This Spring, two long-standing nature festivals have joined forces to pack more of a punch and tempt visitors south to enjoy some of the land's most fertile wildlife havens.
The Dumfries & Galloway Wild Spring Festival - Scotland's largest and longest running wildlife festival - has merged with with The Scottish Borders Nature Festival to offer a hefty programme of events.
The RSPB, the Forestry Commission and the Scottish Wildlife Trust are among the organisations hosting more than 100 family-friendly events. To mark Scotland's Year of Food & Drink, the new festival has a series of events focussing on the area's outstanding natural larder.
The month-long celebration takes place just as nature is waking from hibernation, with the first scheduled event taking place this Saturday, April 4.
Project Manager for the Southern Uplands Partnership and spokesperson for the South of Scotland Wild Festivals, Pip Tabor said:
"By uniting The Dumfries & Galloway Wild Spring Festival and the Scottish Borders Nature Festival we hope to shine a spotlight on the naturally inspiring countryside, forests, gardens and coastline (around 250 miles of it) across the south of Scotland.
" Many events at these festivals are free and the local nature reserves and forestry visitor centres are second to none, offering the perfect way to get out in the fresh air and explore the south of Scotland this Spring."
In terms of tourism, Dumfries and Galloway has often lost out to other parts of the country. Without the dramatic scenery of the West coast and Highlands or the attractions of major urban centres, it has traditionally been a tad overlooked by visitors. However, with many tourists still to cotton on to its charms, the region's natural gems remain blissfully unspoilt which adds to the allure.
Enjoying a relatively warm climate because of the gulf stream, its' lush landscape is home to red squirrels, red kites, otters, osprey, red deer and sharks, no less.
Highlights of the upcoming festival include the Stars 'n' Stripes Badger Watching at Caerlaverock WWT, which involves watching the fascinating nocturnal creatures from a cosy vantage point with a mug of hot chocolate.
For something a little more active, take a wilderness canoe trip which operate daily from Galloway Activity Centre along picturesque Loch Ken, a prime spot for wildlife spotting.
Alternatively, explore Scotland's most southerly tip and enjoy a bit of seabird spotting during one of several ranger-led walks at the Mull of Galloway.
Join the Borders Forest Trust for a walk in the young native woodland that is helping to restore the historic Ettrick Forest. Identify the trees, learn about their folklore and sample some of the food produce that the forest will provide, such as cob nut biscuits and birch sap cordial.
If that has whetted your appetite, visit the Wild Seasons website at dg.wildseasons.co.uk for more details.
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