Regional Ambassadors

More than ever, tourists are looking to experience destinations by connecting with local communities and stories. Recommendations and endorsements from those living and working in the South of Scotland are some of the best ways to showcase the region’s vibrant offer, from poets feeling inspired by Robert Burns’ homeland, to mountain bike champions finding calm beyond the trails.  

Our series of ambassador videos started in 2020, working with a selection of local business owners, celebrities, and creatives, who were all keen to share what makes the South of Scotland special to them. Through interviews all across the South of Scotland, we uncovered the places that make the region so special for locals, both those born and bred in the region and those who chose to make it their home after moving here from elsewhere. So what did we find? Well, there’s endless reasons to fall in love with the South of Scotland but the most amazing stories are sometimes hidden in plain sight. The only way to uncover them is to ‘Meet the Locals’.

The Ambassador series is an ongoing project that takes the form of short videos, followed by a dedicated blog that picks up on each individual’s stories and local recommendations. Have a look at our stories to date below and check out more stories on Scotland Starts Here:

2020 Downhill MTB World Champion Reece Wilson
Dark Art Distillery’s Head Distiller Fiona Williamson
Former BBC Scotland Poet in Residence Stuart Paterson
SOSE CEO Jane Morrisson-Ross
Award-winning Cringletie Head Chef Ian Gourlay
Author and time management specialist Suzanne Mulholland aka The Batch Lady
Local Historian and Wedding Coordinator Stuart Thompson
Textile Designer Flora Collingwood-Norris