This research explores the strength of the potential niche market associated with the Japanese's connection to Thomas Blake Glover. The study involved research to ascertain whether there is suffi cient demand in Japan to sustain a heritage attraction or trail built up around Blake Glover in Northeast Scotland, as a means to counteract the decline of primary sector industries in the area. More specifi cally, the research set out to identify strategies to optimise the Blake Glover connection as a resource for Northeast Scotland. The research also highlights issues of signifi cance to the wider Scottish tourism product in terms of attempting to attract the Japanese market to Scotland.