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Festival of the Sea comes to Scotland
02/10/2002
Almost 200,000 visitors from across the globe are expected to descend on Leith next May when Scotland plays host to the Fourth International Festival of the Sea.
The celebration of Scotland's maritime heritage will draw a wide range of international participants. Leith Harbour will be lined with vintage and contemporary ships, many open to the public to provide an opportunity for visitors to gain a first hand impression of life at sea. The four-day event is anticipated to generate an estimated £10 million in tourist spend.
Speaking on the Dutch Clipper Stad Amsterdam, which will take part in the event, The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Mike Watson said:
"Scotland has a long and cherished maritime heritage. Over the centuries we have been a nation of explorers, of fishermen, of ship builders, of oilmen. Our history and culture is closely connected to the sea that surrounds us.
"I am excited by the range and diversity of attractions that are proposed as part of the Festival - there will be wonderful Tall Ships like this one, opportunities to taste some of our excellent Scottish sea food and experience our unique cultural life.
"The International Festival of the Sea will be a great event for Scotland. It will attract many visitors from across the globe to come and see what our country has to offer. This is precisely the kind of event the Scottish Executive wants to attract to Scotland - our Major Events strategy will help to ensure that this is one of many significant events to come to Scotland in coming years."
The Fourth International Festival of the Sea will be held at the Port of Leith from 23 - 26 May 2003. The first Festival of the Sea took place in Bristol in 1996 and has been held twice in Portsmouth since then.
The festival in Leith will extend 1.2km along the port and is being supported by Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothians, The City of Edinburgh Council, VisitScotland, The Royal Navy and title sponsors Forth Ports PLC.
The International Festival of the Sea Edinburgh 2003 has, as patron, Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, who will hold a reception later today in honour of the event.