Improving tourism along the Laich coastline is the aim of a new initiative launched this week by community representatives in Burghead, Hopeman and Lossiemouth.
The representatives from community councils and the Hopeman Community Association joined other interested individuals in a meeting to discuss a joint approach to tourism issues.
Joining the community representatives at the Bothy in Burghead were all three Heldon & Laich councillor’s on the Moray Council, MoraySpeyside Tourism operations manager Cameron Taylor and Jim Royan, the former chairman of the Moray Economic Partnership.
The meeting was organised by Burghead & Cummingston community councillor Joan Megson, who said: “Since the new community councils were elected last year there has been a clear desire for our councils and the Hopeman Community Association to come together and seek a joint approach on the future of Tourism along our coastline.
“We have such a fantastic coastline that is recognised the world over as one filled with natural beauty – but there was a clear belief that we were not taking full advantage of this and it was time to take more direct action.”
Following presentations by Cameron Taylor on MoraySpeyside tourism and by Jim Royan on the unique history of the coastline, representatives are now more determined than ever to improve and promote facilities along the entire Laich Coastline.
Also attending was the editor of insideMoray, Stuart Crowther, who is also a community councillor in Lossiemouth and secretary of the recently formed Lossiemouth Community Development Trust.
He said: “Jim Royan drew a fascinating picture of Moray’s history that currently very few visitors to the region are likely to know about.
“Cameron Taylor has already done a great deal of work in improving the marketing of Moray as a Tourist destination.
“We are all convinced that we can work together in attracting many more tourists to our coastal communities – and in so doing improve our own environment and increase the business and financial growth of the Laich coast.”
A second meeting has been arranged for November where community representatives aim to formalise the creation of a joint group to take the issue forward.