CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

To the Mooooon and back

VisitScotland announces world's first Highland Coosmonaut to celebrate its 50th year!

To the Mooooon and back

Article Source: VisitScotland
Last Updated: 29 May 2019 14:21

The world’s first-ever Highland Coosmonaut is set to be launched into ‘near space’ as part of a new tourism campaign announced by VisitScotland, to celebrate Scotland’s connection to the first Moonwalk.

Primary school-aged children across Inverclyde are being invited by the national tourism organisation to name the heroic cuddly toy Highland coo (Scots word for cow) which will be sent almost 40,000 metres into the stratosphere wearing a Clan Armstrong tartan spacesuit.

The Scotland is Out of this World campaign will mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission and US astronaut Neil Armstrong’s historic walk on the lunar surface as well as the 50th anniversary of VisitScotland.

Ohio-born Neil Armstrong was said to be proud of his Scottish heritage. The ancestral home of Clan Armstrong is Langholm in Dumfries and Galloway and in 1972 he become the town’s first and only Freeman.

On accepting the honour, Armstrong told the gathered audience: “It’s said that the most difficult place to be recognised is in one’s own home town. And I consider this, now, my home town.”

Scotland is Out of this World is among a series of activities created this year to mark VisitScotland’s 50th anniversary. The Development of Tourism Act came into force in 1969 – the same year as the Moon landing – and an official Scottish Tourist Board was established with government funding.

The tourism campaign was announced at Langholm Primary School. Over the next four weeks, the public can track the Highland Coosmonaut’s training regime in a series of films on social media using the hashtag #Coosmonaut. The campaign will explore Scotland’s links to space exploration, innovation and astronomy and a visitor trail focusing on those links is also planned.

VisitScotland has teamed up with Sent Into Space to send the toy Highland cow into the sky attached to a weather balloon – with footage of its journey released in time for the Moon landing’s anniversary.

Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins formed the three-man NASA mission which set off on 16 July 1969, to land on the surface of the Moon. On 20 July 1969, Armstrong and Aldrin touched down on the lunar surface.

Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: “For 50 years VisitScotland has helped position Scotland as a must-visit destination to audiences across the world but our latest campaign could be described as truly ‘out of this world’.

“The impact of tourism goes far beyond the holiday experience. It is vital to the Scottish economy, reaching every corner of the country, creating jobs, income and social change.

“The Scotland is Out of this World campaign is an opportunity to delve into the past and celebrate our country’s ancestral links to one of the greatest moments in history, as well as explore the innovations and attractions that engage with audiences fascinated with the night sky.”

Travel guide publisher, Lonely Planet, has identified dark skies as a tourism trend for 2019. VisitScotland’s Insight team has created a research paper examining the opportunities for tourism businesses in Scotland to engage with the trend.

Galloway Forest Park in Dumfries and Galloway and Tomintoul and Glenlivet in Cairngorms National Park are two of only 15 International Dark Sky Parks in Europe. It means they are some of the best places on Earth to study the sky at night. The Isle of Coll was also Europe’s first “Dark Sky Island” and Moffat, in Dumfries and Galloway, was its first “Dark Sky Town”.

The International Dark-Sky Association which certifies International Dark Sky Parks defines the term as “a land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment”.

The Name the Highland Coosmonaut competition will run until 23:59 on Sunday, 16 June 2019. For more on the campaign and to enter the competition, go to visitscotland.com/out-of-this-world

Sponsored Links

Three Rivers Festival
Open Pass Scotland
Renfrewshire Council

Latest Stirling News

Grow Your Own flowers, fruits, and veg at Dobbies Garden Centres

Grow Your Own flowers, fruits, and veg at Dobbies Garden Centres

Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a free Grow Your Own workshop this August, where attendees will learn top tips for growing fruit, vegetables and flowers at home.

READ MORE
Jazz legend sets the tone as the vibrant music scene in Stirling continues to thrive

Jazz legend sets the tone as the vibrant music scene in Stirling continues to thrive

Stirling's vibrant cultural and music scene is continuing to thrive with the launch of a new piano lounge in the historic Golden Lion Hotel.

READ MORE
Consultation goes live on draft Visitor Levy scheme for Stirling

Consultation goes live on draft Visitor Levy scheme for Stirling

Stirling Council is asking for feedback on a draft Visitor Levy scheme for the area as a public consultation goes live today.

READ MORE
Gnoss release stirring new single Emily ahead of international festival run

Gnoss release stirring new single Emily ahead of international festival run

Acclaimed Scottish folk four-piece Gnoss are back with a brand-new single ‘Emily’ set for release on Friday 25th July!

READ MORE
Stirling Photography Festival launches its 2025 theme... Beyond

Stirling Photography Festival launches its 2025 theme... Beyond

Stirling's annual Photography Festival will return for an eighth year with the theme of 'Beyond' and featuring major exhibitions from three award-winning photographers.

READ MORE
Dinosaur Day at Dobbies

Dinosaur Day at Dobbies

Children attending Dobbies Little Seedlings Club will get the chance to travel back hundreds of millions of years to learn about prehistoric plants and talk about their favourite dinosaurs!

READ MORE
Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched

Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched

PubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.

