Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership launches new Low Carbon Days Out

The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership has announced the addition of two new itineraries to its popular series of Low Carbon Days Out, which launched to wide acclaim in summer 2024.

Designed to promote environmentally-friendly leisure and tourism in southwest Scotland, Low Carbon Days Out encourage local people and visitors to explore the UNESCO Biosphere in the most sustainable ways. The guides are available as foldaway leaflets and in digital format, and provide ideas for a range of adventures by bus, bike and rail.

The two new routes cover The Stewartry and Carrick & Alloway, and join existing itineraries for Sanquhar & Wanlockhead, The Machars, and Stranraer & The Rhins of Galloway. Each guide is free to access and can be used on-the-go via a mobile phone, or picked up in hard copy from community venues, travel hubs, and tourist information points. Up-to-date bus and train schedules are provided for each route, accessed directly via QR codes on the leaflets and through links on the Low Carbon Days Out webpages at www.gabiosphere.org.uk.

Last year's development of Low Carbon Days Out attracted Scottish Government funding through the 2050 Climate Group, recognising the project's alignment with national Net Zero targets and its particular support for younger and older people to make use of their entitlement to free travel on public transport. Highlighting places of natural, cultural and historic interest, recommended stops along the new routes include Culzean and Dunure Castles, Ayrshire's Coastal Path and Snorkel Trail; the birthplace of Robert Burns and the legendary Brig O' Doon; Castle Douglas; the artists' town of Kirkcudbright; NTS Threave; and Cairnsmore of Fleet National Nature Reserve, one of the UNESCO region's ecologically precious Core Areas.

The GSA Biosphere Partnership is a registered Scottish charity working across the largest UNESCO Biosphere in the UK. Its wide-ranging programme of community-based initiatives, experiential workshops and accreditation schemes support conservation, education, climate resilience and sustainable development in Dumfries & Galloway, East and South Ayrshire. The organisation is particularly recognised for promoting nature-friendly slow tourism through the Biosphere Visitor Charter, the Biosphere Certification Mark scheme, and the Sustainable Event Charter. Galloway and Southern Ayrshire is recognised as a world class destination for environmentally-friendly travel experiences, and is part of Scotland's award-winning UNESCO Trail.

Tamara Fulcher, the GSA Biosphere Partnership's Communications & Marketing lead, oversaw development of the new Low Carbon Days Out and is coordinating their rollout as the summer visitor season gets underway. Tamara says: "We were absolutely delighted with the feedback from last year's launch, though it wasn't entirely a surprise; people are actively looking for opportunities to be more sustainable on holiday and in their free time and Low Carbon Days Out were created in response to that ask. They address the urgency of action for sustainability without being preachy or proscriptive; it's all about raising confidence in alternative ways to explore, and inspiring people to leave the car at home from time to time.

"Adding two new routes has expanded coverage of this vast UNESCO Biosphere and is a fantastic complement to our other self-guided itineraries which offer a range of themes and a choice of starting points. I'd add that we warmly welcome enquiries from any local business that would like to host Low Carbon Days Out leaflets, we'd be very pleased to send them a batch to share with customers and guests."  

Councillor Alec Clark, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Rural Affairs who represents South Ayrshire Council on the UNESCO Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Board said: "I'm delighted that Carrick & Alloway have been added to this successful initiative. 

"There are so many options across South Ayrshire when it comes to travelling sustainably and lowering our carbon footprint. The biosphere is here because we work hand in hand with nature, so it makes sense to leave the car behind where possible.

"Our coastline is easy to access and features exciting activities such as the South Ayrshire snorkel trail. Running from the village of Lendalfoot to the town of Troon, the trail takes in castles, ancient volcanic sea caves and secluded sandy coves.

"Travelling by bus or rail can be a great way to start your adventure and with the summer holidays approaching, now is the perfect time to explore."

All five Low Carbon Days Out can now be downloaded free from www.gsabiosphere.org.uk. For further information or to request hardcopy guides, please email info@gsabiosphere.org.uk.