Press release: Global honour for Dumfries & Galloway

National Geographic lists region in the South of Scotland amongst best in world in 2027

Dumfries & Galloway has today (Tuesday, October 20) been named as one of the Best of the World destinations for 2027, by travel authority National Geographic.

The region is the only UK destination to be included in the prestigious list, with praise given to its awe-inspiring dark skies and cycling offering.

The accolade follows Lonely Planet featuring the South of Scotland in its Best of Travel 2027 list, with St Cuthbert’s Way, which starts in the Scottish Borders, selected as a top travel experience – again the only UK selection.

One of Scotland’s most thrilling and overlooked destinations offers landscapes as wild as the Highlands and as romantic as the Islands, now complemented by several new additions: the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory, in one of the world’s best spots for celestial viewing; a new coastal hiking trail; and a world-class biking terrain, spruced up just in time to host the opening leg of the 2027 Tour de France.

National Geographic says of Dumfries & Galloway

Each year, National Geographic releases its Best of the World list, celebrating destinations and travel experiences that illuminate the world and the diversity of communities and people within it.

Selected and written by Nat Geo Traveler editors from around the world - in collaboration with National Geographic experts and expedition leaders - the annual list features both up-and-coming destinations as well as timeless locations that have something new to offer.

The latest recognition highlighted Dumfries & Galloway’s reputation as a dark sky destination and comes just days after the inaugural South of Scotland Dark Sky Festival. In 2009, Galloway Forest Park was designated as the UK’s first International Dark Sky Park and is also a Gold Tier status Dark Sky Park. A new Scottish Dark Sky Observatory is due to open in the next year at Clatteringshaws.

The news was welcomed by the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA), the destination management and marketing organisation for the region.

This is wonderful recognition for Dumfries & Galloway and for the people who make it such a special place to visit. It reflects the energy, creativity and hard work of tourism businesses and communities across the region.

With the Tour de France coming to the South of Scotland next year and the new Scottish Dark Sky Observatory on the horizon, there is a real sense of momentum. National Geographic’s recognition gives us an extraordinary opportunity to introduce Dumfries & Galloway to new audiences around the world.

We want to turn that spotlight into lasting benefits for our communities, inspiring more people to visit throughout the year, stay longer and discover everything this remarkable part of Scotland has to offer.

David Hope-Jones OBE, Chief Executive of SSDA

Dumfries & Galloway’s appearance as the only UK destination in National Geographic’s Best of the World 2027 list is testament to the region’s strong pull for visitors.  

Dumfries & Galloway offers world-class stargazing, unique wildlife, fascinating castles, dramatic coastlines, cycling and outdoor activities in abundance, as well as delicious food and drink with strong local provenance and an incredible cultural and historical story to tell. 

Tourism and events are hugely important to the region, with the benefits of the visitor economy felt right across Dumfries & Galloway. This exciting accolade will strengthen its reputation and profile as a first-class visitor destination

Vicki Miller, VisitScotland Chief Executive

To be recognised by National Geographic as one of the world’s best destinations for 2027, and as the only destination in Scotland or the UK on the list, is a singular honour for Dumfries and Galloway.

This recognition celebrates what makes our region so special: outstanding landscapes, dark skies, coastline, cycling and walking routes, and the warm welcome offered by our communities and tourism businesses.

It is also a significant opportunity to raise Dumfries and Galloway’s international profile, strengthen our visitor economy and encourage more people to discover everything the region has to offer. I would like to congratulate everyone whose hard work has helped earn this well-deserved global recognition.

Councillor Stephen Thompson, Leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council

For years this stunning region of Scotland has attracted visitors from around the globe, drawn to its undulating coastline of rocky shoreline and sandy beaches, and acres of forest and green space.

Last year, a new 83-mile coastal path was launched taking hikers around the Rhins of Galloway where they can view deserted sandy beaches and empty bays, see lighthouses, glimpse a plethora of bird and wildlife as well as ruined castles and sheltered waters.

In Scotland’s Visitor Survey 2023, the top reasons for their trip amongst visitors to Dumfries & Galloway were scenery & landscape, history & culture and the availability of outdoor activities.

The region is also home to some world-class cycle trails, including the 7-Stanes mountain bike trails and stunning road rides take cyclists through pretty towns and villages.

The region is no stranger to global accolades, with the South of Scotland - which explicitly incorporates Dumfries & Galloway alongside the Scottish Borders - chosen as one of the top 30 global destinations by Lonely Planet in its prestigious Best in Travel 2023 list. Lonely Planet highlighted the region's deep historical roots, its expansive natural heritage, and its profound literary connections to iconic Scottish figures like Robert Burns.

National Geographic Traveller’s ‘Cool List’ 2024 named the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere as the only Scottish destination on the global list. Much of this designated biosphere stretches across Dumfries & Galloway and the listing celebrated the region’s natural heritage, sustainable tourism efforts and the newly-extended boundaries that include the Rhins of Galloway - Scotland's most southerly point.

For further information about Dumfries & Galloway, visit https://www.visitscotland.com/places-to-go/dumfries-galloway