Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Reserve

[Geoff]

The proposed new-style UNESCO Biosphere:

Challenges and Opportunities for the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Reserve
The Biosphere Reserve team, researchers from the University of Glasgow, local community groups, convervation agencies, land-managers, land-owners and businesses discuss the challenges and opportunities for sustainable rural development within the proposed Biosphere Reserve.

WHEN: 30th June 2011, 10am - 3pm
WHERE: New Cumnock Community Centre, New Cumnock, East Ayrshire
www.fireregimes.org.uk/Biosphere/biomap.jpg

The arched border of the "Transition Zone" from Alloway to Dumfries (following the rivers Doon & Nith) would fit in nicely with the name: The Robert Burns Galloway'n'SABRe.
www.fireregimes.org.uk/Biosphere/

[Geoff]

This is the only hit when searching the Ayrshire Post for "Biosphere":

Town with hope is in a box Sep 12 2008

A SMALL town in Ayrshire is going through a regeneration process at present and needs all the backing it can get from politicians, locals, businesses and the tourist industry.

Most surveys in the area specify tourism as a possible route to take for a settlement at one of the Gateways to Ayrshire and a Gateway to the Carrick and Ayrshire Biosphere.

Then why, for the last few years, does the Ayrshire and the Isle of Cumbrae Visitor Guide display a map of Ayrshire and Arran with a box covering just one Ayrshire town? You guessed it – New Cumnock. One of the oldest settlements in Kyle, mentioned way back in 800 AD

A place where, according to Blind Harry, even the great William Wallace held up, recuperating for three months in the winter of 1296 and had a stockade of some kind up the Afton Glen. The same Afton which Robert Burns wrote about so sweetly. But that's not on the map either.

Surely we don't need letters of the alphabet on both sides of the map.

Move the "road distances" box over and down a bit into Dumfriesshire, I'm sure they wouldn't mind.

www.ayrshirepost.net/comment/ayrshire-post-letters/2008/09/12/town-with-hope-is-in-a-box-102545-21714206/

[Geoff]

[A tourism body has welcomed a study showing the economic benefits of the UK's only Dark Sky Park in Galloway.

The report, produced for Forestry Commission Scotland, shows an influx of stargazers boosted off-season winter income for accommodation providers.

Of 35 guest houses and bed and breakfast operators surveyed, 77% reported an increase in bed nights.

Wilma Finlay, who chairs Destination Dumfries and Galloway, said the findings were hugely encouraging.

They showed combined income at the accommodation sites surveyed rose by more than £40,000.

The report authors said the results represented only a partial assessment of the benefits of Dark Sky status, and the actual economic impact was likely to be much greater.]


www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-17988825

[Geoff]

Revenue from Recreation event



Scottish Land & Estates and the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere will be hosting a FREE event 'Revenue from Recreation – The provision of products and services to the outdoor activities market' on 12 September 2012 at Cream o’ Galloway.

During the event VisitScotland Regional Director for Dumfries & Galloway, Paula McDonald, will speak about the outdoor and activity tourism market in Southern Scotland, focusing on existing and potential markets, diversification opportunities and challenges such as planning, funding, image, marketing, compatibility and networks.

Outdoor recreation is widely accepted as a mature and growing industry within Scotland. It has been bolstered in recent years by a trend towards holidaying at home and growing interest in the countryside, both natural and farmed, which has been cultivated by television programmes such as Countryfile and Springwatch.

With the recent Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Designation adding a further dimension to the visitor market in the southwest of Scotland, the event will explore the business opportunities that the outdoor recreation market presents for farmers, landowners, and other rural businesses.

The day will take place at Cream o’ Galloway, Rainton Farm, Gatehouse of Fleet in Scotland’s beautiful southwest, an area which lends itself perfectly to the development of outdoor and activity tourism.

As well as VisitScotland giving an overview of the market and its potential, other speakers include Southern Uplands Partnership who will talk about the potential the biosphere designation offers, this is followed by a series of case studies from providers and those who partake. Following a question and answer session and lunch the afternoon session will be an optional tour of Cream o’ Galloway’s operation.

[Geoff]

Attended Revenue from Recreation Event at Cream o' Galloway

In conjunction with Building Opportunities in the Biosphere and kindly hosted by Cream o' Galloway, Scottish Land & Estates I attended this free event.

[ Outdoor recreation is widely accepted as a mature and growing industry within Scotland. It has been bolstered in recent years by a trend towards holidaying at home and growing interest in the countryside, both natural and farmed, which has been cultivated by television programmes such as Countryfile and Springwatch. With the recent Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Designation adding a further dimension to the visitor market in the southwest of Scotland, we explore the business opportunities that the outdoor recreation market presents for farmers, landowners, and other rural businesses. ]
www.scottishlandandestates.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1630:revenue-from-recreation-event-at-cream-o-galloway&catid=66:south-west&Itemid=147
Was extremey impressed with the Cream o' Galloway set up and attitude towards tourism.
It was great to meet other people who believe in the future of tourism in the south west of Scotland.
13/09/12
Cream o' Galloway welcomes every member of the family, from 8 months young to 88 years old!

There's action and adventure for big kids with: adrenaline pumping slides, pedal karts, bikes, unique woodland adventure playground including a 3D maze and a 40ft Viewing Tower.
www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/family-fun/Cream_o_Galloway/2147