National Geographic Names Dumfries and Galloway as Top Global Destination for 2027

Key Points

• Dumfries and Galloway has been named the only United Kingdom destination on National Geographic’s prestigious Best of the World list for 2027.
• National Geographic editors lauded the south-west Scottish region as “one of Scotland’s most thrilling and overlooked destinations,” comparing its landscapes to the Highlands and Islands.
• Featured regional highlights include the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory at Clatteringshaws, the Rhins of Galloway coastal trail, world-class cycling terrain hosting the 2027 Tour de France opening leg, historic castles, and wildlife.
• Regional tourism leaders and business owners, including the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) and VisitScotland, described the accolade as an extraordinary opportunity to reach international markets.

Britain Today News (BTN) October 20, 2026 – Dumfries and Galloway has achieved global acclaim after being designated as the only United Kingdom location featured on National Geographic’s official Best of the World list for 2027. Described by the publication as one of Scotland’s most “thrilling and overlooked” destinations, the south-west region was selected for its wild landscapes, dark sky observatory developments, world-class cycling terrain, and coastal walking routes. The recognition has been welcomed by local leaders and tourism bodies as an unprecedented catalyst to showcase the area to international travellers.

What Is the National Geographic Best of the World List?

National Geographic publishes its Best of the World list annually to celebrate travel experiences and destinations that illuminate the planet’s diversity of communities and environments. As reported by news coverage on the announcement, the list is compiled by editors across the globe in collaboration with travel experts and expedition leaders. The selection process evaluates both emerging locations and established destinations offering novel experiences. Previous installments of the prestigious list have featured international destinations such as the Dolomites mountain range in Italy, Beijing, and Rio de Janeiro.

Why Was Dumfries and Galloway Selected for 2027?

In its editorial selection, National Geographic described Dumfries and Galloway as offering “landscapes as wild as the Highlands and as romantic as the Islands.” According to media reporting on the release, specific emphasis was placed on the region’s star-gazing credentials, notably highlighting the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory currently under construction at Clatteringshaws in Galloway Forest Park, which was cited as “one of the world’s best spots for celestial viewing.”

Furthermore, National Geographic commended the region’s active tourism features, including a new coastal hiking trail encircling the Rhins of Galloway, rich culinary offerings, historic castles, and unique wildlife. The publication also praised the local mountain biking and cycling infrastructure, noting that the terrain had been “spruced up just in time to host the opening leg of the 2027 Tour de France.”

The distinction builds upon existing international praise for the south of Scotland. In 2009, Galloway Forest Park earned recognition as the UK’s first international dark sky park. Additionally, St Cuthbert’s Way—a historic walking route tracing the journey of a medieval monk through the Scottish Borders and Northumberland—was previously selected as one of the world’s top travel experiences in the Lonely Planet Best in Travel Guide.

How Have Local Businesses and Tourism Authorities Reacted?

The announcement sparked widespread celebration among regional stakeholders, tourism boards, and independent business owners.

As reported by journalists covering the regional tourism industry, David Hope-Jones, Chief Executive of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA), stated that the “wonderful recognition” reflected the “energy, creativity and hard work of tourism businesses and communities across the region.” He added: “National Geographic’s recognition gives us an extraordinary opportunity to introduce Dumfries and Galloway to new audiences around the world.”

Vicki Miller, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, welcomed the accolade, stating that it was a “testament to the region’s strong pull for visitors.” Miller highlighted the broader economic impact, noting that: “Tourism and events are hugely important to the region, with the benefits of the visitor economy felt right across Dumfries and Galloway. This exciting accolade will strengthen its reputation and profile as a first-class visitor destination.”

Local hospitality leaders expressed optimism regarding the impact on trade. As reported in regional news coverage, Matthew Wallace Jnr, operator of the Cairndale Hotel and Spa in Dumfries—which secured the title of best hotel at the South of Scotland Thistle Awards earlier this month—remarked: “There’s a growing sense of energy, ambition and pride across the south of Scotland, with businesses coming together under the Scotland Starts Here brand to show the world what we offer.” He emphasized that “having a global name like National Geographic shine a light on Dumfries and Galloway is another exciting sign of that momentum.”

At the western border of the region in Stranraer, Romano Petrucci, owner of the Central Cafe and Chairman of both the Stranraer Development Trust and the town’s annual oyster festival, shared a similar perspective. As reported by media outlets covering the announcement, Petrucci stated: “It’s exciting to see National Geographic recognising what Dumfries and Galloway has to offer international visitors, and here in Stranraer we want to make the most of that attention.”

Petrucci highlighted local regeneration projects, adding: “With the oyster festival and growing enthusiasm for the vision of a major visitor attraction on the East Pier, there’s a real sense of pride and possibility in the town. For businesses like mine, success means more people stopping, enjoying a meal, exploring our shops and discovering a place they’ll want to come back to.”

Background of the Particular Development

The inclusion of Dumfries and Galloway in National Geographic’s 2027 list represents the culmination of a long-term strategic push to reposition the south of Scotland from a transit corridor into a primary international tourism destination. Historically, overseas visitors to Scotland have concentrated heavily along the central belt—primarily Edinburgh and Glasgow—or navigated north toward the Scottish Highlands and Skye.

To counteract this distribution gap, regional stakeholders established the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) and launched joint promotional initiatives such as the “Scotland Starts Here” brand. Environmental and active leisure developments have formed the backbone of this transition. Galloway Forest Park established a major precedent in 2009 by becoming the first location in the United Kingdom to achieve International Dark-Sky Park status. The dark-sky economy has since grown significantly, prompting the ongoing construction and development of the new Scottish Dark Sky Observatory facility at Clatteringshaws. Furthermore, significant capital investment in coastal infrastructure—such as the Rhins of Galloway coastal path—and cycling networks has laid the structural foundation required to secure major international sporting events, including the grand start of the 2027 Tour de France.

Predictions: How This Development Can Affect the South of Scotland Tourism Economy and Local Communities

The global platform provided by National Geographic is anticipated to drive multi-faceted economic and structural changes across Dumfries and Galloway and the wider south of Scotland.

• Increase in High-Value International Visitor Traffic: Direct endorsement from an authoritative media title with a multi-million global readership typically leads to an increase in long-haul visitors, particularly from North American and European markets. This influx is expected to shift visitor demographics from short-stay domestic trips to longer, higher-spending stays.
• Extension of the Traditional Tourism Season: Because key attributes highlighted by National Geographic—such as dark-sky viewing at Clatteringshaws Observatory, autumnal hiking, and cycle routes—are non-seasonal or winter-centric, local hospitality providers are likely to experience higher occupancy rates during traditional off-peak months.
• Capital Investment and Local Job Creation: Increased demand will encourage expanded private and public investment across coastal towns such as Stranraer, as well as rural hubs across the region. Local supply chains—including independent eateries, transport providers, retail shops, and accommodation venues—can anticipate boosted revenues, potentially generating sustainable seasonal and full-time employment for rural communities.
• Infrastructure Pressures and Local Community Balance: While tourism operators stand to benefit economically, the prospective surge in visitors will require council planners to manage rural road maintenance, parking facilities, and environmental conservation along sensitive coastal paths and dark sky zones to preserve the natural character that earned the global recognition initially.