Destination Tweed, which is described as ‘a unique source-to-sea restoration and revitalisation project’, has been awarded a grant of £2,980,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The money will aid the creation of a 113 mile trail running from Moffat, past the source of the river, to Berwick Upon Tweed, where it joins the sea.
It is being led by Tweed Forum and developed in collaboration with landowners and partners, including Dumfries and Galloway Council South of Scotland Enterprise and the Southern Uplands Partnership.
There will be an overall investment of around £23 million in the area, with a wide range of cultural, river and landscape enhancement projects also included.
The forum team say Destination Tweed will harness the area’s tourism potential and deliver woodland, river and designed landscape restoration and cultural activities as well as archaeological site investigation and innovative interpretation. It will provide education opportunities for people of all ages to learn about the importance of the river to the region and how it is managed, as well as community grants and economic development opportunities for local businesses.
It will be delivered in stages and is expected to take five years to complete.
Tweed Forum director Luke Comins said: “Destination Tweed will deliver a unique, quality-focused tourism experience that conserves, connects and promotes attractions and communities in and around the entire length of the river, from Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway, through the Scottish Borders and into North Northumberland.
“It’s an ambitious project that will respect and showcase the Tweed’s rich natural, built and cultural assets and which has the potential to bring huge economic, cultural, environmental and social benefits to the area.
“We’re extremely grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for this significant grant award.”
Caroline Clark, director for Scotland, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added: “Destination Tweed offers a real vision for connecting communities along the length of the river, supporting the local environment, infrastructure and economy.”
