SOUTH of Scotland MSP Emma Harper has hosted her first meeting to trigger the process of establishing a tourist route in south west Scotland equivalent to the North Coast 500 – known as Scotland’s Route 66.
She invited a wide variety of stakeholders — including local business owners, parliamentarians, local government representatives and representatives from Visit Scotland, and Visit South West Scotland – to Kirkcudbright Bowling Club to explore the next steps for establishing a route.
Harper is spearheading a campaign to showcase everything Dumfries and Galloway, including an attraction similar to the NC500, which is a 516-mile scenic route around the north coast, starting and ending at Inverness Castle.
She said the idea was first mooted by Dumfries and Galloway SNP Councillor Iain Dick when Harper became an MSP and now she has the ear of Culture and Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop and Economy Secretary Keith Brown, she hopes to turn the dream into a reality.
Her first meeting was chaired by Creetown Initiative’s Lead Officer Andrew Ward and included a presentation from Roy Kirk of Highlands and Islands Enterprise who detailed the key success factors behind the development of the NC500. They all agreed that a tourist route showcasing south west Scotland was worth exploring and a steering group will now be established with the goal of commissioning a feasibility study to explore the potential of such a project in more detail.
Harper said: “I was pleased that so many people attended the meeting today to share their ideas on what a tourist route for the south west should look like. I am aware that a lot of work has been done by various groups and individuals on this idea already, so the aim of today’s meeting was to introduce everyone so that we can work together.
“It is clear to me that we have great people on board with excellent ideas and a shared understanding of the huge benefits a comprehensive, properly marketed route could bring to our beautiful area of the country. I have spoken with the relevant Government ministers regarding an equivalent South West route as well as MP and MSP colleagues in the south-west of Scotland, and representatives from South Ayrshire Council so that we connect and work together. We all support this project and I look forward to working with them all.”
Councillor Andy Ferguson said: “A positive discussion occurred around purpose, routes, potential for increasing jobs and economic growth.”
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