Author: Sara Barton

SSDA Newsletter October 2023

Huge celebrations as we crowned the first ever South of Scotland Thistle Award winners in a ceremony with glitz and glamour.  And there is a new cycling infrastructure fund available for businesses to support the region’s aim to be a leading cycling destination. If you aren’t yet enjoying the benefits of membership, join today  and be…
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Inaugural South of Scotland Thistle Awards celebrates the region’s leading lights in tourism and hospitality 

Last night’s triumphant South of Scotland businesses are now preparing to battle it out at the national Scottish Thistle Awards finals in December Tourism and hospitality businesses from right across the South of Scotland are celebrating today after emerging victorious at the region’s first ever dedicated regional Thistle Awards, held in Dumfries last night.  Finalists,…
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Monteviot Lights – The Scottish Borders First Winter Light Trail

A Magical Winter Wonderland to Illuminate Monteviot House & Gardens Prepare to be enchanted as Monteviot House & Gardens unveils its inaugural winter light trail event, Monteviot Lights, illuminating the natural beauty of the Scottish Borders on nine dates between November 30th to December 10th, 2023. This captivating spectacle promises to be a magical experience…
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Wild Goose Festival 2023 Programme Takes Flight

From 19th–29th October, Dumfries & Galloway’s annual Wild Goose Festival will host a series of events stretching across the region from Dumfries, and the surrounding areas, through Galloway and into Stranraer. Ten-day celebration In a celebration of nature, creativity and place, this year’s programme of activity includes exhibitions, guided walks, tours, creative workshops, interactive performances,…
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5pm launches Kooble – a new Online Platform for Hospitality Bookings

5pm, the Scottish founded online booking site has announced it will launch as a new co-owned platform, Kooble, with the aim of transforming the booking landscape for hospitality businesses and consumers in Scotland. Newly co-owned by leading operators within Scotland’s hospitality industry, Kooble will unveil its ground-breaking platform, poised to shake up the online booking…
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Volunteers from across the globe to help deliver Cycling World Championship events at Glentress

Volunteers from as far afield as India and Qatar will be supporting the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championship events at Glentress Forest as part of the ‘Champs Clan’. The Championships are taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland from 3 to 13 August, with the mountain bike cross-country events being held at Glentress Forest and…
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Robert Burns farm opens doors on Auld Lang Syne holiday cottage

The unspoiled farm where Robert Burns wrote the world famous Auld Lang Syne is open for holiday stays for the first time. Auld Acquaintance cottage, in the grounds of Ellisland Farm on the banks of the Nith, offers the only opportunity to holiday at one of the national poet’s homes. All profits from the new…
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Scotland’s first UNESCO Biosphere nearly doubles with boundary extension in tenth anniversary year

Just over 10 years since Galloway & Southern Ayrshire (GSA) was designated Scotland’s first UNESCO Biosphere, a global delegation of UN officials announced the renewal of the site’s UNESCO status for a further 10 years, in recognition of its pioneering achievements in sustainable development and supporting global climate change goals. The revalidation reflects southwest Scotland’s…
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Kirkcudbright Fringe: Scotland’s Newest Unmissable Event

Co-founders Gerry Hassan and Chris Walker are thrilled to launch the Kirkcudbright Fringe website Kirkcudbright Fringe is set to take South-West Scotland by storm as the brand new three-day event opens its doors to over 35 different acts at 15 venues in the charming harbour town of Kirkcudbright. The event, which runs from 1 to…
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New Great Tapestry of Scotland panel to be revealed at tenth anniversary visit by The King and Queen

The King and Queen will visit the Great Tapestry of Scotland visitor centre in Galashiels, the Scottish Borders on Thursday 6 July 2023. Their Majesties’ visit to view one of the world’s largest community arts projects coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Tapestry’s unveiling.  In celebration of the Royal visit, the visitor centre will…
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