About

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Harnessing our amazing heritage to boost economic activity for a sustainable future

The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership connects the people living and working in the area with its heritage and landscape. In doing so, we are working to secure a prosperous future for the communities around the Water of Ken and River Dee, right from their source to the sea.

The Galloway Glens region, based on the Ken and Dee catchment and linked by the waterways, has reinvented itself throughout history and now includes a wide range of habitats and land uses. Located in the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, an international designation that recognises the fantastic array of landscapes, wildlife, cultural heritage and learning opportunities that SW Scotland offers, the Galloway Glens region is truly special. The primary settlements of Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright are linked to a more rural environment heading north through the area known as the Glenkens and including the villages of New Galloway, Dalry and Carsphairn.

Now better known as an area of farming, forestry, energy generation, attractions such as the Dark Sky Park and a relaxed pace of life, it cannot be forgotten that this region was at the cutting edge of progress in a number of sectors throughout history. This includes the development of a pioneering hydroelectric scheme, the residence of James Clerk Maxwell and the birthplace of S.R. Crockett. The area played a significant role in Robert the Bruce’s story, inspired Robert Burns and was known for its Covenanter activity. The Scheme will highlight these past notes of international significance, as well as looking forward to a thriving and sustainable future.

The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership resulted from local interest in the area and a wish to better understand the heritage contained therein. It consists of a range of organisations including Dumfries & Galloway Council, local community organisations, The Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere, Forestry and Land Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland, the RSPB and Historic Environment Scotland. The Partnership is ably supported by thematic working groups allowing us to access an even wider pool of local skills and knowledge.

In November 2015, the Partnership was successful in receiving stage one approval from the Heritage Lottery Fund (as it was then). In December 2017, the stage 2 application was approved by the HLF and £2.7million of project funding over five years was secured. The partnership projects will match this up to a total investment of £5million.

The Delivery phase of the Partnership therefore formally began in April 2018 and will last until September 2023. 35 headline projects across 6 Themes will be delivered, some led by our partners, some led by the Galloway Glens, but all designed to harness our amazing heritage to boost economic activity for a sustainable future.