The residents of a tiny Scottish village with the unfortunate name of Dull are about to experience something quite the opposite - an all-expenses-paid luxury trip to Vienna designed to prove the Austrian capital is anything but dull.
The Unlikely Invitation
In what might be the most generous tourism promotion of the year, the Vienna Tourist Board is personally delivering wax-sealed invitations to every one of Dull's approximately 100 residents. The special delivery will take place on November 29 and 30, accompanied by traditional Austrian goodie bags that promise to bring a taste of Vienna to rural Perthshire.
This unusual cultural initiative aims to showcase that Vienna has plenty to offer even in January, traditionally considered the quietest and, some might say, dullest month of the year. The village of Dull was selected precisely because of its name and its existing light-hearted partnerships with similarly unfortunately-named towns.
The Grand Vienna Experience
On January 23, those villagers who accept the invitation will fly from Edinburgh Airport to Vienna for a cultural experience few could dream of. Their accommodation will be none other than the legendary Hotel Imperial, a landmark venue that has previously hosted royalty including Queen Elizabeth II and rock legends the Rolling Stones.
During their two-day stay, the Dull residents will be treated to an exclusive cultural programme including attendance at the prestigious Vienna Ball of Science, private museum tours, a visit to the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, and potentially even a meeting with the UK ambassador to Austria. The entire experience concludes with their return to Dull on January 25.
More Than Just a Funny Name
Norbert Kettner, CEO of the Vienna Tourist Board, explained the thinking behind the unusual promotion: "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," Kettner added. "We hope many residents will join us, and we're eager to hear their expert judgement."
Despite its name, Dull has a rich history connected to an early Scottish monastery, St. Adamnan. The village was once a significant site as the seat of the monastery and later became a sanctuary. The name itself is believed to derive from the Pictish word for a field.
The village has embraced its unusual name through international partnerships, being officially twinned with Boring in Oregon, USA, and Bland in New South Wales, Australia. Together they've formed the League of Extraordinary Communities and even created a special 'Bland, Dull & Boring Day' celebrated each year on August 9.
The original idea for the pairing came when Elizabeth Leighton, who lives in Aberfeldy near Dull, was cycling through Boring during a US holiday and immediately phoned home with the suggestion. While they can't be officially twinned due to population differences - Boring has about 10,000 residents while Dull has roughly 100 - the spirit of connection remains strong.
For the residents of one of Scotland's smallest villages, this January promises to be anything but dull as they prepare to become Vienna's most unusual tourism ambassadors.
