Blackness Strategic Tourism and Infrastructure Development Plan
Client: Historic Environment Scotland and Falkirk Council
Planning Solutions Consulting was commissioned to prepare a Strategic Tourism and Infrastructure Development Plan for Blackness, on the Firth of Forth in Scotland, with a focus on visitor management.
Project Background
Blackness is located on the Firth of Forth, offering views of the bridges, coastal walks, a beach, and the natural environment of the Forth shoreline, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Blackness is home to Blackness Castle, which has seen significant growth in visitor numbers after being used as a filming location for Outlander and several other productions. The John Muir Way and National Cycle Route No.76 also pass through Blackness, making it a popular destination for both local and visiting tourists.
Visitor Management Challenges
The combination of a well-known filming location, protected natural environment, and popular walking and cycling routes presents a number of visitor management challenges for Blackness. Balancing growing visitor numbers with managing impacts on the host community and protection of the site’s environmental and cultural significance was a central focus of the project.
Our Approach
Planning Solutions Consulting carried out an extensive programme of community engagement and stakeholder consultation, alongside a review of relevant case examples and desktop research into wider market trends. This work fed into a Strategic Tourism and Infrastructure Development Plan that set out a clear vision and practical opportunities to mininise negative impacts on the host community alongside enhancing both the visitor experience.
Responsible Tourism Objectives
The plan is underpinned by four responsible tourism objectives for infrastructure development:
- Environmental sustainability
- Economic sustainability
- Cultural sustainability
- Social sustainability
We have worked on a range of tourism, heritage and visitor experience projects across Scotland and wider visitor management planning projects.
How Can We Help?
If you have any questions about preparing a Strategic Tourism and Infrastructure Development Plan, please don’t hesitate to call Richard Linington on 07866 742628 or email richard@pslplan.co.uk.
PSC has extensive experience helping heritage bodies, local authorities, and destination partnerships manage the pressures that come with rising visitor numbers, particularly at sites with significant cultural, environmental, or media-driven appeal. Whether you’re dealing with the impact of increased footfall from a popular filming location, protecting a sensitive natural environment, or balancing community needs with tourism growth, our team can help you develop a practical, deliverable plan that supports long-term sustainability.