Author: Sara Barton

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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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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Canoe trail first for south of Scotland

Long celebrated as one of Scotland’s great salmon rivers, the River Tweed will soon be known for another kind of journey following the launch this month of the first official canoe trail in the south of Scotland. Tweed Valley Canoe Trail Created by Go Tweed Valley, the Tweed Valley Canoe Trail covers a distance of…
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The arts are in full bloom in the South of Scotland this spring

From frolicking lambs and bursts of bluebells to arts festivals and historic houses, a new campaign by the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) celebrates springtime as one of the most magical times to visit the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway, providing all the information holidaymakers need to plan the perfect spring escape. Fittingly…
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Crawick Multiverse designated by Historic Environment Scotland

  Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has added Crawick Multiverse to the inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes. The site was nominated to be considered for designation by a member of the public as part of HES’s ‘Designed Landscapes of the Recent Past’ project, an initiative to identify and champion Scotland’s remarkable modern gardens and designed…
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South of Scotland aims to become Scotland’s “Fastest Growing Visitor Economy by 2034” as Partners unveil New Responsible Tourism Strategy

Launching the South of Scotland Responsible Tourism Strategy, left to right:  Steve Rogers, Head of Economy and Development, Dumfries and Galloway Council; Scottish Borders Council Leader Euan Jardine; Councillor Scott Hamilton, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Community and Business Development; David Hope-Jones, Chief Executive of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance; Tourism Minister Richard…
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How the South of Scotland can learn on the hoof from Iceland

The SSDA’s CEO, David Hope-Jones OBE has written and opinion piece which has been published in The Herald as SSDA Annual Conference is held in Dumfries. Picture this: you’re finishing up at your desk, ready to clock off for some well-earned annual leave. As a final task, you pop on your out-of-office message, letting colleagues…
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External view of the Peebles Hydro, a hotel, set with blue sky and green rolling hills. The hotel will be the venue for the South of Scotland THistle Awards 2024.

Peebles Hydro named as venue for the 2024 South of Scotland Thistle Awards as entries open to local businesses

TOURISM and hospitality businesses in Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders are being encouraged to enter the South of Scotland Thistle Awards 2024, back after a brilliantly successful inaugural year to celebrate the leading lights of the region’s burgeoning visitor economy. Awards organisers the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) announced that Peebles Hydro…
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