Tobago is making its rich historical heritage more visible and available to residents and visitors through a series of heritage trails on the island.

At Wednesday’s (August 10) post Executive Council media briefing at the Administrative Complex, Calder Hall, Secretary of Tourism and Transportation Assemblyman Tracy Davidson-Celestine disclosed that six trails are being developed. The first two, the Scarborough Heritage Trail and the Church Trail 1, will be launched on the Scarborough Esplanade, the starting point of the Scarborough Trail, on September 8 2016 at 10 a.m.

She said the Tobago Trails Tour guides will undergo five days of training from August 22 with consultants, Dr Rita Pemberton and historical archaeologist Kevin Farmer, who have worked with the Division on these projects. Patrons will be charged a fee to tour the Trail.

She explained: “The Scarborough Trail will start on the Esplanade and end at Fort King George. Its  stops include the port cannons, the botanic gardens, the customs area, old post boxes, the electricity plant, the old works building, the memorial, the THA legislative buildings, Market Square/James Park, the commemorative plaque, the Scarborough commercial area, the old market, and Scarborough Methodist Church.

“The Church 1 trail features the Mt Pleasant Anglican Church and cemetery, Montgomery Moravian Church (1770) Riseland, Bethel Baptist Church, Bethesda Moravian Church (1874), Bon Accord Moravian Church (1861), the refurbished Black Rock Moravian (1861), Plymouth Anglican Church and cemetery, Spring Garden Moravian Church (1851) and the Moriah Moravian Church (1840),” the Tourism secretary added.

Historical buildings such as the legislature, customs house, Scarborough Moravian Church and the works building have already been restored.

Davidson-Celestine said the Jewish Cemetery on the premises of the Old Health Centre will also be restored, and will feature in the second church trail.

Tourism said: “The project is in keeping with UNESCO’s thrust to encourage heritage preservation globally, the initiative is helping to preserve historical relics in Tobago and highlight the rich historical heritage of the island.”

In addition, she said, the growing popularity of heritage tourism, provides an opportunity for Tobago to enhance its offerings by making maximum use of its historical sites for tourism development.