Author: Sara Barton

Kelton Wicker bull

Galloway Glens Scheme secures six-month extension

The Galloway Glens Scheme is five-years of activity in the Ken/Dee Valley, supporting a range of projects that ‘connect people to their heritage’ while boosting the local economy and supporting sustainable communities. The Scheme is an initiative of the Council’s Environment Team, overseen by a Partnership Board, and will oversee investment of more than £5million…
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Days Out Incentive Fund still open

VISITSCOTLAND has launched a new campaign encouraging people across Scotland to experience a Great Day Out across the country this winter. Participating businesses are benefitting from the Days Out Incentive Fund launched by the Scottish Government and administred by VisitScotland. The Great Days Out in Scotland campaign – running from now until February 18, 2022…
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Two weeks to go to Scotland’s Tourism Industry Conference

Last year, the pandemic prevented an industry conference, but Scotland’s Tourism Industry Conference is back, with promises of bigger and bolder than ever before. Featuring a stellar line-up of inspirational and thought-provoking speakers, and a packed programme of relevant and engaging content, the event is designed to support Scotland’s attractions sector and entire tourism industry…
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Eildon Melrose Log Cabin wins at European Holiday Home Awards

A luxury log cabin with hot tub in the South of Scotland has won Best Green Holiday Home from the European Holiday Home Awards. Reiver’s Hideaway, located in Melrose, is new this year to the cottage offering from Eildon Melrose Holiday Cottages and Log Cabins, and a second log cabin is already scheduled for construction…
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Engagement tour discussing the future of the South of Scotland economy

The South of Scotland Enterprise has launched its first ever engagement tour of the South of Scotland, visiting 24 villages and towns across the region. The first meeting was held today, 8 November, in Dumfries and further meetings are running until March 2022.  There are also two virtual events for those unable to attend in-person.…
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Station House cookery School

Cookery School gets quality mark from ICSA

The Station House Cookery School  has been awarded a prestigious kitemark of quality and accreditation from leading regulatory body, the Independent Cookery School Association (ICSA). The school, based in the picturesque fishing town of Kirkcudbright, in Dumfries and Galloway runs a variety of culinary courses to train both novice cooks and aspiring chefs in a…
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funding marketing south of scotland

SSDA Newsletter September 2021

£240K FUNDING BOOST FOR THE SOUTH The SSDA are delighted to be awarded funding from VisitScotland’s Destination and Sector Marketing Fund and the Destination Leadership Recovery fund. We will be implementing the awards until March, working with businesses across the South of Scotland on marketing and product development activities. Local destination groups also recently awarded…
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Visitor Attraction survey highlights continuing problems for sector

Scottish Visitor Attractions Battling to Stay in Business

The latest survey of Scotland’s visitor attractions has revealed that the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to devastate the sector – and it has seen no evidence of a ‘staycation boom’. Less than half of the sector (48.1%) is currently fully open and more than one in ten attractions remain closed. A further 40.9%…
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Borders Book Festival

Hilary Mantel headlines Borders Book Festival at Abbotsford

Literary giants Hilary Mantel and Alexander McCall Smith, crime-writing royalty Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Christopher Brookmyre and Denise Mina and political leaders Ed Balls, Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband are just a few of the highlights of the 2021 Baillie Gifford Borders Book Festival, this year being held in November at Abbotsford, home of Sir…
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Wigtown Book Festival appeal

Authors support £25K appeal for Wigtown Book Festival future

As Wigtown Book Festival gets underway authors have spoken about the urgent need to support and value Scotland’s cultural events. The festival is running a £25,000 Book it and Spread the Word fundraising appeal to help secure its future and ensure it thrives. Let’s hope a massive success this year will secure its future – Val McDermid After…
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