Press release

Queen Margaret students find out what people love about East Lothian

Students from Queen Margaret University will be taking part in a ‘Wish you were there’ event in Edinburgh’s city centre in a bid to find out what local people love about East Lothian.

The event management students will use mini video cameras to capture people’s views on the county – what they like, as well as their awareness and satisfaction of what East Lothian has to offer.

Devised by East Lothian Council, the two week ‘Wish you were there’ initiative aims to encourage more Edinburgh locals and Festival visitors to come along and make the most of many of the county’s fantastic hospitality and tourism attractions.

The event, which will take place in the city’s St Andrew Square, will involve a wide variety of East Lothian businesses and tourist attractions including the Seabird Centre, The Brunton Theatre and the East Fortune Museum of Flight. The two week programme will also showcase the very best of East Lothian’s food and drink, with cookery demonstrations from John Paul at the Macdonald Marine Hotel and other celebrated culinary experts. Golf taster sessions, pony rides and even a temporary miniature beach will not only ensure that there’s something for everyone, but will serve as a reminder as to some of the incredible attractions that East Lothian is well known for.

Professor Joe Goldblatt, an international events expert and Director of Queen Margaret University’s International Centre for the Study of Planned Events, explained: “We are delighted to take part in this celebration of East Lothian and help capture the essence of what people enjoy about the county. The University will upload the video clips of the feedback onto You tube so that others can get recommendations about great things to experience in East Lothian - be that golf, other sporting events, arts festivals, quality local food, local restaurants, hotels or other leisure pursuits.”

He continued: “So many people are attracted to the buzz of Edinburgh’s city centre during the festival, but this is an important exercise in reminding the Edinburgh public, as well as visitors from further afield, about the quality and variety of the East Lothian offering. It’s also an excellent learning opportunity for event management students to take part in an imaginative and exciting promotional spectacle, and to create an easily accessible social media source where people can share their enthusiasm for one of Scotland’s most beautiful counties.”

Rosalyn Marshall, Vice Principal of Queen Margaret University, concluded: “ As one of our academic flagships is Sustainable Business, o ur involvement with this initiative exemplifies Queen Margaret University’s ambition to assist our local community in East Lothian to grow and develop its businesses, especially in tourism and hospitality.”

‘Wish you were there’ opens at St Andrew Square, Edinburgh at 8am on Wednesday 1 August and activities will run from 8am – 8pm each day until Tuesday 14 August. Entry is free.

ENDS

Notes to editor:

• Queen Margaret specialises in professional education and research that informs the development of policy and practice in health, drama & creative arts, media & social science and business & enterprise. The expert knowledge developed at Queen Margaret touches people's everyday lives.

• First, third and fourth year QMU students are participating in the recordings.

ENDS

For further media information please contact Lynne Russell, Press and PR Officer, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, tel: 0131 474 0000, mob: 07711 011239, Email: lrussell@qmu.ac.uk or Jill Mackay, Media Manager, East Lothian Council, T: 01620 827743, E:jmackay@eastlothian.gov.uk