Online bid to promote Hawick is a success

The Town of 1,000 Trails initiative, which has been in the pipeline since 2017, is centred around what group members describe as a “highly interactive online hub”, centred around “trails” showcasing the beauty and cultural heritage of the town and the surrounding area.

The platform consists of a bank of walking, running, cycling and horse riding trails with routes available to download or print.

It also possesses an easy-to-use trail uploader, so that anyone can upload a personal trail that they have enjoyed, for others to enjoy too.

In addition to uploading their own trails, users of the platform can also leave comments, provide ratings and upload photographs.

The overriding aim, the group says, is to give the user everything they need to plan a trip to Hawick, with a business directory providing options on where to stay, eat, drink, shop and visit while in the area, and the event calendar keeping users up to date with what’s on during their visit.

Founding member Rory Bannerman, a senior partner of law firm Bannerman Burke, is relieved to see the group’s hard work finally put on show for locals to see.

He said: “It is just wonderful to know that our special town and countryside will, at last, get the exposure that she deserves after three long years of preparation.”

In a year that has seen many setbacks, with visitors being considerably lower compared to normal years, Rory believes that the initiative will not only provide a boost to local morale but also holds scope for visitors to discover Hawick in a brand new way.

He added: “I have no doubt that Hawick and the outlying villages will benefit enormously from the inevitable increased interest that the Town of 1000 Trails hub will attract.Now is the very time that people want to use the wide, beautiful, outdoors and we have the best places for that to be enjoyed.

“We want to make Hawick and the surrounding area the ‘go-to’ destination for walking, running, cycling and horse riding for all ages and abilities and to become a destination for tourists to enjoy heritage related attractions on foot, on bicycles or on horseback.”

The platform’s business directory provides the opportunity for local businesses to advertise their respected services for visitors of the platform to see.

The directory aims to aid local businesses as much as possible, with the potential for them to be seen by thousands of online visitors to the platform.

“We are aiming to bring local businesses on board and to encourage new ventures to grow up around our vision for attracting ever increasing visitors to the TD9 goldfield.”

To see what Town of 1,000 Trails has to offer, try searching Town of 1,000 Trails online or click here

It can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – @townoftrails.

Rory added “We want you to be at the heart of this project by uploading your own trails, images and reviews. We can showcase what is on offer here and give those visiting our beautiful area everything they need to plan a trip, but only you can share the experience.”

The Town of 1000 Trails group comprises Andrew Dobbie (Dobbie & Michie), Rory Ewart (Rory Ewart Consulting), Ms Karen Gateson (Casteye Consulting), Darren Thomson (Douglas Home & Co), Rory Bannerman (Bannerman Burke), Fred Stevenson (Royal Bank of Scotland), Stuart Oliver (Think Fitness), Dee Elliot (Bannerman Burke Properties Ltd), and Ronald Yule (Ronald Yule Media).