Skip to content

Could a new 113-mile trail spark a tourism boom in the south of Scotland?

Phil Wilkinson Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes holding up a new River Tweed Trail sign on a site overlooking a river and colourful autumnal treesPhil Wilkinson
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes was in the Borders to announce £10m of funding for the Destination Tweed project

A new trail linking Moffat with Berwick-upon-Tweed could spark a tourism boom in the Scottish Borders, according to Scottish ministers.

The 113-mile path for walkers and cyclists has secured £25m of public funding, including £10m from the Scottish government.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and Business Minister Richard Lochhead have both made separate visits to the region this week to support the project.

It is still three years away from completion but there are already dozens of tourism businesses springing up to cater for cyclists, walkers and trail runners.

A picturesque view of the Tweed Valley with autumnal trees in the foreground and Peebles in the distance
The Tweed Valley has become a magnet for cyclists from across the world

The multi-use path will follow the course of the River Tweed through the Scottish Borders, passing through Peebles, Kelso and Melrose.

Once completed in 2028, it is forecast the Destination Tweed project will attract hundreds of thousands of additional visitors each year to the area.

It also involves archaeology, education and culture strands, as well as tree-planting and other environmental improvements.

Ms Forbes believes that the tourism boost should go hand in hand with investment in local communities.

During a visit to Old Melrose she said: "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.

"We also need to make sure this boost in tourism is accompanied by investment so that there is sufficient housing and infrastructure."

Meanwhile her colleague, Richard Lochhead, was given a preview of 56 cabins at new £20m holiday development in a forest above the Glentress mountain bike centre, near Peebles.

He said: "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.

"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.

"Tourism is all about economic growth and attracting investment - the developments I've seen today are testament that it is already working."

Minister for business Richard Lochhead smiling at the camera as he stands outside a new timber cabin at Glentress
Minister for business Richard Lochhead at the new Forest Holidays development near Peebles

Glentress was showcased to millions of television viewers last year when it hosted the UCI world cycling championships.

Many other international mountain bike events have also been staged in the Scottish Borders, along with stages of the Tour of Britain.

The Forest Holidays development, which is situated close to the biking trails, has created 25 permanent jobs as well as supporting a further 50 positions during the construction phase.

Director Andrew Brook said: "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.

"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."

Andrew Brook, wearing a high-vis jacket, on the porch of a forest cabin with trees in the background
Andrew Brook is a director with Forest Holidays

The latest Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor (SSDA) figures show that the south of Scotland visitor economy grew year-on-year by £150m - or 20% - to £911m during 2023.

It is believed that part of the increase is due to the opening of the 250-mile Kirkpatrick C2C cycle route between Stranraer and Eyemouth.

South of Scotland Enterprise supported 30 different tourism businesses and social enterprises along the route with grants to make them more cycle-friendly.

Cycling strategy manager Paula Ward said: "There has been around 90,000 cyclists on the Kirkpatrick C2C in its first year.

"The £300,000 of grants have helped add to the great facilities and accommodation that were already along the route."

Paula Ward, wearing a green and black dress, outside a holiday pod with trees is the background
Paula Ward from South of Scotland Enterprise

Margot Smolenska, along with her husband Erik, opened Tweed Valley Pods near Innerleithen during the summer of 2023.

They used their £10,700 grant to introduce bike washing and clothes drying facilities, as well as a repair station, for their guests.

Margot said: "We recognised the growing demand for accommodation from cyclists and other people who were coming here to enjoy the outdoors.

"We're only a small business with four pods, but we have already had a lot of repeat visitors in our first 18 months.

"We are confident even more guests will be coming our way as more and more people learn about what this area has to offer."

Businesswoman Margot Smolenska smiling at the camera outside a small wooden pod
Margot Smolenska outside one of her Tweed Valley pods