Austrian tourist board visits Scottish village Dull to personally invite locals on trip to Vienna

Delegates from Vienna Tourist Board visited a tiny Perthshire village at the weekend to personally invite all the residents to the Austrian capital – to prove it’s not Dull.

The tourist board came up with the idea of inviting the entire population of Dull to stay in a plush Viennese hotel in January, as who better to decide whether or not Vienna is Dull after Christmas.

But when residents of the remote Scottish village first heard about the funny initiative, some initially thought it was a scam.

Laughing, resident Ricky said: “We thought it was a scam because it’s so extraordinary.

“We really had to think very carefully, is this real? Who dreamt this up? What person in Vienna thought about this and why?

“But when we realised it was real we just got really interested in it and excited.”

Jenny and Ricky from Dull initially thought it was a scam LDRS

The Austrian capital had been slammed for being “dull” in January after the hustle and bustle of its famous Christmas markets.

But Vienna was keen to set the record straight. While the rest of the globe is opening/renewing gym memberships or sobering up for Dry January, the Austrian capital is in celebration mode with more than 400 balls held each year, one of the world’s largest ice rinks, and UNESCO-recognised culinary delights for visitors to feast upon.

Vienna Tourist Board chief executive Norbert Kettner said: “We’re proud of our museums, our concerts, our balls and our winter magic – but we also enjoy a good sense of humour. January is often considered the dullest month of the calendar, which is exactly why we wanted to bring Dull to Vienna. It’s the perfect opportunity to show how vibrant this season can truly be. We hope many residents will join us, and we’re eager to hear their expert judgement.”

Over the weekend, representatives from Vienna Tourist Board visited every house in Dull to personally deliver a wax-sealed invitation to visit Vienna in January, along with a goodie bag.

Representatives from Vienna Tourist Board visited Dull over the weekend to invite residents to their city LDRS

It is thought around half of the Perthshire village’s residents – which has a population roughly of about 70 – will be able to attend. Residents unable to travel still received a gift on their doorstep.

They have been invited to stay at the luxury Hotel Imperial, which has previously hosted Queen Elizabeth II and The Rolling Stones.

A whole host of activities have been planned with itineraries tailor-made for each guest based on their interests.

Dull resident Hilary Wheater hosted the delegation of four at the weekend and said they were “delightful”.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service on Monday morning, she said: “My head’s still birling. We first heard about it about two weeks or so ago.

“It started because someone had given Vienna a bad crit saying, after the Christmas market Vienna was very dull in January. So this guy pops up and says he’s from Dull – wanting to advertise his holiday let in Vienna – and they had this idea of ‘We’re not Dull, they’re Dull’.”

Hilary Wheater, From Dull, Accepts The Invitation And Goodie Bag From Vienna Tourist Board LDRS

Hilary was delighted to welcome the Austrian guests into her Dull home.

She said: “I’m in the centre so they could just walk out to all the houses with their bags of goodies and deliver them with their invitations.

“They were delightful.”

On Sunday, all the residents who are heading to Vienna, met up with the Vienna Tourist Board representatives.

Hilary explained: “Last night, one of the people going offered her house and we had a get-together there. And someone from Aberfeldy kindly came up and piped them down the hill from my house to her house. They were thrilled to bits.”

Highland Perthshire ward councillor John Duff is excited for the lucky residents.

The local Conservative councillor said: “What an amazing and exciting offer! An all-expenses paid weekend break in one of the most beautiful European capital cities. It will certainly be a very different kind of Viennese Whirl than the residents of Dull are used to!

“I understand that some Austrians have visited the village in the last few days to discuss the arrangements. I am sure that those who take up the wonderful opportunity will enjoy its sights and culture. Perhaps a trip to the Spanish Riding School with its Lipizzaner stallions or a visit to some of Vienna’s many cathedrals and museums. It’s definitely not going to be a dull and boring weekend, that’s for sure!”