MESSAGE FROM OUR INTERIM CEO It has been an incredibly busy month for the team as we continue to welcome businesses into the SSDA tourism community and prepare to launch a new Winter Campaign. Over the past year we have raised the profile of the region through our regional brand Scotland Starts Here. Our website…
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Message from our Chief Executive, Melanie Allen… “It has been heartening to speak to and meet members over the past few weeks with so many messages of support. I am very excited to be working with the team to drive forward the SSDA tourism strategy for the South of Scotland over the next few months.…
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“This month we have a team update for you as our current Chief Executive Ross McAuley will be stepping down in September to take up a new International role. We’ll be sad to see him go as during his time at the SSDA Ross has played a significant role in driving forward the organisation, setting…
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“Great to see the events roar back to life in the South of Scotland. This month saw the incredible Borders Book Festival return, the Sir Jackie Stewart Classic at Thirlestane Castle’s inaugural run and the Common Ridings return after a pandemic enforced hiatus. Tens of thousands of locals and tourists enjoyed the very best that…
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“It’s great to see a passenger train service return to Reston after such a long absence. As well as benefiting residents in the village and surrounding areas, this is good for tourism, hospitality and the wider economy across the south of Scotland. It will also encourage more sustainable travel which is a priority. A good…
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“This month we’re really pleased to see our work on Scotland’s Year of Stories come to fruition. We have such a rich cultural heritage that when combined with the fantastic landscapes, experiences and activities of the South, they make an unbeatable and easily accessible destination. In the South, visitors can enjoy the country in microcosm,…
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Seen on Vertish Hill Famously Hawick partners, left to right, Matthew Thomson of Hawico, James Fleming of Lovat Mill, Nick Bannerman of Johnstons of Elgin, John Fordyce of The Borders Distillery, David Nuttall of William Lockie Hawick is Famously Green That’s the sustainability message that the Famously Hawick partnership were showcasing from the town’s aptly…
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British Cycling announced the 2022 British National Road Championships will take place in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, once again bringing together the time-trial, circuit and road race championships into three days of scintillating racing. Having previously hosted rounds of both the Tour of Britain and Tour Series, Dumfries and Galloway has a proud track record…
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Stranraer Oyster Festival, one of Scotland’s biggest food festivals, is set for a sensational return later this year, with organiser Stranraer Development Trust confirming the event will take place from 2nd – 4th September 2022, with support through EventScotland’s National Funding Programme and from Dumfries and Galloway Council. The community-run festival was last held in…
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“March is known as Scottish Tourism Month and the South of Scotland has certainly embraced the theme wholeheartedly. We had our inaugural SSDA conference to which we were delighted to welcome 200 attendees from across the region. It was so good to have an in-person event again after a two year hiatus. At the conference…
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