Author: Vanessa Wegstein

THE STARS ALIGN FOR THE SCOTTISH DARK SKY OBSERVATORY AS NEW HOME REVEALED IN DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY 

The new national astronomical observatory will be located at Clatteringshaws Loch within the Galloway Forest Park, Scotland’s only Gold Tier Dark Sky Park  More than three years after being destroyed by a fire, The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory is set to have a new home in Dumfries & Galloway on the banks of Clatteringshaws Loch…
Read more

South of Scotland tourism stars shine at national Scottish Thistle Awards 

The 12 winners of the region’s second annual Thistle Awards flew the flag for the South of Scotland at last night’s national awards ceremony, securing four victories  Leading lights of tourism and hospitality in the South of Scotland celebrated at the national Scottish Thistle Awards ceremony in Glasgow last night, taking home four awards altogether,…
Read more

Cycling Fund helps put South on track to become leading cycling destination

Thirty tourism businesses, social enterprises and community groups have been supported to help the South of Scotland become one of the leading cycling destinations in the world. The £300,000 South of Scotland Cycling Infrastructure Fund provided capital grants of £3,000 to £25,000 to the organisations who own visitor facing assets to invest in their cycling…
Read more

South of Scotland tourism grows by £150 million (20%) in a year

New data reveals growth of visitor economy in the South of Scotland as the Deputy First Minister visits the Scottish Borders, meeting business leaders.    With Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes visiting the Scottish Borders, new independent tourism data has been announced showing the development of the visitor economy in the South of Scotland and the impact of the South…
Read more

Promoting ‘Pawfect’ Breaks in the South of Scotland

With National Dog Day celebrations today and a growing market demand for dog-friendly holiday options and experiences, the SSDA has launched a new toolkit to help local businesses attract new customers and their four-legged friends. The toolkit, which is available to read and download here, provides information on the benefits of becoming dog-friendly, along with…
Read more

South of Scotland Tourism grows by almost £150m (20%) in a year

The latest STEAM (Scottish tourism economic impact modelling) data has been released for the South of Scotland, covering the year 2023, and it shows an incredible 20% increase in the size of our visitor economy, rising by £149m to £911 million, and a 14% increase in the total number of jobs, to 15,652.   Download…
Read more

Shortlist And New Award Unveiled For The Returning South Of Scotland Thistle Awards

The South of Scotland shortlist for the region’s second dedicated Thistle Awards has been unveiled alongside the announcement of brand-new award category     The shortlist for the South of Scotland’s dedicated regional Thistle Awards – Scotland’s leading tourism and events industry accolades – has been revealed today alongside a brand-new award category.   Back following…
Read more

Positive Signs Ahead At Official Launch Of Major Cycle Route Across The South Of Scotland

Businesses across the South of Scotland are welcoming the official launch of the now fully signposted 250-mile Kirkpatrick Coast 2 Coast cycling route Local cyclists and businesses celebrated the official launch of the Kirkpatrick C2C: South of Scotland’s Coast to Coast today in Langholm – a popular place for cyclists to stop along the now…
Read more

Take your Family Time Traveling by Train to the Borders this Summer

Special ‘Kids Go Free’ deal at five major attractions, plus ScotRail’s ‘Kids for a Quid’ promotion, adds up to a fantastic value day out for the whole family   Trimontium Museum is among the five attractions offering a special kids Go Free offer to families as part of ScotRail’s Kids for a Quid promotion Families  in…
Read more

Town Where Auld Lang Syne Was Written Issues Rallying Cry To Be Recognised As The Bard’s True Home

Campaigners in Dumfries call for the town to be recognised as the place where Robert Burns lived, loved, worked and died As revellers link arms around the world to welcome 2024 with a rendition of Auld Lang Syne, a new action group in the South of Scotland has launched a campaign to celebrate Dumfriesshire’s unparalleled…
Read more