The Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere has achieved its second international travel accolade in as many months.

The UNESCO Trail has been named on Rough Guides’ much anticipated list of the ’24 best destinations to visit in 2024’.

Biosphere works in partnerships with local communities, businesses, and leading destination marketing organisations including VisitScotland and the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA)

Cumnock Chronicle:

The GSA Biosphere works to promote the region as a place for adventure, discovery and inspiration, and was also recently announced as having made National Geographic’s prestigious ‘Cool List’ for 2024

The UNESCO-designated region celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2022, with official confirmation of an expanded boundary earlier this year.

It now covers 9,720km² of land and sea including locations where key moments in Scottish history have played out, from the landing of St Ninian on the Whithorn coast to the birth of Robert Burns in Alloway.  

Cumnock Chronicle:

Rough Guides has been publishing travel inspiration and expert advice for more than 40 years and is highly regarded by a global readership for its commitment to “authentic insight, meaningful travel and new adventures”. 

Launched in 2021, the dedicated digital trail connects 13 place-based designations across the country.

Scotland’s UNESCO Trail is highlighted in the Rough Guides’ list under the category ‘Best destinations for meaningful travel’. 

Cumnock Chronicle:

Speaking about featuring on the list, Ed Forrest, the GSA Biosphere’s Director said: “It’s a huge honour for our region to be recognised by such respected travel publications as National Geographic and now Rough Guides, and the Biosphere team are excited to know word is spreading that Galloway and Southern Ayrshire is an incredible place to visit, whether for a long stay or just a long weekend.

"We’re especially proud of the recognition that this brings Scotland’s UNESCO Trail, which was founded on innovation, collaboration, and making sure that tourism is a force for good nationwide.”