THE TEAM behind the creation of the proposed Destination Tweed long distance walking and cycling route is seeking the views of visitor-facing businesses and organisations in the Scottish Borders and the areas in and around Berwick upon Tweed and Moffat to help inform its audience development work.

Destination Tweed is a Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal project led by Tweed Forum, with support from National Lottery Heritage Fund, Scottish Borders Council, Sustrans and NatureScot. Costing an estimated £20 million, it aims to upgrade and connect existing paths to create a 100-mile source-to-sea trail running from the Moffat hills, through the Borders and on to Berwick-upon-Tweed, creating a 100+ mile route that includes innovative interpretative experiences and ambitious activity programmes. By the time of its completion in 2027, the trail is expected to become a jewel in the region’s tourism crown, while at the same time delivering multiple opportunities and benefits for local communities, enhancing the environment and encouraging investment and business growth.

The audience survey takes just a few minutes to complete and will help the project team to better understand operator perceptions about visitors to the area and the extent to which they engage with the area’s heritage. It will also help the Tweed Forum team to address any barriers to engagement that might exist and to target potential new audiences.

Destination Tweed Project Manager, Luke Fisher, said; “This new route has the potential to deliver huge benefits to the South of Scotland and North Northumberland, so we hope that attractions, activity providers, event organisers and shops and hospitality businesses with a visitor focus will engage with our survey. This is just the start of a more in-depth conversation that we plan to continue as the project further develops. With everyone’s help, we hope to create a world-class visitor destination that celebrates, promotes and conserves the Tweed’s amazing natural, built and cultural assets, creating a valuable resource that benefits both the community and the natural environment.”

The River Tweed is Special Area of Conservation famed for its salmon fishing, historic houses and castles, literary connections and wonderful natural environment. The new Tweed trail will begin near Moffat close to the river source and will take in the great houses, histories, stories and landscapes to be found along the route. It will include extensive and innovative interpretation, digital access and natural heritage conservation projects including woodland and pollinator habitat creation, river restoration, invasive non-native species control and the restoration of designed landscapes. In addition, ambitious education, community and archaeology projects are planned, along with a programme of events, plus learning, skills, employment, training and business development opportunities.

The Destination Tweed Audience Survey can be accessed via the Tweed Forum website or through Tweed Forum’s social media pages and the deadline for completion is Sunday 5 September.

Additional partners involved in the Destination Tweed project are Southern Uplands Partnership, Buglife, SEPA, Borders Forest Trust, Northumberland County Council, Dumfries & Galloway Council and Tweedsmuir Community Company.