In celebration of Scotland’s Year of Stories, a specially commissioned video is being released by community group, Visit Kelso, to tell the story of Sir Walter Scott’s first love. Scott, who is best known for his connection to Abbotsford, spent time throughout his childhood with his relatives at Rosebank in Kelso. During one of these…
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Holidaymakers, from staycationers to international tourists, are missing out on a wealth of hidden gems across the South of Scotland, including its stunning beaches and coastline, high-quality local food and drink, adventurous activities and nature and wildlife, new research has revealed. A recent survey of more than 3,400 people across the UK, outside the Scottish…
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An Innerleithen-based company has revealed the positive legacy of their mountain bike event in the area last October, after contributing more than £13,000 to local causes. The Enduro Sports Organisation (ESO) are the owners and operators of the Enduro World Series (EWS), the largest enduro mountain bike race series in the world, who last October…
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The Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, which celebrates outstanding historical novels published in the UK, Ireland and the Commonwealth, has announced its 2022 longlist. Thirteen novels are in contention for the £25,000 prize, with settings spanning from the 8th century BC up to the 1960s, and from all four nations of the United Kingdom…
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The award winning Galloway Country Fair returns this summer to Drumlanrig Castle and Country Estate on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 August 2022. The annual two-day event will, once again, take place in the picturesque surroundings of the Estate and celebrates all aspects of rural life. Showcasing the best of country pursuits, local craftsmanship, artisan…
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South of Scotland Enterprise and partners Scottish Borders Council, Dumfries & Galloway Council, VisitScotland, SSDA and Sustrans are exploring the development of a Coast-to-Coast Cycle Route, which will run from Portpatrick to Eyemouth. Encouraging active travel If developed this challenge route, suitable for experienced cyclists, will stimulate demand for recovery post Covid-19 and aligns with…
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The life and work of Donald Watson, the famous bird artist who did much of his work in the Galloway landscape, is now brought to life through a new Walk and Art Trail around The Glenkens. Painter of birds Donald Watson (1918-2005) was a painter most famous for his accurate depiction of birds and their…
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It is our pleasure to announce that the SSDA will host the inaugural South of Scotland Destination conference on Tuesday 15th March at the Crichton in Dumfries. With our tourism and hospitality industry currently facing another challenging year, the 2022 Destination South of Scotland conference will inspire industry to rebuild bigger and better, with excellent…
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Join the Galloway Glens as it considers Galloway’s fascinating heritage and culture, from a variety of angles! With events planned both online and in person, join in for an adventure to uncover the secrets of this remarkable landscape and the stories that spark our imagination. Culture and landscape collide in an eclectic thought-provoking programme which…
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Volunteers from the local community and HSBC UK employees have joined forces to progress an ambitious landscape restoration project at the National Trust for Scotland’s Threave Estate in Dumfries and Galloway. More than 200 native aspen trees were planted on the Kelton Mains site, as part of the conservation charity’s centuries-spanning Threave Landscape Restoration Project…
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