A popular music and arts venue in New Galloway which was originally an 18th century school is top of the class again having scooped an award from VisitScotland.
The CatStrand was recently awarded a Five Star Quality Assurance (QA) Award from VisitScotland in recognition of its exceptional high standards. The café, gallery and music and arts venue started life as a school in 1743, serving the local community until 1964.
Following short periods of time as a knitting factory and Masonic Hall, the building became vacant in the 1990s before being transformed by the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust into the centre for community and cultural activities that it is today.
Named after the small stream that runs under the building, the centre hosts a varied music, arts and exhibition programme, as well as a café and meeting and conference facilities.
Brian Edgar, General Manager from CatStrand, said: “We are delighted to receive the Five Star Arts Venue award from VisitScotland. Receiving the Five Star Award demonstrates the high standards and commitment we offer to our visitors to ensure their experience is the very best. There really is something for everyone here and in the Dumfries & Galloway region as a whole.”
VisitScotland Regional Director, Doug Wilson, said: “It is fantastic to see Dumfries & Galloway’s tourism offering enhanced by The CatStrand’s well-deserved achievement. Having high quality local businesses on offer to our visitors is important. It strengthens our tourism offering and increases our marketability of Dumfries & Galloway as a superb destination with a varied and exciting range of things to see and do.”
Developed and improved over the past four decades, VisitScotland’s Quality Assurance schemes are world leading. They provide a trusted, independent and impartial source of information for visitors, as well as the businesses taking part.
Enabling businesses to not just meet visitor expectations but exceed them, they are delivered by a dedicated team of experts who offer valuable business advice and support. The scheme is not just about driving standards; it aims to help businesses reach their full potential so they can reap the benefits and secure their success. That in turn delivers benefits for the economy of their region and for Scotland’s tourism industry.
For more information on The CatStrand visit: www.catstrand.com For more information on VisitScotland’s Quality Assurance scheme, please visit www.visitscotland.org/quality_assurance.aspx
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