Dumfries and Galloway is named the only UK destination on National Geographic's best places to visit list for 2027

National Geographic hailed the south-west Scottish region as 'one of Scotland's most thrilling and overlooked destinations', with landscapes 'as wild as the Highlands'. Its editors singled out the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory at Clatteringshaws, which is due to open next year. The region is set to host the opening leg of the 2027 Tour de France. David Hope-Jones of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance called it 'wonderful recognition'.

Galloway Forest Park became the UK's first International Dark Sky Park in 2009.

An 83-mile coastal path around the Rhins of Galloway opened last year.

Last year's list featured Italy's Dolomites, Beijing and Rio de Janeiro.