Outlander star Sam Heughan joined politicians, business leaders and musicians at the Scottish Parliament this week to mark five years of South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) with one clear message: the south is open for business and prouder than ever.
The reception on Wednesday night turned into a proper homecoming party, packed with whisky, live music and hard proof that a region often overlooked is now punching well above its weight.
Five Years, 10,000 Jobs and Counting
South of Scotland Enterprise launched in April 2020, right in the middle of lockdown, with a promise to do things differently.
Five years later the numbers speak loud and clear.
More than 10,000 jobs created or protected.
Over £50 million pumped into more than 800 businesses and community groups.
Every £1 invested by SOSE has delivered £5 back into the local economy.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes told guests those figures are just the start.
“She said the south was given the chance to write its own rules in 2020 and SOSE has grabbed that chance with both hands,” one attendee told me afterwards.
Sam Heughan Comes Home
The loudest cheers of the night were saved for Sam Heughan.
The Galloway-born actor stood up in the Parliament’s Garden Lobby, looked around at friends old and new, and admitted there was never any doubt where he would build his next business.
“No matter how far I travel, Galloway will always be home,” he said.
He was talking about his Galloway Distillery project in Newton Stewart, the latest addition to the region’s booming food and drink scene.
“For years people said nothing big happens down here. Nights like tonight prove them wrong,” Heughan added, before raising a glass to every small business in the room.
You could feel the room swell with pride.
Live Music and Local Talent Take Centre Stage
The Burns’ Trio brought proper traditional fire, Borders singer Devin Casson had people in tears with his voice, and Dumfries & Galloway’s own Ra closed the night on a high.
Between sets, conversations bounced from renewable energy projects in the Borders to new hotels opening along the Solway coast.
One business owner from Sanquhar told me SOSE funding let her turn an empty shop into a thriving bakery that now employs eight local people.
“Without them I would have closed during Covid. Instead we’re expanding,” she said.
Looking Ahead, Not Back
SOSE chair Russel Griggs promised the agency will keep listening, keep taking risks and keep backing people with big ideas.
Kate Forbes closed the speeches with a line that stuck with everyone: “The south of Scotland isn’t waiting for permission anymore. It’s getting on with it.”
Walking out of the Parliament into a cold January night, guests carried that feeling with them.
The south of Scotland just showed it belongs on the main stage, and with people like Sam Heughan cheering it on, the next five years look even brighter.
What do you think, has the south of Scotland finally found its voice? Drop your thoughts below and let’s keep this conversation going.
