Category: South of Scotland

New Campaign Highlights How The South Of Scotland Dazzles In The Darker Months

The latest Scotland Starts Here campaign features a must-do winter ‘Bucket List’ showcasing the best of the region in the chilly season, including starry picnics and coo spotting.  A new winter ‘Bucket List’ has been created by the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) as part of its ‘Scotland Starts Here’ promotional campaign to highlight…
Read more

Five big 2023 wins for destination South of Scotland!

As we look back on 2023 there is much to celebrate, with five fantastic wins for the South of Scotland as a leading tourism destination.   Thistle Awards records smashed: For the first time ever, the South of Scotland won more national Thistle Awards than any other region.  In total we took home six prestigious…
Read more

Study finds £6 million local economic impact from Cycling World Championships

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships are estimated to have had a direct economic impact on the Scottish Borders of over £6million, Councillors heard today at a meeting of the Executive Committee. Glentress Forest host venue Glentress Forest, one of Scotland’s most renowned mountain bike locations, was a proud host venue for the Championships which…
Read more

Best in Show! South of Scotland triumphs with record-smashing six national Thistle Awards

Region makes history by scooping its highest ever number of Scottish Thistle Awards celebrating excellence in tourism and hospitality including the Silver Thistle Award for David and Wilma Finlay at the Ethical Dairy CORKS are popping across the South of Scotland as the region celebrates a sensational performance at the national Scottish Thistle Awards for…
Read more

Borderlands named as 5G Innovation Region by UK Government

The Borderlands has been named as one of 10 new 5G Innovation Regions to share in a £36 million fund from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. The successful areas will lead on delivering the Government’s vision for communities across the UK to take full advantage of the transformative effect that advanced wireless connectivity…
Read more

How to seize green energy solutions to help boost your business’ finances

Britain is home to a wealth of innovative and forward-thinking businesses within the tourism and leisure sector who recognise the importance of moving towards a greener future. With 5.5 million small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in the country, ScottishPower has launched new advice to support business leaders in the tourism and leisure sector through this transition by adopting green technologies that…
Read more

Stranraer Oyster Festival 2023 delivered £2.3 million economic boost

Record breaking attendance at Stranraer Oyster Festival 2023 generated an additional £2.3 million for the local economy, according to an independent economic impact report. The study, which was carried out by MKA Economics, also noted that this level of visitor spend should help to safeguard 32 tourism related local jobs. The three-day festival took place…
Read more

Scotland’s first UNESCO Biosphere named on National Geographic ‘Cool List’ for 2024

The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere, Scotland’s first UNESCO Biosphere, is celebrating the news that National Geographic Traveller (UK) has named it as the only Scottish destination in the prestigious global Cool List for 2024. The “editors’ selection of global destinations set to make the news over the next 12 months” identifies the top places…
Read more

Festivals and Events Tourism to the Region Receives Major Council Boost

Dumfries and Galloway Council has announced that it is to lead the search for new Signature Events for the region. The Advancement initiative, to identify the growth events in Dumfries and Galloway that have the potential to grow sustainably and profile our region internationally, is a cornerstone of the Council’s Events Strategy 2023-2027. The Advancement…
Read more

Webinars Supporting Placemaking

The Scottish Borders Council has organised a series of webinars designed to complement and support businesses on their placemaking journey, with more still to come. What is Placemaking? Place Making is a process designed to collectively inspire communities to rethink and reinvent public spaces to enhance the public realm in their area. This can be…
Read more