Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP

Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP (Lothians) (SNP) has tabled a Parliamentary Motion congratulating Edinburgh on being named the Best UK Port of Call in the 2009 CruiseCritic.co.uk Editors’ Picks Awards.

The awards, introduced for the first time this year, celebrate the best of the best in cruising. Significant aspects of the city including its historic structures and natural setting made the Editor-in-Chief claim that Edinburgh is a ‘marquee destination on any itinerary’.

Ms Somerville said:

This is great news for the capital. Cruises bring great economic, tourist and cultural benefits Edinburgh and the Lothians.

This award recognises the unique quality Edinburgh has as a destination and the increase in visiting cruise passengers to the city highlights this.

Tourism is a growing and crucial aspect of Scotland’s capital and I welcome the Cruise Edinburgh initiative which has been set up with support from a number of private sector members including; Forth Ports, Historic Scotland and Edinburgh World Heritage. I look forward to seeing many more cruise ships docking in Leith."

Published - March 2010