A TRAIL running along the length of the River Tweed has received a major funding boost.

The Destination Tweed project by Tweed Forum will be part-funded by a £4.5 million investment over five years from South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE).

As part of the Destination Tweed, a long-distance walking route – with sections for cycling – will be created, running from Moffat to Berwick-Upon-Tweed.

Luke Fisher, Destination Tweed Project Manager at Tweed Forum, said: “We’d like to thank South of Scotland Enterprise for this significant grant which will help to create an important new tourism asset for the South of Scotland and for the country as a whole.

“The River Tweed is famed across the world for its salmon fishing, historic houses and castles, literary connections and wonderful natural environment.

“Destination Tweed aims to work with landowners and other partners across the region to harness this rich heritage and deliver a host of economic, environmental, educational, cultural and health benefits both for local communities and for visitors to the area.”

Covering a distance of 113 miles, the trail will connect numerous communities in the Borders.

The trail will be supported by an activity programme which will include events, educational and cultural engagement and conservation and enhancement projects.

This latest funding boost from SOSE follows a £2.98 million National Lottery Heritage Fund award the public body received in July – SOSE has an overall investment target of £25 million for Destination Tweed.

Professor Russel Griggs, chair of SOSE, said: “Destination Tweed will connect a number of areas right across the South of Scotland, who will gain from the provision of a new long distance walking route as well as valuable conservation and environmental projects.

“SOSE is committed to supporting projects that not only provide long-term benefits to the people across the South of Scotland but also work in sustaining our much-admired natural environment.”

Destination Tweed is part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal project which is led by Tweed Forum with support from Scottish Borders Council (SBC).

Leader of SBC Euan Jardine who is also co-chair of the Borderlands Partnership, said: “This cross-border project aims to maximise the positive impact that the River Tweed can have for communities along its banks, whilst at the same time ensuring that the river and its immediate surroundings are also protected and enhanced.

“This will deliver benefits to communities, local business, residents, visitors and landowners as well as supporting nature and biodiversity in the river corridor from source to sea.

“A full business case is being finalised to progress the release of funding from the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal for Destination Tweed, and it is exciting to see that significant momentum is building around this project.”