Work has officially started on Center Parcs' new £450 million resort in the Scottish Borders, with First Minister John Swinney planting the first trees on the site. The new village, named Center Parcs Scottish Borders, is located between the towns of Hawick and Selkirk and is expected to open in summer 2029. It will be the first new Center Parcs village since Longford Forest in Ireland opened in 2019.
The resort will feature up to 700 lodges and apartments, the iconic Subtropical Swimming Paradise, a Village Centre with shops and restaurants, and the Aqua Sana Forest Spa. For the first time, Center Parcs is creating a forest from scratch, planting hundreds of thousands of trees to transform the landscape. Over the coming months, more than 30 species of trees and plants, including Scots pine, silver birch and aspen, will be planted ahead of the main construction phase.
The site will also include two newly created lochs designed for water sports and recreation, as well as a combined Nature and Heritage Centre with wildflower meadows, nature trails, and wetlands to promote biodiversity. A wide range of outdoor activities will be integrated into the landscape.
First Minister John Swinney, joined by pupils from Trinity Primary School and Stirches Primary School, marked the beginning of afforestation at the site. The schoolchildren planted the first trees and were given a silver birch sapling to take home. Center Parcs CEO Colin McKinlay said: 'This marks another momentous milestone... the benefits Center Parcs Scottish Borders will bring will have a long-lasting and transformative effect on this area.'
The resort is expected to generate jobs for over 1,200 people and contribute £75 million each year to the Scottish Borders economy, including £8.8 million in tourism spend. The Scottish Government has confirmed up to £30 million for essential infrastructure to enable the project. The development was approved by Scottish Borders Council in December.
