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National Geographic hails 'thrilling and overlooked' part of Scotland

Giancarlo RinaldiSouth Scotland reporter
Getty Images A woman in a red coat and jeans walks along a rural road with grass and gorse bushes at the sideGetty Images
Walking, cycling and star gazing are among the attractions offered Dumfries and Galloway

A "thrilling and overlooked" part of Scotland has received recognition as one of the best travel destinations on the planet

Dumfries and Galloway is the only UK site on the National Geographic's Best of the World list for 2027.

It praises the area's attractions including its role as a dark sky destination for stargazers, as well as its cycling and walking routes.

Tourism body the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) said it was an "extraordinary opportunity" to promote the region to "new audiences around the world".

What is the National Geographic list?

Getty Images A misty morning in the Galloway Forest Park with a road winding its way through the countryside and tree-lined hillsGetty Images
National Geographic said the area offered landscapes "as wild as the Highlands"

National Geographic releases its Best of the World list every year. It celebrates places and travel experiences that "illuminate the world and the diversity of communities and people within it".

Selected by editors from around the world in collaboration with experts and expedition leaders, the list features both up-and-coming destinations and established locations with "something new to offer".

Last year's list included the Dolomites mountain range in Italy as well as Beijing and Rio de Janeiro.

National Geographic describes Dumfries and Galloway as "one of Scotland's most thrilling and overlooked destinations" offering "landscapes as wild as the Highlands and as romantic as the Islands".

It praised the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory, currently under construction in the Galloway Forest Park, as "one of the world's best spots for celestial viewing".

Other highlighted attractions include a new coastal hiking trail around the Rhins of Galloway and the region's world-class biking terrain, which it describes as being "spruced up just in time to host the opening leg of the 2027 Tour de France."

Why Dumfries and Galloway?

ARPL Architects A computer-generated view of how the new Dark Sky Observatory might look with two domed buildings and a more traditional building beside it set in green countrysideARPL Architects
A new observatory is being constructed at Clatteringshaws

The latest recognition highlights the region's reputation as a dark sky destination.

In 2009, the Galloway Forest Park was designated as the UK's first international dark sky park and a new observatory is due to open next year at Clatteringshaws.

It also recognises the area's coasts and castles, food and drink and unique wildlife and comes after a south of Scotland walking route was recognised in the Lonely Planet Best in Travel Guide.

St Cuthbert's Way, which follows the journey of a medieval monk through the Borders and Northumberland was chosen as one of the world's top travel experiences.

Getty Images An aerial view of the Dumfries and Galloway coast with houses looking out across a bayGetty Images
Coastal walks in Dumfries and Galloway are also recommended by National Geographic

What does it mean to businesses?

Cairndale Hotel and Spa A man with dark hair smiles into the camera. He is wearing a green suit jacket with flashes of blue on the lapels and a white shirt - unbuttoned at the neck - underneath.Cairndale Hotel and Spa
Matthew Wallace Jr runs the Cairndale Hotel in Dumfries

Matthew Wallace Jnr runs the Cairndale Hotel and Spa in Dumfries, winner of best hotel at the South of Scotland Thistle Awards earlier this month.

"There's a growing sense of energy, ambition and pride across the south of Scotland, with businesses coming together under the Scotland Starts Here brand to show the world what we offer," he said.

"Having a global name like National Geographic shine a light on Dumfries and Galloway is another exciting sign of that momentum."

A man with grey hair in a grey fleecy top stands in front of the harbour wall in Stranraer
Romano Petrucci runs the Central Cafe in Stranraer

At the western edge of the region, Central Cafe owner Romano Petrucci is chairman of the Stranraer Development Trust and the town's oyster festival.

"It's exciting to see National Geographic recognising what Dumfries and Galloway has to offer international visitors, and here in Stranraer we want to make the most of that attention," he said.

"With the oyster festival and growing enthusiasm for the vision of a major visitor attraction on the East Pier, there's a real sense of pride and possibility in the town.

"For businesses like mine, success means more people stopping, enjoying a meal, exploring our shops and discovering a place they'll want to come back to."

What benefits can it bring?

Getty Images A small lighthouse at a bay surrounded by housing with a large hotel up on a hill. There is a brilliant blue sky above.Getty Images
It is hoped the recognition can draw more visitors to the area

SSDA chief executive David Hope-Jones said the "wonderful recognition" reflected the "energy, creativity and hard work of tourism businesses and communities across the region".

"National Geographic's recognition gives us an extraordinary opportunity to introduce Dumfries and Galloway to new audiences around the world."

The recognition was welcomed by the local council, as well as Visit Scotland chief executive Vicki Miller, who described it as a "testament to the region's strong pull for visitors".

"Tourism and events are hugely important to the region, with the benefits of the visitor economy felt right across Dumfries and Galloway," she said.

"This exciting accolade will strengthen its reputation and profile as a first-class visitor destination."