Category: South of Scotland

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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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New South of Scotland Cycling Infrastructure Fund opens

A new £300,000 South of Scotland Cycling Infrastructure Fund has been created to support the region’s aim of becoming one of the leading cycling destinations in the world. The Fund offers capital grants of £3,000 to £25,000 to support tourism businesses, social enterprises and community groups who own visitor facing assets to invest in cycling…
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Southern pride: team effort from across the region to make first South of Scotland Thistle Awards a glittering success

  Local suppliers pulling out all the stops to honour and celebrate their area’s tourism and hospitality stars The South of Scotland’s first ever dedicated regional Thistle Awards celebrating the best in tourism and hospitality are only days away and businesses from across the region are going the extra mile to ensure the awards event…
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