News and Events in Dumfries and Galloway 2011

Check back here regularly for news and events in the local region.

News

Galloway Forest Park has been officially unveiled as the first Dark Sky Park in the UK.

The award, announced by the International Dark Sky Association, confirmed Galloway as one of the best places for stargazing in the world.

Lighting experts were brought in to ensure the skies above the forest park were pitch black at night.

The organisers of Galloway's bid said they hoped the award would boost tourism in south west Scotland.

The final decision on the award was taken at the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) AGM in Phoenix, Arizona, over the weekend.

In praise of real darkness

Part of the selection process involved giving a rating via a sky quality meter, which measures the darkness of the sky overhead.

The higher the sky quality meter reading the better the conditions for viewing stars, with the darkest reading, such as would be recorded in a photographer's dark room, rated 24.

In major cities such as Glasgow or Edinburgh, a likely reading would be about 15 or 16 on the scale. Galloway Forest Park was rated 23 on the scale, giving it a gold tier Dark Sky Park award status - the highest achievable.

Events

 

WWII Poster encouraging girls to 'give a hand on the land'
Land Girls and Lumber Jills - National Museum of Costume, Shambellie House, New Abbey, Dumfries
Date: 1st April - 30th October 2011 | Telephone: 01387 850375

Transferring from the National war Museum, Edinburgh Castle, this exhibition tells the story of the Women's land Army and Women's Timber Corps in Scotland throug the real life experiences of the women who helped keep the country on its feet.

Web Site: www.nms.ac.uk/costume		  

 

 

Tawny owls
Dumfries & Galloway Wildlife Festival - Locations throughout Dumfries & Galloway
Date: 2nd - 25th April 2011 |

A programme of events over 3 weeks, with lots of opportunities to visit some of the region's special wildlife. So if you have never seen a Red Squirrel, Red Kite or Badger - now is your chance. Experienced wildlife watchers and beginners should both find something of interest in the festival, and look out for a range of events for the whole family.

Web Site: www.wildlifefestival.org.uk		  

 

 

kirkcudbright pipe band
Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities - Kirkcudbright
Date: 1st May - 29th August 2011 | Telephone: 01557 331848

A feast of traditional performances and energetic entertainment! Enjoy a range of great events throughout summer, including Scottish Nights, Children's Festival, Medieval Fayre, parade day, vintage car rally, culminating in the Tattoo in the shadow of the castle.

Web Site: www.summerfestivities.com		  

 

 

Walkers resting at Bruce's Stone
Newton Stewart WalkFest - Newton Stewart
Date: 6th - 12th May 2011 | Telephone: 01671 404500

The biggest walking festival in the South of Scotland - 26 walks over 7 days, with challenges for all abilities and a full programme of social events.

Web Site: www.newtonstewartwalkfest.co.uk		  

 

 

Arts Festival programme
Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival - Throughout Dumfries & Galloway
Date: 20th - 29th May 2011 | Telephone: 01387 260447

Exciting multi-genre festival bringing high quality events and performers to the region. Includes film and visual arts.

Web Site: www.dgartsfestival.org.uk		  

 

 

Gold panning at Wanlockhead
British & Scottish Gold Panning Championships - Museum of Lead Mining, Wanlockhead
Date: 28th -29th May 2011 | Telephone: 01659 74387

Once again the British and Scottish Gold Panning Championships are being held at the museum. Come along and see the experts at work, or why not have a go yourself.

Web Site: www.leadminingmuseum.co.uk		  

 

 

Fire performer
World Ceilidh - Knockengorroch Farm, Carsphairn, Castle Douglas
Date: 26th - 29th May 2011 | Telephone: 01644 460662

A world of music and dance in the Galloway hills, featuring top World and Traditional Music including revival ska from The Beat, and dance music from festival veteran Eat Static. Workshops, cabaret, open mic, children's marquee, fire shows, headset disco and other festival entertainment ensure this is a festival for all ages.

Web Site: www.knockengorroch.org.uk		  

 

 

Spring Fling brochure 2010
Spring Fling - Venues across Dumfries & Galloway
Date: 28th - 30th May 2011 | Telephone: 01387 262084 for your FREE colour brochure.

An annual art and craft open studio event. Around 80 artists and makers across Dumfries & Galloway open the doors of their workshops and studios to the public. Experience the diversity of talent and creativity flourishing in the region, seeing painters, sculptors, furniture makers, jewellery makers, photographers, basket weavers, ceramicists, glass and textile artists in their working environment.

Web Site: www.spring-fling.co.uk		  

 

 

Langholm Walking Festival
Langholm Walking Festival - Langholm area
Date: 3rd - 5th June 2011 | Start Time: Various throughout the weekend | Telephone: 013873 80715

Selection of guided walks of varying lengths from 6-12 miles taking in the beautiful hills and valleys of Eskdale. Entertainment on Saturday evening.

Web Site: www.langholmwalks.co.uk		  

 

 

Kirkcudbright Jazz Festival, brolly parade
Kirkcudbright Jazz Festival - Venues throughout Kirkcudbright
Date: 16th - 19th June 2011 | Telephone: 01557 330467 (Leon McCaig)

Kirkcudbright Artists' Town's annual Jazz Festival offers a full and varied programme. A celebration of classic New Orleans, Dixieland and Swing Jazz in this picturesque harbour town. Dine to jazz in local restaurants. A Brolly Parade and Jazz Church Service add to the festivities.

Web Site: www.kirkcudbrightjazzfestival.co.uk		  

 

 

RSAC Scottish Rally
RSAC Scottish Rally - Dumfries & Galloway
Date: 25th June 2011 | Telephone: 0141 946 5045

Motor sport event with competitors from all over Britain and further afield. Competitive special stages in forests of Dumfries & Galloway. Start and finish in Dumfries.

Web Site: www.scottishrally.co.uk		  

 

 

Moffat car rally
Moffat Classic Car Rally - Moffat
Date: 25th - 26th June 2011 | Telephone: 01387 710318

Annual classic car rally. All makes of classic cars, motorcycles and Rootes Commercials. The rally starts with a road run on Saturday. Entertainment, auto jumble, children's attractions, pipe bands etc. at the showground on Sunday, ending with a ceilidh in the marquee.

Web Site: www.sre-scot.co.uk		  

 

Detail from EA Hornel's painting 'Coming of Spring'
The Glasgow Boys at Kirkcudbright - Town Hall, St Mary Street, Kirkcudbright
Date: 2nd July to 29th August 2011 | Start Time: Daily from 10 am to 6pm. | Price: Free Entry | Telephone: 01557 331643 (Stewartry Museum)

Major Art Exhibition on the 'Glasgow Boys' in collaboration with Kelvingrove Art Gallery and the Roger Billcliffe Gallery, Glasgow.

Web Site: www.artiststown.org.uk		  

 

 

The festival finale, burning of a giant wickerman
The Wickerman Festival - East Kirkcarswell Farm, Dundrennan, near Kirkcudbright
Date: 22nd - 23rd July 2011 | Start Time: Campsite opens 21st July at noon. | Telephone: 01854 613746

A fun filled, family friendly weekend of entertainment whatever your musical tastes. This two day music and culture event situated in deepest Galloway takes its inspiration from the 70's cult movie, filmed in Dumfries & Galloway.

Web Site: www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk		  


 

King Street, Castle Douglas
Castle Douglas Civic Week - Castle Douglas
Date: 24th - 30th July 2011 | Telephone: 01556 504872

 A week long festival with fun events for all the family including the Douglas Day Parade through the town on Saturday.

Web Site: www.castle-douglas.com