Dumfries and Galloway is proving to be a hotspot for visitors, with recent data showing an increase in tourism during the typically quieter month of February.
The latest independent STEAM data reveals that the economic value of tourism in the area has surged by 21 per cent in just one year. This equates to a massive boost of £93 million.
As reported by the Scottish Daily Express, visitor numbers have also seen a significant rise of 32 per cent—bringing an additional 731,000 tourists to the region. Direct employment has also increased by 27 per cent, creating 1,500 more jobs.
Under the Scotland Starts Here initiative, Dumfries and Galloway—along with the Scottish Borders—have created an exciting new destination brand that’s gaining national and international recognition.
Last month, Ellisland Farm near Dumfries received a substantial investment of £313k from South of Scotland Enterprise and £489k from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This iconic location, which is the former home of Robert Burns, plays a crucial role in Scotland’s history and identity.
Additionally, the Cairndale Hotel’s new £2m destination spa is already attracting new visitors to the region. The award-winning spa spans 1,300 square metres over two floors, featuring a thermal pool, aroma steam room, Himalayan salt and infrared saunas, herbal lounge, and a private bathing suite.
Elsewhere, the shores of the stunning Clatteringshaws Loch in the heart of Galloway Forest Park will soon be home to the new Scottish Dark Sky National Observatory. This significant national asset, complete with a 360-degree planetarium, will capitalise on the region’s Gold Tier dark skies—the first such recognition in the UK—and attract stargazers during the winter months.
Gretna is also a remarkable asset within Dumfries and Galloway, hosting more than 10 per cent of all Scotland’s weddings. Even couples from across the UK uphold the tradition of crossing the border to tie the knot.
A fresh £8m investment is set to transform Gretna Green into one of Scotland’s top visitor attractions. Standouts include the upcoming construction of the £11m Star of Caledonia artwork and the popular Caledonia Park designer retail park.
The South of Scotland boasts more flagship long distance paths than any other part of the country, including the iconic Southern Upland Way and the new 80-mile Rhins of Galloway Coastal Path. The region, where the pedal bicycle was invented, is enhancing its cycling offerings with the new 250-mile on-road Kirkpatrick Coast to Coast cycle route and events like the Gralloch UCI World Gravel Series in the Galloway Forest.
Over £25m has been invested in Destination Tweed, which includes the development of the River Tweed Trail. This will allow visitors to walk the entire length of the Tweed.
Dumfries and Galloway is also gaining recognition as a prime destination for film and TV tourism. Drumlanrig, one of Scotland’s largest houses, has been as a key location for Apple TV’s Buccaneers.
The unique three-sided Caerlaverock Castle near Dumfries, built in the 1270s, will continue to inspire visitors for centuries to come. This is thanks to new conservation investment from Historic Environment Scotland announced this week.
Elsewhere, Dumfries and Galloway is home to some of Scotland’s most thrilling and inventive events. The Spring Fling stands as Scotland’s Premier Art and Craft Open Studios Event, offering visitors the chance to engage with local artists and appreciate the region’s remarkable artistry and creativity.
The Big Burns Supper in Dumfries also serves as the global hub for all things related to Burns. Additionally, the ten-day Wigtown Book Festival, located in Scotland’s National Book Town, forms part of a year-round programme catering to readers and writers of all ages.
Stranraer’s Oyster Festival is an event not to be overlooked either. It honours Scotland’s last remaining wild and native oyster bed, attracting new visitors to the southwest with celebrity chef demonstrations, live music, the Scottish Oyster Shucking Championships, fantastic food and drink, family entertainment, watersports, and a vast oyster bar featuring our sensational native oysters.
Stranraer is set to receive tens of millions of pounds in new investments too. The Stranraer Marina Expansion Project has been granted £18m from the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, while the new Stranraer Water Sports Hub has secured £4.7m of Levelling Up Funds and is expected to be completed in time for the SkiffieWorlds 2025.
Other projects include the Solway Coast and Marine Pilot Project, which aims to protect native oyster beds, seagrass and salt marshes, the 5G innovation zone funding, and an £8m investment to redevelop the Former George Hotel. There are also ambitious plans underway to build Scotland’s leading new visitor attraction in Stranraer, reflecting the energy and ambition for this beautiful part of Scotland.
Dumfries and Galloway, along with the rest of the South of Scotland, is a destination on the rise. It has developed a new Responsible Tourism Strategy that unites 700 visitor economy businesses with all public agencies.
Arguably, it has more energy, drive and ambition than any other part of Scotland. The South of Scotland Destination Alliance is the largest destination management company in all of Scotland.
By working together under the banner of Scotland Starts Here, the aim is to increase the value of tourism by £1bn a year. This is expected to support an additional 6,000 jobs.
This energy and ambition is already reaping rewards. In the esteemed Visit Scotland Thistle Awards (the Oscars of Scottish tourism), the South of Scotland bagged more national awards than any other part of Scotland in 2023—a first in the 30-year history of the awards.