This event explores the delivery of family history, genealogy and heritage in Scotland, to both national and international tourists. The aim is to bring together tourism professionals, amateur and professional genealogists, tourists and other stakeholders interested in this area of Scottish tourism. You will hear from a range of speakers involved in the delivery of ancestral tourism and beyond, including recent University of Strathclyde research projects from the Department of Marketing and the Centre for Lifelong Learning.

Registration will take place from 9:45 am and the event will start at 10:30am.

The afternoon session will be divided into two parallel tracks with both a practitioners workshop and ‘ask the experts’ session offered.   

Workshop A - Digitising the Ancestral Visit

Delivering a successful Ancestral Tourism experience is dependent on a range of factors; from those supplied by the visitor, to the time and resources available to a wide range of Tourism specific and other non-tourist specific providers. This workshop seeks to explore how digital solutions might generate, facilitate and improve experiences for Ancestral Tourists and further develop this important tourism market for Scotland.

Workshop B - Ask the Experts

Genealogy and family history research is an empowering interest, but sooner or later expert help will need to be sought.  This session is suitable for both the beginner and seasoned family historian. Experts will be on hand to help kick start research into your family history or if you have hit a brick wall, provide direction on how to make progress.  

Displays of recent research using genetic genealogy and more traditional methods to trace the families of the warriors at Bannockburn as well as information on useful Scottish genealogical sources will provide new insights to family historians.

This event is free to attend with refreshments and lunch provided. 

At registration you will have the option to select a full or half day registration and sign up for one of the parallel sessions.

If you are intending to attend only the afternoon workshop please join the event for lunch and registration from 1.00pm and the session will start at 2.00pm.