Burns: from Birthplace to Burial

We welcomed Scotland’s Stories, Graeme Johncock and Molly the Labrador (the Barketing Manager!), to the South of Scotland in May 2024 to immerse himself in our Robert Burns experience. Read his blog here.

Scottish Borders Planet Trail

The Scottish Borders Space Trail, also known as the Ancrum Astronomy Trail. There are two integrated elements to the installation; models of all eight planets as well as a hemispheric model of the sun itself (around 12.5 meters in diameter). The planets will be situated at their correct scaled positions between Jedburgh and Peebles and will also…
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New Dark Sky Network Formed

The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere (GSAB) Partnership Board has established a Dark Sky Network sub-group, which the SSDA is part of, to promote and support the conservation of dark skies within the UNESCO Biosphere designated area and more widely across the south of Scotland, this includes supporting the preservation of existing designations and the…
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SSDA July Newsletter 2024

David Hope-Jones, CEO of the SSDA gives a quick 5-minute round up, while paddle boarding, of the latest work of the SSDA in supporting the tourism economy in the South of Scotland. The finalists in the South of Scotland Thistle Awards have been announced and we summarise some of the key points of our marketing…
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Shortlist And New Award Unveiled For The Returning South Of Scotland Thistle Awards

The South of Scotland shortlist for the region’s second dedicated Thistle Awards has been unveiled alongside the announcement of brand-new award category     The shortlist for the South of Scotland’s dedicated regional Thistle Awards – Scotland’s leading tourism and events industry accolades – has been revealed today alongside a brand-new award category.   Back following…
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Positive Signs Ahead At Official Launch Of Major Cycle Route Across The South Of Scotland

Businesses across the South of Scotland are welcoming the official launch of the now fully signposted 250-mile Kirkpatrick Coast 2 Coast cycling route Local cyclists and businesses celebrated the official launch of the Kirkpatrick C2C: South of Scotland’s Coast to Coast today in Langholm – a popular place for cyclists to stop along the now…
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Take your Family Time Traveling by Train to the Borders this Summer

Special ‘Kids Go Free’ deal at five major attractions, plus ScotRail’s ‘Kids for a Quid’ promotion, adds up to a fantastic value day out for the whole family   Trimontium Museum is among the five attractions offering a special kids Go Free offer to families as part of ScotRail’s Kids for a Quid promotion Families  in…
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SSDA June Newsletter 2024

David Hope-Jones, CEO of the SSDA gives a quick 5-minute round up of the latest work of the SSDA in supporting the tourism economy in the South of Scotland and we summarise some of the key points of our marketing work, press coverage and regional news in our June newsletter.   READ THE JUNE 2024…
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Tourism Campaign Raises a Glass to Eight of the South of Scotland’s Food and Drink Legends

The South of Scotland Destination Alliance is celebrating local excellence thanks to funding secured through Scotland Food & Drink’s Regional Food Fund EIGHT trailblazing food and drink businesses, with an experience focus, are playing a starring role in a new promotional campaign delivered by the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA). Thanks to support from…
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World’s first pedal bike immortalised in steel in Stranraer at start of major cycle route named after its inventor

 A striking new interactive sculpture of the world’s first pedal bicycle has been installed on the West Pier in Stranraer at the official start point of a major cycle route – the Kirkpatrick C2C: South of Scotland’s Coast to Coast. 250 mile coast to coast route The awe-inspiring route is 250 miles – making it…
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