A Castle Douglas community-run information centre is enjoying a bumper year as Galloway’s popularity as a tourist destination continues to grow.
Heart of Galloway has been open all year to cope with visitor demand – even in the depths of winter.
Latest figures show that more than 1,000 people a week are coming through the door at the Market Hill hub.
According to HoG manager Amanda Burney Galloway’s relative proximity to northern England and ongoing concerns over foreign travel are major factors.
She said: “There are a lot of people during lockdown who could not go abroad and bought camper vans instead.
“Those folk are still around and there’s been a big influx of that type of visitor here.
“I also think they are discovering Galloway as a part of Scotland they had never known before.
“The South West 300 route is proving popular – the promoters have produced a very good leaflet with a great map.
“People are telling us that instead of driving all the way up through Scotland for the North Coast 500 they are coming to do the 300 instead.
“These are visitors who would normally bypass Galloway and head north up the motorway.
“But last year the 500 was so overcrowded they came here – and they think it’s wonderful.”
Ms Burney revealed that for the week ending July 30, 1,107 people used Heart of Galloway – an average of almost 200 per day.
And key to that impressive figure, in her view, is surprise at the quality and diversity of Castle Douglas’ retail offer.
She said: “People are loving the welcome they get and the fact that Castle Douglas has a thriving high street.
“They like that there’s a lot of small independent retailers without then usual big chain stores.
“Folk ask if there’s just one street – but when they come back they tell us it’s wonderful and have spent hours down there, then show us their purchases.
“They say it’s a very welcoming town and like the free parking.
“That’s a big thing as well because people don’t have to be continually checking their watch and they can take their time.
“People coming from Yorkshire can’t believe they can park for free for as long as they like – it costs them £5 at home.
Heart of Galloway opens Monday to Friday 10am-4pm.
The on site cafe provides visitor services on Saturdays.
Ms Burney, who is employed by funders Castle Douglas Development Forum, has a team of 12 volunteers on the rota.
She said: “We are working towards getting it open seven days a week.
“It’s not all about searching on Google.”
