The creation of a tasty town trail has been praised in the Scottish Parliament.
The Kirky Cake and Coffee Trail in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, was one of three launched across the country during Scotland Loves Local Week.
It is part of a pilot project involving Scotland’s Improvement Districts (SIDs) technology firm Vicinity to help showcase communities and encourage people to embrace the businesses in them.
The Kirky Cake and Coffee Trail has been launched with Kirkintilloch Business Improvement District (BID), celebrating the rich menu of places in which residents and visitors can enjoy a bite to eat.
Its development has been praised in a Scottish Parliament motion laid down by West Scotland MSP Pam Gosal.
That motion, which has secured cross-party support, states: “That the Parliament commends the efforts of Kirkintilloch Business Improvement District (BID) in creating the Kirky Cake and Coffee Trail; believes that the trail app will help users navigate the trail and in turn support local hospitality businesses; notes that the pilot project is supported by tech company, Vicinity, and Scotland’s Improvement Districts (SIDs) as part of Scotland Loves Local Week; understands that the digital town trail will show how much there is to enjoy in the local area, for locals and visitors alike, and wishes the team every success in the initiative.”
Scotland Loves Local Week took place from August 26 until September 1. It was supported by BIDs, politicians of all parties, local authorities and other organisations across the country and was a huge success in championing the message for people to choose local and help regional economies to grow by putting the businesses in them first.
It is spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), which is also the parent organisation of SIDs.
The town trails developed in partnership with Vicinity were launched during the week by improvement districts in Alloa in Clackmannanshire and Linlithgow, West Lothian, as well as Kirkintilloch.
Read more: Coffee, cake and cocktails – New town trails are a real taste treat
Kirkintilloch is one of Scotland’s newest improvement districts.
Speaking as the trail was launched, Colin Barrows, the BID’s joint project manager who has been working with businesses on the trail, said: “What better way to work your way around that town than sampling coffee and cake as you go?
“Kirkintilloch has some great places to eat – and we hope that the trail is a great way to shine a spotlight on them.
“The digital town trail lays on a plate just how much there is to enjoy here, for locals and visitors alike who can come time and again until they’ve completed the trail – while also enjoying a flavour of what more the town has to offer.”
To access the trails, download the LoyalFree app from your app store.
Vicinity specialises in supporting the place management sector through innovative digital solutions.
Read more: Toasting the gift of local – ‘Protect jobs and give our communities a brighter future’
Two other motions were also lodged in the Scottish Parliament celebrating Scotland Loves Local Week. The next Scotland Loves Local Week will take place from August 25th 2025. To find out how you can get involved, please email [email protected].
