“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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Whilst it certainly still feels very much like winter, the shoots of spring are showing. We have the announcement from the first minister on COVID restrictions ending on 21st March. We also have over 100 attendees for our conference already confirmed. After two years of disruption, this is a great chance for the tourism and…
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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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BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENT AND NEW CAMPAIGNS FOR THE SOUTH OF SCOTLAND Yesterday was budget day and the chancellor has outlined his plans. It’s encouraging to see higher than expected economic growth, Mr Sunak also announced a 48 per cent rise in skills investment. The hospitality industry is clearly in need of support here. In addition, he…
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£240K FUNDING BOOST FOR THE SOUTH The SSDA are delighted to be awarded funding from VisitScotland’s Destination and Sector Marketing Fund and the Destination Leadership Recovery fund. We will be implementing the awards until March, working with businesses across the South of Scotland on marketing and product development activities. Local destination groups also recently awarded…
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A new survey has revealed that Dumfries and Galloway is Scotland’s second most popular staycation destination this year. It says tourism bookings in Dumfries and Galloway are up 35% since 2019. The Scottish Borders had also been found to be the third most popular holiday spot in 2021. That means that the South of Scotland,…
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