A PROPOSED partnership between rural communities in Upper Annandale and the Scottish Borders could boost tourism in both areas
The Southern Uplands Partnership is looking to create links between communities in and around the Talla-Hartfell wild land area including Moffat, Tweedsmuir, Yarrow and Ettrick in order to create and define a vision for the future of the area.
Southern Uplands Partnership project officer, Donald Greig attended Tuesday’s meeting of Moffat Community Council to gauge community interest.
He said: “There are 42 wild land areas in Scotland and the Talla-Hartfell area is one of only two in southern Scotland, so the area just east of Moffat is something special and is in good company with other areas like the Cairngorms, Cape Wrath and the Cullin Mountains on Skye.
“We’re looking to collate the aspirations and concerns of communities and collaborate to define a vision for the area, because there is strength in numbers. And there’s a whole load of potential when you look at the area as a whole and cross promote to visitors.”
Moffat’s community councillors were enthusiastic at the prospect of the new partnership as Leys Geddes said: “I’ve been a long-time supporter of the Southern Uplands Partnership because this whole area is a playground for the outdoorsman and we have the accommodation and facilties, plus most of the area described is the Moffat hills.
“But we’ve yet to sell the whole area as a destination, it makes sense for Moffat and these communities to be a hub for holidays but we don’t have the structure and strength to implement it, so I completely support you.”
