Residents of Dull, Scotland visit Vienna for free to prove it’s not dull

By Elizabeth Hunter

Residents of the UK town of Dull have visited Vienna after an invitation from its tourist board - to prove it's not dull.

Around 100 locals of Dull in Perthshire in Scotland were asked to stay in the Austrian capital - free of charge.

And 33 residents took up the offer - as the Vienna Tourist Board aimed to prove that their city is not "dull" as it is commonly accused of.

The guests from Dull stayed at Hotel Imperial, one of Vienna’s most iconic hotels, which has previously hosted Queen Elizabeth II.

The weekend fell during Vienna's iconic ball season, with each visitor receiving an itinerary tailored to their interests.

The group began with an exclusive, before-hours guided tour of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, before continuing to the Spanish Riding School for a morning training session and behind-the-scenes access to the historic riding halls and Lipizzaner stables.

The afternoon offered a range of cultural experiences, including a traditional Viennese waltz lesson, preparing the residents for the city’s renowned ball culture, as well as ice skating at the Vienna Ice World in the heart of the city.

In the evening, some guests attended a classical concert at the Karlskirche, experiencing Vivaldi’s Four Seasons performed on baroque instruments, before the program culminated at Vienna’s City Hall, which had been transformed for one of Vienna’s 400 balls, the Vienna Ball of Sciences.

The guests from Dull who attended the ball, complete with formal attire and prior dance preparation, joined Vienna’s science and research community for a truly memorable evening.

Norbert Kettner, CEO of the Vienna Tourist Board, said: “Vienna never hibernates, not even in January.

"The residents of Dull experienced this first-hand through exclusive museum visits, the Spanish Riding School, ice skating in front of the City Hall and even an evening at the Vienna Ball of Sciences, proving that winter is one of the city’s richest cultural seasons.

"Now we’re inviting travelers everywhere to follow in their footsteps and experience the same winter magic for themselves.”

Inspired by the Dull residents’ trip to Vienna, the Vienna Tourist Board is launching a competition to win a trip to Vienna in January 2027.

The initiative will invite participants to judge whether Vienna is dull for themselves by entering for a chance to escape the dullest month of the year and win a winter break in Vienna.

The winner will enjoy a two-night stay for two at the iconic Hotel Imperial in January 2027, along with a tailor-made itinerary and the opportunity to attend one of Vienna’s famous balls, showcasing the city at its most vibrant during the heart of the winter season.