The Islands Community Tourism Learning and Networking Programme helps island communities develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to support sustainable tourism that benefits local people, businesses and places.
Delivered on behalf of the Scottish Government, the programme consists of 11 interactive online workshops led by the Scottish Community Tourism Network (SCOTO CIC). Participants will explore topics including community-led tourism, governance and partnerships, destination development, visitor management, sustainability and measuring impact, while connecting with other island communities across Scotland.
Anyone attending these online interactive workshops will be able to apply for a funded place on a four-day learning journey to Orkney in March 2027. This will be a great opportunity to learn from successful community-led tourism initiatives and attend the Scottish Community Tourism Gathering.
The programme is suitable for a broad range of island organisations and individuals, including:
community organisations
development trusts
community councils
tourism businesses
sole traders
voluntary groups
individuals involved in community tourism development
Participants will:
gain practical knowledge and skills to support community-led tourism
learn from community tourism examples from across Scotland
connect with other island communities and share experiences
explore ways to maximise the benefits of tourism for local people and places
build confidence in planning and supporting local tourism initiatives
The programme is free to join.
Online workshops take place on Thursday mornings, starting on 29 October 2026 to 25 February 2027.
There are 20 places available for each workshop. Browse the full programme below and register for the individual sessions you're interested in attending. You can sign up for as many workshops as you'd like, subject to availability.
See below for the full schedule of webinars
Secure your place on the full programme or book individual workshops that match your interests and needs.
Part of the Islands Community Tourism Learning and Networking Programme, this online session is about how local ownership, participation and decision-making helps tourism create lasting benefits.
Part of the Islands Community Tourism Learning and Networking Programme, in this online workshop you'll learn how to influence tourism planning and build effective local partnerships.
Explore how to strengthen your island as a destination by addressing local tourism challenges, enhancing visitor experiences and identifying community-led opportunities.
Part of the Islands Community Tourism Learning and Networking Programme, this online session is about what makes our islands special and how to bring that to life for visitors.
Part of the Islands Community Tourism Learning and Networking Programme, this online session is about identifying the markets that best align with values, assets and community capacity.
Part of the Islands Community Tourism Learning and Networking Programme, this online session is about understanding tensions and ways to ensure tourism works for communities and visitors.
Part of the Islands Community Tourism Learning and Networking Programme, this online session is about creating viable visitor experiences.
Part of the Islands Community Tourism Learning and Networking Programme, this online session is about how tourism can create economic, social, cultural and environmental value.
Part of the Islands Community Tourism Learning and Networking Programme, this online session is about viable and ethical community tourism enterprises.
Part of the Islands Community Tourism Learning and Networking Programme, this online session is about measuring the impacts.
Part of the Islands Community Tourism Learning and Networking Programme, this online session is about bringing the programme learning together into a practical, community-led tourism action plan.
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