VisitScotland, today (Sunday 13th February) officially launched a new website www.seascotland.com to celebrate Scotland�s relationship with its sea and inland waterways as part of a year long campaign to promote Scotland�s many maritime events, festivals and diverse range of water based activities available throughout the country.

The website actively supports the SeaBritain2005 campaign that marks the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. Island hopping, cliff-top safaris, wreck diving, whale watching, kite-surfing, barging and seafood festivals are just some of the activities that can be found in Scotland, home to Britain�s longest coastline and over 700 islands.

Popular Television and Radio Presenter, Edith Bowman, who has just been nominated for an NME award, today returned to her home of Anstruther to head up the helm on the campaign. She said:

�I've been born and bred in Anstruther and it�s being away that I appreciate how lucky I am to have lived in this part of the world. It�s a far cry from the hustle and bustle of London life and I have always felt very proud of where I am from. Scotland not only has a beautiful coastline, but also has fantastic islands and secluded beaches, not to mention some of the freshest and best seafood�.

�I�m delighted to champion the new website seascotland.com that details exactly what people can get involved in around the country and advises on some great accommodation deals so they can make the most of their visit to Scotland�.

Over 150 events will be listed on the site by spring alongside late deals with up to 60% off a variety of accommodation and information on water themed visitor attractions. Just some of the events highlighted on the site include the Glasgow River Festival (23rd/24th July) the Traditional Boat Festival in Portsoy (2nd-4thJuly) and the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo (5th-27th Aug) which will run a unique nautical theme for this year only.

Chris Lynch, Marketing Manager, VisitScotland said:

�As Scotland possesses over two thirds of all Britain�s coastline and is home to famous lochs, rivers and canals, we have an amazing amount of water based attractions and events to offer. The SeaScotland celebration gives us a focal point to bring them together in 2005 and entice visitors to add a water element to their trips. The new website www.seascotland.com provides a central place to check out event and attraction details, to keep up to date on news and to book accommodation, including unusual places to stay such as lighthouses and island retreats�.

By surfing onto the website people also have the chance to win competitions such as a two night break in a four star Apex Hotel in Dundee�s quayside, including a private tour of the city�s leading maritime attractions � Sir Walter Scott�s RRS Discovery and the Frigate Unicorn plus an exclusive seafood dinner at the hotel�s award winning restaurant.

-ENDS-

For more press information or interviews for the SeaScotland campaign please contact Sharon Makepeace on 0131 472 2321 / 07771 981 236 sharon.makepeace@visitscotland.com or log onto www.seascotland.com

Notes to Editors:

SeaScotland is a year long campaign running throughout 2005 in support of the SeaBritain2005 campaign marking the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

VisitScotland is Scotland�s National Tourism Agency. For more information on visiting Scotland log onto visitscotland.com or call VisitScotland�s National Booking & Information Line on 0845 22 55 121

Tourism is one of Scotland�s largest industries. It employs 197, 000 (9% of the workforce and 13% of the Highlands and Islands workforce) and it injects �4.5 billion annually into the Scottish economy (5% GDP).

Tourism pays the wages of more people than in oil, gas and whisky industries combined and employs over four times more than agriculture/fishing.

For every �1 VisitScotland spends on promotion �12 generated in return on behalf of Scotland�s tourism agency.

Edith Bowman Biography

A full version can be sent on request:

Professional: � Colin & Edith � Weekdays 1pm-4pm Radio One � Glastonbury Calling � BBC3 � Top of the Pops � BBC 1 � Co-presented MTV�s Hitlist UK with partner-in-crime Cat Deeley as well as Capital FM�s Cat & Edith�s Hit Music Sunday � Globe-trekking for BBC2�s Rough Guide To The World, taking in the sights of New Zealand, Japan, Barcelona and Stockholm. � Presented BBC2 / BBC Choice�s coverage of The Notting Hill Carnival � Sky One�s Big Bash Comedy Awards � Filmspotting � FilmFour � Party in the Park � ITV / ITV2

Personal � Scottish-born natural blonde � Chambermaid and moonlighting singer with the house band at her parents hotel in Anstruther � Despite her incredible fame, still serves up the hotel�s Christmas dinner every year!