The beautiful UK seaside region that's haunted by a 'curse'

One of Scotland's most beautiful regions is grappling with the "curse" of depopulation, with numbers expected to plummet further in the coming decades. Dumfries and Galloway, in the western Southern Uplands, has a rich history dating back to ancient times, and its scenic hills, woodland, cliffs, and beaches have long ranked among the most picturesque parts of the country. Dwindling investment in infrastructure and services, including schools and public transport, has contributed to a growing crisis in the region; however, its population has shrunk by 2.42% in the last decade.

According to The Herald, the council area's population is expected to drop below 140,000 for the first time by 2043, shrinking from 145,860 to 135,286. Conservative MP for Dumfries and Galloway John Cooper said the negative trend was a "curse" and a "blight that creeps up and strangles the lifeblood" of communities.

The Just Transition Commission, an advisory body providing advice to Scottish ministers on the challenges of meeting the net zero target by 2050, suggested that a lack of investment in quality transport services was becoming a vicious circle for the area.

"Low demand leads to the closure of services, which in turn risks making the region less attractive for residents and deters potential arrivals," it said in a briefing.

A survey of more than 10,000 young people between 10 and 25 years old conducted in 2023 found that 55.1% were not planning to stay in the area, and only 25.1% were considering returning for work.

Dr Pietka-Nykaza, co-director of the Centre for Migration, Diaspora, Citizenship and Identity (CMDCI), said action should be taken to emphasise the "importance of community relations" and provide schools and housing to encourage population expansion.

"The reasons people want to stay, all of them say it is the community and where they live," she explained.

"The family and community are huge in people's decision-making. So, investment should be around community and family life. If you have good communities, issues over the lack of public services are resolved."

Rural pockets of the UK, in particular, are experiencing depopulation because of their disproportionately elderly populations. A lack of career prospects and strong transport links make it hard to attract young workers and families.

Dumfries and Galloway has the second-oldest population of any region in Scotland, with an average age of 51.51-years-old.

Mr Cooper added: "I would like to make Dumfries and Galloway a go-to destination and not a go-through, and there is lots to attract people. The difficulty is you can't eat the scenery. You can live in an area, but if you don't have a job, it doesn't help you.

"I have always said you will lose people to the bright lights and big cities, that's the nature of things. There is a cascade effect, when you have a drop-off in some of the rural communities in the numbers of people, and that means the school roll falls, the school is under threat and the local shop doesn't have the support.

"And transport is a problem, a real difficulty. Just getting around is very difficult."

Dumfries and Galloway council said the Scottish Government was supporting it in commissioning research into population and demographic changes across the region. The goal is to identify practical action to "support positive population change and long-term stability."

"This work includes listening to local people, communities and businesses to understand their experiences and concerns," a spokesperson said.