A new £18m sustainable tourism development in the Tweed Valley is set to bring 50 full-time equivalent jobs created during the works and 25 jobs on-site once it opens.
Forest Holidays has begun groundwork to create 56 cabins at Glentress Forest near Peebles, backed by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), which provided £2.6m towards the project, as well as Forestry and Land Scotland.
The company estimates the new location will increase the number of visitors to the Borders by 20,000 per year, with total guest expenditure to off-site facilities expected to generate more than £2m annually.
The cabins are expected to be open for the winter 2024 season.
Small Business, Innovation and Trade Minster Richard Lochhead said: “Tourism is one of Scotland’s most important industries and Forest Holidays’ new eco-tourism development is projected to draw thousands of new visitors to the Scottish Borders as part of the Glentress Masterplan.
“In addition to increasing tourism and the potential for overnight stays, this development will create new jobs and economic opportunities for the surrounding communities.”
Andrew Brook, director of sustainable growth at Forest Holidays, said: “Our environmentally sensitive cabin location will provide space in nature for people to stay overnight in a well-managed, ecologically diverse, and quiet forest environment, which in turn will support the forest for years to come.”
Professor Russel Griggs, chair of SOSE, added: “The Glentress Masterplan aims to help reinvigorate the Tweed Valley and the South of Scotland more widely as a major visitor destination and investments such as Forest Holidays are a major step to supporting this aim.
“The eco-tourism development will play a key role in developing Glentress’ already impressive facilities – which will go on show to the world this summer as part of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.”
Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.
