A SCARF worn by one of JK Rowling’s main characters Hermione Grainger in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince has become a bestselling success in VisitScotland iCentres across the country.
The garments were only ever stocked in the St Andrews iCentre in Fife but the national tourism organisation has been forced to start selling the famous Fair Isle scarf, worn by actress Emma Watson, in centres all over Scotland just keep up with demand from visiting Potter fans.
Now visitors and locals will get the chance to meet the maker of the famous scarf, and other local suppliers, as the national tourism organisation launches its new retail initiative, Shop Local, at the St Andrews VisitScotland iCentre today.
Produced by Kirkcaldy-based Alan Santry, the scarf will be showcased alongside other Shop Local suppliers at an open afternoon including Wemyss Ware, Your Piece/Fife Jamming and Scottish Fine Soaps. Initially launched as a pilot in 2016, Shop Local is now being rolled out across the country, offering the opportunity for communities, local businesses, craft makers, artists, designers and others to promote and sell their products to visitors via the VisitScotland iCentre network.
Santry was one of the first suppliers on board during the pilot phase. Based in Fife, Alan’s range was initially only stocked in St Andrews but is now countrywide due to its popularity with the “Harry Potter scarf”, accounting for 50 per cent of his sales.
Feedback from the recent VisitScotland survey suggests that Film Tourism was one of the key factors in influencing international visitors to visit Scotland.
Lynn Jack, head of information and quality at VisitScotland said: “The iCentre in St Andrews has seen great growth in recent times thanks, in part, to some of the amazing Shop Local suppliers on show such as Alan Santry’s ‘Harry Potter scarf’. We hope to be able to replicate this success across the country, providing unique and exclusive local products to showcase talent and businesses.
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