Cruising Oceans on Latitudes above 51º North - The Cool Route

The Cool Route Project investigates all aspects of the practical logistics and business potential to establish a bi-directional yacht cruising route along the western offshore areas of the Northern Periphery Area, stretching from Co. Cork in Ireland, to the UK (Northern Ireland and Western Scotland) and onwards to the Faroe Islands and Norway

The Cool Route Project aims to help peripheral and remote communities on the northern margins of Europe to develop their economic, social and environmental potential. The project is coordinated by our lead partner, the Cork Institute of Technology in Ireland, supported by regional partners in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Norway and the Faroe Islands. National organisations such as Sail Scotland, British Marine Federation and RYA (Scotland and Northern Ireland) are also involved actively as associate partners.

It is also the programme’s vision to help to generate vibrant, competitive and sustainable communities, by harnessing innovation, expanding the capacity for entrepreneurship and seizing the unique growth initiatives and opportunities of the Northern and Arctic regions in a resource efficient way.

The final objective of the Cool Route Project is to establish a bi-directional yacht cruising route along the western offshore areas of the Northern Periphery Area, stretching from Co. Cork in Ireland, to the UK - Northern Ireland and Western Scotland - and onwards to the Faroe Islands and Norway.

What we want to achieve

• Strengthen the market reach and customer base for SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) in remote communities
• Develop an exclusive product package to attract customers
• Develop a joint marketing strategy and innovative solution to design a marketing model focusing on “place-based” development opportunities for a very wide range of tourism activities, holidays, cultural and heritage attractions, local produce, crafts, restaurants and marine services.

The project will engage with a very wide range of local stakeholders both sea and land-side, ranging from marina and pontoon operators to local authorities who provide public moorings and also to restaurants, pubs, galleries and activity holiday operators and other service providers in all sectors.