Category: Press Release

SOUTH OF SCOTLAND’S TOURISM INDUSTRY TO COME TOGETHER AT INAUGURAL CONFERENCE

The South of Scotland Destination Alliance’s first conference will look at how the sector can work together to recover from the pandemic and elevate the region into a leading destination The South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) is bringing together the local tourism industry for its inaugural annual conference on Tuesday the 15th of March…
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Alasdair Hutton helps tell the tale of Sir Walter Scott's first love in a new video from Visit Kelso community group.

Telling the Story of Sir Walter Scott’s First Love for Scotland’s Year of Stories

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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South of Scotland aiming to be the next holiday destination in UK

South of Scotland: Perfectly Poised as Sustainable Holiday Destination

 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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Tweed Valley Enduro contributes £13K to local charities

EWS Tweed Valley donates £13,000 to local charities

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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Walter Scott longlist of books for 2022 prize

Walter Scott Prize Longlist 2022

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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Galloway Country Fair returns this summer

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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Coast-to-Coast Cycle Route Development Project

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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Donald Watson Bird Project launches two new walking trails in the Galloway landscape

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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Year of Stories Sparks New Radio Partnership

An exciting new dimension comes to Alive Radio this week inspired by the dawn of Scotland’s Year of Stories. Popular local D.J. Kenny Murray, the driving force behind the successful Alive & Local showcase, has teamed up with award-winning storyteller and founder of the Mostly Ghostly team, Kathleen Cronie, to bring an intriguing new storytelling…
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SSDA Newsletter January 2022

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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