SCOTLAND’S VERY OWN COSTA DEL SOLWAY (Jim Hume)

SCOTLAND’S VERY OWN COSTA DEL SOLWAY

November 30, 2007 12:00 AM

Jim Hume, MSP for the South of Scotland, called upon the Scottish Government to recognise the potential in the region for developing existing tourism and creating new tourism opportunities and ventures during yesterday's debate.

Jim Hume said:-

"I took the chance to shamelessly plug the South of Scotland simply because it has so much to offer and is quite often overlooked in favour of the highlands and islands, despite its equally if not more turbulent past than northern Scotland.

"The battle of Flodden in 1513 saw the bloodiest battle between the Scots and the English. Commemorations still take place each year, with Flodden day in the Berwickshire town of Coldstream and the Hawick and Selkirk common ridings, not to forget Gala. In the past, battles were daily occurrences. Events such as the much-lamented MacDonald and Campbell tragedy in the Highlands were commonplace, almost everyday, occurrences.

"Whatever you're looking for whether it be rare books in Wigtown - home of Scotland's book festival, which is a hugely successful event - or specialities such as are found at the Teviot Game Fare Smokery and Water Gardens near Kelso, or mountain biking and outdoor activities at the 7Stanes project and Tweed valley adventure sports at Traquair and Glentress, there really is something for everyone.

"RSPB have numerous reservations across the region. I visited two recently, the Wood of Cree near Newton Stewart and Mersehead near Kippford - right on the Solway coast which with its warm climes must be Scotland's very own Costa del Solway.

The MSP continued:-

"But tourism needs infrastructure. Good quality, clean and efficient integrated transport is key to allowing visitors to get around and enjoy all of Scotland. That is critical, especially as the market is dominated by short breaks.

"And worryingly, in real terms, the budget for natural heritage, the water environment and coastal protection has been cut. That is worrying for areas such as the south of Scotland, because if we are to continue to draw first-time and repeat visitors, it is crucial that we maintain the environment and the coastline.

"It is vital that our potential for untapped tourism is identified and taken forward to develop further the excellent sites that we already have in Scotland. I hope that the shake-up of VisitScotland and Scottish Enterprise does not result in the South of Scotland losing out in terms of local tourism initiatives."