Local Destination Development Meetings - The Berwickshire Coast

The SSDA is committed to a locally-led, bottom-up approach to developing the South of Scotland as a world class visitor destination.

We want to harness the power, impact and scale of a ‘pan-South’ approach as we market the South of Scotland to the world, but we also want to work at a local level within the South of Scotland, to really listen to, engage, support and represent businesses and communities in locally relevant ways.

To achieve this, every six months we host meetings bringing together local businesses and communities in 14 areas right across the South of Scotland.

Upcoming 2025 meetings: We have set dates for Locally Led Destination Development meetings in all 14 areas of the South of Scotland for February and November. To be as inclusive as possible, each area will have one in-person and one digital meeting.

Light refreshments will be provided, please let us know of any dietary requirements

Standing agenda items:

Each of our LLDD meetings start with time to:

Really listen to all the local business representatives attending: hearing how trade is, what challenges they are facing, what opportunities and what specific actions they would like the SSDA to take forwards on their behalf.

Update local businesses on what actions the SSDA has delivered against local priorities since the last meeting.

Brief businesses on upcoming destination marketing campaigns and how they can get involved.

Review how that local area is promoted on Scotland Starts Here and invite feedback and input to this, to ensure we continue to have a genuinely locally-led approach.

Additional agenda items for Scottish Borders meetings:

In addition to the above standing items, the November LLDD meetings in the Scottish Borders will include time to discuss:

• Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development Plan. The SSDA has a formal role to support business input into the development of the Scottish Borders’ Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development Plan. This Plan maps out the top priorities in terms of infrastructure which needs investment. The Scottish Borders is then able to apply for Scottish Government Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund money to deliver against these infrastructure needs.
• Center Parcs. An update on the Center Parcs proposition and a chance for members to continue to input to the SSDA’s positioning.
• Borders Rail Completion. Update on the SSDA’s work engaging each of the seven main Scottish Political Parties, lobbying for manifesto commitments to complete the Borders Rail.
• River Tweed Trail. An update on opportunities around the forthcoming 113 mils walking and cycling route down the River Tweed.
• Workforce development. Update on what the SSDA has done advocating for a major investment in workforce development, based on what businesses said at the last LLDD meeting.
• Attracting high-spending North American visitors. Before the November meetings we will have a MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT which relates to this work. We can then speak in the meeting about how we will spread the benefits to as many members as possible, as we capitalise on a huge opportunity to raise our destination’s visibility to key north American markets.
• Visitor levy. Although Scottish Borders Council has not yet begun early engagement.
• CLLD funding. A chance for businesses to identify any specific priorities they would like funded as part of the CLLD funding programme.
• Paths and Trails. Local input into destination work to improve visitor information about paths and trails in the local area.

Brown signs. Local input to the full review of all c3,000 brown signs in the South of Scotland.

BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW as some venues have limited capacity.

16:00 - 17:00 - Join us for an exciting session with Edinburgh Geological Society

Unearthing New Stories for Visitors: The Geology of the Scottish Borders and East Lothian

Join geologists from the Edinburgh Geological Society for an inspiring session exploring the spectacular geology of the Scottish Borders and East Lothian coast. Discover the story of James Hutton, the local farmer whose revolutionary ideas at Siccar Point transformed our understanding of the Earth and earned him the title “the father of modern geology.”

As we approach the Tercentenary of Hutton’s birth in 2026, there’s never been a better time to explore how his story — rooted right here in our landscape — can enhance the experiences we offer to visitors. This session will highlight what’s happening to celebrate this milestone, share a wealth of free resources, and introduce local volunteers who can support you in weaving this world-changing story into your own visitor offer.

Whether you run tours, accommodation, attractions or visitor experiences, this is your chance to:

• Learn from expert geologists about the region’s remarkable coastal geology.
• Discover engaging stories that connect visitors to the land beneath their feet.
• Find inspiration for new themed tours, packages and content linked to Hutton’s legacy.
• Collaborate with local partners as we build towards the 2026 celebrations.

Let’s bring Scotland’s geological story to life — and help visitors see how the Scottish Borders and East Lothian quite literally changed the world.