DUNFERMLINE and West Fife’s Local Tourism Association plan to capitalise on the boost in visitor numbers caused by the area being used as a setting in the new Outlander TV series.

Outlander is based upon a series of best-selling books by Diana Gabaldon and is set in the Scottish Highlands, but many of the filming locations are in central Scotland with four in Fife at Culross, Limekilns, Charlestown and in Falkland.

The series has recently launched in the USA with dates of its UK broadcast still to be announced. However foreign visitor interest has been ‘growing steadily’ in recent months according to the tourism association.

Alistair Bruce, general manager of the Best Western Plus Keavil House Hotel and chair of the Dunfermline and West Fife LTA, said, “We have been discussing the potential which this recently launched American TV series may have for our local tourism.

“We know from local visitor businesses and tour companies that the interest is starting to grow already, and the purpose of the project is to raise awareness amongst all of our members to ensure that we give the best possible welcome to visitors.

“Our national tourism body VisitScotland has already recognised the potential tourism benefit, and in Dunfermline and West Fife we are keen to take early steps to ensure benefit for our local businesses through the creation of a special promotional project that can tie in the many existing attractions of the area with this new opportunity to promote Fife.” This plan by Dunfermline and West Fife LTA follows the success of the Cruise Project which over the last three years attracted more than 3000 visitors to Dunfermline from cruise ships calling at Rosyth, the association has also supported the development of the Fife Pilgrimage Project.