Developing a wider vision for this large heritage and nature site.

The focus had been on the listed heritage, where Mary Queen of Scots was held prisoner. However, the whole site also included landscape, nature trails, valley views, outdoor sculpture and a research centre that develops urban meadows.

A start point was to mentor management and staff through a complete review of existing and potential audiences and then to explore what the Lodge could provide to match what audiences wanted. We also audited the visitor experience across the different elements of a visit.

We then produced a Site Development Strategy with recommendations for developing new visitor offers and expanding existing offers, improvements across the whole site, proposals for main income opportunities, retail sales across site, increasing venue hire, and new income streams.

The Lodge has used this as the basis for a change of direction and to build future resilience.