READ MORE
Electric Boat Launch Event at the Falkirk Wheel

Electric Boat Launch Event at the Falkirk Wheel

The much-loved Antonine passenger vessel, a trip boat serving one of Scotland’s top tourist attractions has received an electrifying makeover.

READ MORE
Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace

Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace

This summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.

READ MORE
Scone Palace International Horse Trials

Scone Palace International Horse Trials

The inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.

READ MORE
Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.

READ MORE
BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.

READ MORE
Plenty of summer family fun at Vue venues across Scotland

Plenty of summer family fun at Vue venues across Scotland

Family favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.

READ MORE
SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

Scotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.

READ MORE
Innis & Gunn Joins Forces with Stirling Highland Games in a 3 Year Cultural Celebration

Innis & Gunn Joins Forces with Stirling Highland Games in a 3 Year Cultural Celebration

The Stirling Highland Games has proudly announced a new three-year partnership with one of Scotland’s most iconic brewing brands, Innis & Gunn.

READ MORE
Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

This summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.

READ MORE
FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July

FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July

Summerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!

READ MORE
Earlybird tickets drive buzz for 2026 Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show

Earlybird tickets drive buzz for 2026 Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show

The biggest show of its kind in Scotland returns with Earlybird tickets and a give-away with headline sponsor Border Caravans!

READ MORE
July events at Dobbies Garden Centres

July events at Dobbies Garden Centres

Check out July at Dobbies with it's Little Seedlings Club on rainforests and Grow How on pest control and healthy gardens!

READ MORE
Historic Environment Scotland calls for public stories for national wellbeing exhibition

Historic Environment Scotland calls for public stories for national wellbeing exhibition

Historic Environment Scotland is calling for people across the country to connect with heritage to boost their wellbeing as a part of a national campaign, Historic Places, Breathing Spaces.

READ MORE
Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 adds two new categories and voting deadline extended!

Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 adds two new categories and voting deadline extended!

Scotland's hospitality industry and customers have spoken, and the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 has listened!

READ MORE
25th year of Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway

25th year of Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway

Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway today, kick-starting nine days of dance performances, film screenings, visual art and photography exhibitions and community events across the country.

READ MORE
Exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland

Exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland

Tickets are on sale for an exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland, with fans in for an extra special treat to take home.

READ MORE
Acclaimed debut Only Here, Only Now from Tom Newlands chosen as Waterstones Book of the Month in Scotland

Acclaimed debut Only Here, Only Now from Tom Newlands chosen as Waterstones Book of the Month in Scotland

The paperback edition of Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands has just been released - and is already making waves.

READ MORE
Feedback sought on new Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling project

Feedback sought on new Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling project

To mark Bike Week UK, people across Stirling are being encouraged to take part in a new survey that will help shape active travel in the area and support the shift to sustainable modes of transport.

READ MORE
Stirling BID team brighten up City Centre with Blooming Planters

Stirling BID team brighten up City Centre with Blooming Planters

Pollinator-friendly plants, funded and organised by Go Forth Stirling BID have added a welcome splash of colour across Stirling city centre.

READ MORE
Funding Boost for Charities at Scottish Building Society AGM

Funding Boost for Charities at Scottish Building Society AGM

Scottish Building Society marked its Annual General Meeting (AGM) by announcing funding to support eight local charities and good causes across the country.

READ MORE
Classic car enthusiasts set to visit Loch Lomond Shores

Classic car enthusiasts set to visit Loch Lomond Shores

Visitors are invited to come along and get up-close to some amazing cars, set against the beautiful backdrop of Loch Lomond, as part of a great day out.

READ MORE
Paws, play and heritage on parade

Paws, play and heritage on parade

Bark by popular demand, the Gordon Setter Parade returns on Saturday 5th July as part of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair, held at the stunning Scone Palace.

READ MORE
Dobbies hosts brand new Fairy Garden Tea Party

Dobbies hosts brand new Fairy Garden Tea Party

Dobbies Garden Centres are inviting families across the UK along to its stores on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th of June to spend a magical afternoon filled with fun activities and good food.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Link
Great Run Company
Hostelworld
ATG

Sponsored Links

Three Rivers Festival
Open Pass Scotland
Renfrewshire Council
Link
Great Run Company
Hostelworld
ATG

Popular Events

Circus Vegas: Stirling
Circus Vegas, a new death-defying circus, is touring the UK 2025 and comes to King's Park, Stirling from 11th to 15th July!
Teen Tuesday - Earrings
Budding young crafters – join us at Central Scotland School of Jewellery on 22nd July for a bite-sized Teens Silver Earrings workshop and learn some basic silver jewellery making skills.
Fused Glass Day Course
Would you like the chance to create your own unique pieces in glass? Then join Shonah in this workshop during her exhibition at Made in Stirling!
Fabulous Musical Art
Get out in nature as a family and make something special to take home as a keepsake at Mugdock Country Park on Sunday 10th August!
Mixed-Media Mosaics on Slate with Rhona Duffy
Create a playful mixed-media artwork for your home or garden in this one-day workshop with Rhona Duffy at Mosaic & Glass!

Popular Listings

Macrobert Arts Centre Stirling Castle The Albert Halls Stirling The National Wallace Monument Tolbooth Stirling