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The Scots Chronicle logoThe Scots Chronicle

Dumfries & Galloway Named on National Geographic's Best of the World 2027 List

The region is the sole UK destination recognised for its evolving tourism offering and natural capital.

Generic image of a dramatic Scottish landscape with rolling hills and a distant coastline under a moody sky.
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Generic image of a dramatic Scottish landscape with rolling hills and a distant coastline under a moody sky.

Dumfries & Galloway has been recognised on National Geographic's Best of the World 2027 list, marking it as the only UK destination to be included as a must-visit location for the upcoming year.

The accolade is seen as a significant opportunity to attract more visitors and strengthen the region's visitor economy. Russel Griggs, Chair of South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), highlighted the area's 'amazing natural capital' as a key factor in achieving this honour, aligning with the South of Scotland's designation as Scotland's Natural Capital Innovation Zone.
Griggs emphasised that the recognition reflects a destination that is 'evolving, investing and thinking ahead', citing the innovation and resilience demonstrated by hundreds of organisations, businesses, and communities working across Dumfries & Galloway and the wider South of Scotland.
Notable examples of development and investment in the region include the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory at Clatteringshaws Loch, the Rhins Coast Path, the Stranraer Watersports Hub, and the Annan Harbour regeneration project. The area also boasts world-class gravel racing events, including those linked to the Tour de France Grand Depart, and notable food and drink offerings from distilleries such as Annandale, Galloway, and Moffat.
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"National Geographic's decision reflects the strength of our visitor economy offering, which we have helped support since our formation in 2020, including through our investment in a wide range of projects and our strategic investment in the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA)."

Russel Griggs · Chair of South of Scotland Enterprise
Griggs also stressed the importance of partnership working, noting that the recognition highlights the value of collaboration between SOSE, the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA), VisitScotland, local authorities, businesses, and communities. This collective effort has successfully raised the profile of the South of Scotland as a destination that combines exceptional natural assets with a modern, ambitious, and forward-looking tourism offer.
He concluded that the National Geographic accolade is a significant milestone for 2027 and a testament to years of collaboration, ambition, and forward thinking, reinforcing that 'Scotland really does Start Here'.
Based on information from the official source: South of Scotland Enterprise (20/10/2026)

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