Scottish Borders’ nature tourism developments highlighted to Swedish delegation

Published: 26th September 2022

A group of Swedish local politicians view two emus at Bird Gardens Scotland

A range of Scottish Borders organisations and businesses have highlighted local nature tourism developments and opportunities to a group of visiting Swedish politicians.

Politicians and local managers from six Swedish towns - Eslöv, Hörby, Höör, Klippan, Ängelholm and Åstorp – visited for three days last week. Their hometowns are based around a river corridor similar to the River Tweed.

Packed itinerary

During their trip the Swedes met representatives of Tweed Forum, the Southern Upland Partnership, Go Wild Scotland, South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, visited the Salmon Centre and Eagles Eyrie at Philiphaugh and Bird Gardens Scotland at Oxton. They also enjoyed an afternoon’s fishing experience with local guide Bill Drew.

Councillor Scott Hamilton, Executive Member for Community and Business Development

“This was a fantastic opportunity to showcase just a small number of the many nature tourism projects and businesses in the Scottish Borders, and also showcase ongoing conservation work.

“Our region’s natural assets are a significant part of the reason why visitors come here, and in turn this has a very positive impact on our local economy through their spending and the jobs tourism supports.

“We want to develop this further, and that is why we continue to look at how we can support new and existing projects, such as Destination Tweed, which will establish a walking and cycle trail from Moffat to Berwick-Upon-Tweed and will deliver wide ranging benefits to residents, communities and businesses.”

During the visit to Tweed Forum, the Swedish delegates heard more about Destination Tweed project.

Destination Tweed Project Manager Luke Fisher

“Although led by Tweed Forum, Destination Tweed is about bringing together a wide range of partners, funders and stakeholders, ranging from landowners to riverside communities, to deliver an important new tourism asset that will have far reaching benefits, from economic and cultural to health and education.

“Crucially though, at the heart of the project is the protection and enhancement of the River Tweed corridor, and I was delighted to be able to share our vision with our Swedish guests and find out about what their goals are in their own region.”

More about Destination Tweed

Destination Tweed is a unique source-to-sea river revitalisation project that features the creation of a 113-mile trail running from Moffat, past the source of the River Tweed and on to Berwick Upon Tweed where the river meets the sea.

The multi-faceted initiative, which will see an investment of around £25million in the area, also includes a wide range of cultural, river and landscape enhancement projects.  All will combine to deliver significant economic, environmental, educational and social benefits to the south of Scotland. The River Tweed is a Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Destination Tweed is being delivered by Tweed Forum. Other partners involved in the project include ourselves, Northumberland County Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, South of Scotland Enterprise, Sustrans, Southern Uplands Partnership, Buglife, Borders Forest Trust, Tweedsmuir Community Company, SEPA, VisitScotland, NatureScot and landowners along the river.