20 YEARS OF Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

Romantic Scotland and the age-old romance of Bollywood are the perfect match. Bollywood film-makers have an enduring love affair with the city. Over 20 Bollywood film-makers have chosen to make Scotland a star in their movies next to Bollywood megastars including former Miss World Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan.
2018 will be the perfect opportunity to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the release of the iconic movie Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, of which the title song was shot in Scotland. 

V&A Dundee

Scheduled to open in the second half of 2018, the V&A Museum of Design Dundee will be the only V&A museum anywhere in the world outside London. It will be the first ever dedicated design museum in Scotland: an international centre for design, a place of inspiration, discovery and learning.
Visitors to V&A Dundee will experience the story of design past, present and future in a Scottish and global context, as well as the processes which underpin design and the inventive objects which tell that story.

Snow Roads Scenic Route, Cairngorms National Park

The Snow Roads Scenic Route is a 90 mile journey from Blairgowrie to Grantown-on-Spey, crossing the highest public road in Britain and travelling through the landscapes of the eastern Cairngorms.
The road links the communities of Braemar, Ballater and Tomintoul with a range of natural and cultural attractions. Three scenic route installations provide new opportunities to stop and explore this wild and beautiful highland countryside.

Fingal – The Royal Yacht Britannia’s New Floating Hotel

Launching in spring 2018, this major investment by the Royal Yacht Britannia will provide a luxury experience: a floating hotel berthed at The Shore, Edinburgh. The 23 styled cabins, all named after Stevenson lighthouses, are inspired by Fingal’s rich maritime heritage. With a cabin for every occasion - guests will be able to choose their own private balcony, a duplex cabin or, for that special occasion the presidential suite.

Year of Young People

In 2018, Scotland puts its young people in the spotlight, celebrating their talents, contributions and creating new opportunities for them to shine. The Year of Young People 2018 will offer even more opportunities for both locals and visitors to enjoy a trip to and around, Scotland.
From adventure breaks to road trips, camping holidays to family-friendly days out, there is a range of fantastic things to see and do for young people and their families to enjoy.

CONNECTIVITY

The development of one-stop connectivity for Indian visitors directly into Scotland as a result of flights via the Middle East with Etihad, Qatar Airways and Emirates. The fierce competition between these airlines results in value constantly improving for the consumer.

LUXURY SCOTLAND

Experiencing Scotland’s offerings has become much more affordable thanks to the favourable currency exchange- in 2018 the focus will be on spreading the word about Scottish experiences, such as unforgettable castle stays, whisky experiences, gardens and National Parks and off the beaten track touring opportunities for those wo wish to explore the beautiful country.

The Dunstane Houses Outlander trail

To celebrate the recent launch of Outlander Season 3 and the upcoming release of Outlander Season 4 next Autumn, The Dunstane Houses have created a new tour. The bespoke 2-day tours will take in key sites from the show including Midhope Castle and Blackness Castle as well as Lallybroch, Linlithgow Palace, Preston Mill, Craigmillar Castle and Hopetoun House.

Kirkcudbright Galleries

The new Kirkcudbright Galleries are opening 24 March 2018. The B listed, 19th century building is located on St Mary Street, in the heart of Kirkcudbright’s town centre and within the inspirational landscape of Dumfries and Galloway. The new gallery will celebrate the town’s unique artistic heritage, through a dedicated permanent exhibition gallery. This exhibition will explore the history of the artist’s colony, including why Kirkcudbright was and still is a desirable location for so many artists and creative people.

Celtic Connections’ 25th Anniversary

Returning for its 25th anniversary in 2018, Celtic Connections –Scotland’s largest winter music festival- will be filling the city of Glasgow with music and entertainment for two weeks. The opening gala celebrates the history of the festival with a variety of artists who have featured prominently over the years, reflecting such Celtic Connections hallmarks as its multi-generational breadth, its internationalism and it’s collaborative, cross-genre spirit.
With pianist David Milligan – one of 1994’s original performers – as musical director, expect plenty of mixing and matching among the cast, creating a wealth of fresh connections as well as aptly session-style festivity.

Mackintosh 150th Anniversary

A major exhibition celebrating the work of one of Glasgow’s great artists will happen in 2018, to coincide with the anniversary of his birth. Little-seen Charles Rennie Mackintosh objects from the city’s collection will go on display at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum - part of a city-wide celebration of the architect and designer. His work can be seen across the city; at Scotland Street School, The Willow Tearooms and House for an Art Lover. There will also be a fully conserved tearoom, the Oak Room, put on display at V&A Dundee.

Muriel Spark 100th Anniversary

Led by the National Library of Scotland and Creative Scotland, with the collaboration of many more partner organisations, the Muriel Spark 100 programme celebrates the life and literary achievements of one of Scotland’s finest internationally respected writers. The programme boasts a series of events throughout 2018, including talks, exhibitions, readings, publications and screenings.

Images: Creative Commons.