West Fife 'best value day out in Scotland' say festival organisers

Published 20 Jul 2011 07:30 3 Comments

ORGANISERS of Dunfermline's Bruce Festival have claimed that the event is Scotland's best value for money family day out.

"Scotland has some great events," said Susan Hughes, chief executive of Dunfermline Delivers, organisers of the Bruce Festival, "But when you analyse the cost of a family day out some events are becoming unaffordable.

"By the time you add up ticket prices, car parking, food and drink, activities and a programme, you can easily be spending between £50-100 for a family of four.

"The main event at the Bruce Festival, the medieval village, is completely free of charge.

"It gives visitors the chance to enjoy a weekend of entertainment - battle re-enactments, crafts, family activities, demonstrations, story-telling - in a picturesque venue without worrying about the cost."

Adult tickets to the Traquair Festival in the Borders start at £19, it's £11 for adult admission to Historic Scotland's Celebration of the Centuries near Inverness and £7 for the Festival of History at Lanark.

The Bruce Festival is the cornerstone of Dunfermline's claim to be the modern-day home to the story of Robert the Bruce, with the legendary King buried in the city's Abbey.

With funding from EventScotland, Fife Council and several private sponsors, its vibrant recreation of medieval Scotland aims to reinvigorate Scotland's ancient capital as a stopping-off point for tourists.

Alistair Bruce, manager of the Best Western Plus Keavil House Hotel and chairman of the West Fife Local Tourism Association, said, "The Bruce Festival is unique in offering so much to people without having to pay an admission fee.

"This part of Scotland is often overlooked as a visitor destination but the Bruce Festival gives us a chance to showcase the heritage, attractions and natural beauty that we have here in West Fife."

Gifford Bruce, managing director of the Alfred Stewart Property Foundation, the Bruce Festival's main private sponsor, said, "The Festival has its roots in the local community and by keeping the main weekend event free to the public, even with the event's increasingly wide profile, maintains that essential local connection."

Linda Temple, Fife Council's events strategy co-ordinator, said, "There are hundreds of events in Fife which are free for families to attend and due to the wide range of different types of events being held in nearly every hamlet, village and large town across Fife, there really is no excuse for having 'nothing to do' over the summer."

The Bruce Festival takes place in Dunfermline from 26-28th August. The weekend festival also includes several separate shows, concerts and a medieval banquet that are ticketed.

Details of the 2011 Bruce Festival are available from visitdunfermline.com/brucefestival.

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• 

  traquair
  Unregistered User
  Jul 20, 15:49
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  I was slightly aghast to see Traquair Festival (Traquair Fair being the correct title) mentioned in your article as an expensive family event. The cost of events should be assessed by their value for money. Traquair Fair offers a line up of over 40 acts including world music, theatre, children's entertainment & shows, workshops, dance, storytelling as well as entry to the house itself all included in your ticket price. A family ticket (up to 3 children) at the cost of £46.00 with everything included I believe is remarkable good value for money. The Fair is a non-profit making event relying on a small amount of sponsors to keep us going. As we are coming up for our 31st year our visitors would seem to agree we have the formula right. The organisers of the Bruce Festival would be better advised working with other events in Scotland and promoting all the good things that are happenning rather than trying to claim they are the best value.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 9     No 5

• 

  giz a job
  Unregistered User
  Jul 25, 23:04
  Report comment

  Don't tempt me....
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  Jake E Bassa
  Unregistered User
  Jul 26, 23:11
  Report comment

  That's a bit like me saying am the brawest man in the toon, which i am by tha wey, un dinnae you forget it.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 1

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