Heavy snow 20 months ago in March 2013 prevented a delegation from Spain from experiencing the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere but so impressed were they by the passion of local people that they organised a return visit. This time they were luckier and were able to experience the Galloway Hills and make comparisons with their own Urdaibai Biosphere designated by UNESCO in the Basque Country.

The group were keen to learn from the success of businesses that have made the most of their special locations in the Biosphere. They visited Cream O’Galloway, The Brake Pad bike shop at Kirroughtree 7 Stanes and Leeming & Paterson photographers who have recently published Zero Footprint, a book that features images all taken from the same point in the Glenkens.

The visitors were particularly inspired by initiatives which had a strong community involvement such as the Catstrand cultural hub and the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory near Dalmellington.

Paula Caviedes Director of Urdaibai Biosphere said she was “impressed at the level of commitment from both the businesses and community members she met and following discussions with representatives from the Scottish Government and the Biosphere Partnership board members was enthusiastic about the prospect of further partnerships between the two regions.”