Lead the trail

Town trails and competitions are a fantastic way of helping locals and visitors alike, to move around the town in a way that benefits the local retail, service and leisure offering.

Not only are they a fun and engaging way for people to navigate and get to know the town, trails can help spread visitors, encourage exploration and walking, enhance the visitor experience and can increase dwell time.

Many town are embracing digitally accessible trails, extending the reach and reliability and no longer relying on paper trails which quickly become out of date and have associated printing costs. They still connect people with places of interest, attractions, shops and cafes on a planned route but with the opportunity to share new information, perks and to collect data easily.

Alloa, Kirkintilloch and Linlithgow Business Improvement Districts teamed up with Vicinity during Scotland Loves Local Week 2024 to offer new digital journeys of discovery for the perfect places to eat, drink and be entertained in each of the communities.

Alloa’s Toast and Taste guide, Kirkintilloch’s Kirky Cake and Coffee Trail and Coffee and Cake in Linlithgow all harnessed and showcased the rich menu of food, drink, leisure and hospitality businesses – key ingredients in the recipe of success for towns.

These trails were designed to drive footfall and celebrate all things local during Scotland Loves Local Week but providing interesting trails can be a year round activity. They could be linked to events, used and promoted through shoulder seasons where driving footfall and spend becomes event more important. The opportunities for town trails are endless and are worth considering in any place.