New 113-Mile Trail Expected to Boost Tourism in Southern Scotland

Scottish ministers anticipate that a new 113-mile trail, connecting Moffat and Berwick-upon-Tweed, has the potential to significantly increase tourism in the Scottish Borders. This path, designed for walkers and cyclists, has received £25 million in public funding, with £10 million contributed by the Scottish government. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and Business Minister Richard Lochhead each visited the area this week to endorse the initiative. Although its completion is still three years away, numerous tourism enterprises are already emerging to serve cyclists, walkers, and trail runners. The multi-purpose route will trace the River Tweed’s path through the Scottish Borders, encompassing towns such as Peebles, Kelso, and Melrose. Upon its scheduled completion in 2028, the Destination Tweed project is projected to draw hundreds of thousands of extra visitors annually to the region. Beyond recreation, the project incorporates elements of archaeology, education, and culture, alongside tree-planting and other environmental enhancements. Ms Forbes expressed her view that the increase in tourism should be complemented by investment in local communities. While visiting Old Melrose, she stated: “This is an ambitious programme which will not only protect and enhance the region’s treasured natural assets but, in the Tweed Trail, it will capitalise on these assets and help further grow, develop and showcase what the region has to offer.” She added, “We also need to make sure this boost in tourism is accompanied by investment so that there is sufficient housing and infrastructure.” Concurrently, Richard Lochhead, Ms Forbes’s colleague, observed 56 cabins at a new £20 million holiday development located in a forest above the Glentress mountain bike centre, near Peebles. He commented: “There are big ambitions to increase tourism here in the south of Scotland and create thousands of jobs, with cycling at the heart of that strategy – it feels like it is the dawning of a new era for tourism.” He further noted, “The region already has a reputation beyond Scotland as a centre of excellence for cycling, and we want to support the area to capitalise on that reputation as well as the amazing natural environment.” Lochhead concluded, “Tourism is all about economic growth and attracting investment – the developments I’ve seen today are testament that it is already working.” Last year, Glentress gained exposure to millions of television viewers by hosting the UCI world cycling championships. The Scottish Borders has also been the venue for numerous other international mountain bike events and stages of the Tour of Britain. The Forest Holidays development, positioned near the biking trails, has generated 25 permanent employment opportunities and supported an additional 50 roles during its construction. Andrew Brook, a director, stated: “It was the fact that this is a world-renowned mountain biking area and there are already excellent facilities here, that was a draw for us.” He added that “Mountain biking is prolific in the Tweed Valley and there is a push to promote the area for other pursuits such as trail running and walking as well as the arts.” Data from the most recent Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor (SSDA) indicates that the visitor economy in the south of Scotland expanded by £150 million, or 20%, year-on-year, reaching £911 million in 2023. A portion of this growth is attributed to the launch of the 250-mile Kirkpatrick C2C cycle route, which links Stranraer and Eyemouth. South of Scotland Enterprise provided grants to 30 distinct tourism businesses and social enterprises along this route to enhance their cycle-friendliness. Paula Ward, cycling strategy manager, reported: “There has been around 90,000 cyclists on the Kirkpatrick C2C in its first year.” She also noted, “The £300,000 of grants have helped add to the great facilities and accommodation that were already along the route.” Margot Smolenska and her husband, Erik, established Tweed Valley Pods near Innerleithen in the summer of 2023. They utilized their £10,700 grant to install bike washing and clothes drying amenities, along with a repair station, for their patrons. Margot commented: “We recognised the growing demand for accommodation from cyclists and other people who were coming here to enjoy the outdoors.” She added, “We’re only a small business with four pods, but we have already had a lot of repeat visitors in our first 18 months.” Smolenska concluded, “We are confident even more guests will be coming our way as more and more people learn about what this area has to offer.”