The South of Scotland is to have its own dedicated regional tourism awards, as part of the prestigious annual Scottish Thistle Awards, celebrating excellence in Scottish tourism and events, it was announced today. David Hope-Jones OBE, new-in-post Chief Executive of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) revealed the Thistle Awards news as he welcomed…
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It’s been a wonderful first month in post. Thank you to all who have taken the time to meet me and share their vision and their priorities for the future of tourism in the South of Scotland. If you fancy chatting and haven’t already, do watch my introduction video and schedule a meeting. I am…
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A packed programme of topical talks, breakout sessions and networking opportunities has been unveiled for the South of Scotland Destination Alliance’s (SSDA) second annual conference being held at Peebles Hydro next month, for which tickets are already being snapped up. Appropriately for 2023, when the region will come under the spotlight as home to one…
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Big DoG and Hooked are teaming up to provide a bumper weekend of children’s and young people’s books, storytelling and other activities. Taking place at Moat Brae in Dumfries from 30 March to 2 April it will feature some of the nation’s favourite children’s and young adults’ authors. The full programme will be unveiled and…
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Lee Randall, a well-known figure in Scottish literature and media, has been appointed as Guest Programmer for the 25th Wigtown Book Festival. The festival takes place from 22 September to 1 October and brings together leading authors, poets, journalists, scientists, politicians, singers and a multitude of others for hundreds of events in and around Scotland’s…
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South of Scotland Visitor Economy Week in March will highlight rewarding careers in tourism and hospitality across the region A range of organisations and further and higher education centres in the South of Scotland have teamed up to launch a new South of Scotland Visitor Economy Week in March. The dedicated information and awareness week,…
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One hundred studios across Dumfries and Galloway will be throwing open their doors for the 21st Spring Fling. Scotland’s leading open studios weekend, which is from 27 to 29 May, is a superb opportunity to meet wonderfully creative people who live and work in one of Scotland’s most beautiful rural regions. All have been specially…
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Threave Nature Reserve, near Castle Douglas, is hosting the ambitious and innovative 100-year long Threave Landscape Restoration project. Over the past 18 months, a complete change in management approach on the site has taken place, with the reconnection to natural processes and systems to create a self-balancing and self-sustaining mosaic of habitats that can be…
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The South of Scotland Destination Alliance has created bespoke themed routes following in the footsteps of Robert Burns and inspired by the Great Tapestry of Scotland Two new driving trails have been formally launched by the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) and partners today, designed to immerse visitors in the story-filled landscape of the…
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Promising an injection of energy at a time of year when it is in short supply, the Eastgate Theatre’s brand-new Wild Writers Festival looks set to banish potential winter blues. Held over the weekend of 27-29 January, the festival celebrates the wealth of exceptional writing that explores people’s relationship with the living world – from…
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