| The line-up for this year’s Muckle Toon Adventure Festival (MTAF) has now been confirmed with celebrity speakers and multi-event activities topping the bill.
The annual festival, held in Langholm over the 17 to 19 June, is now in its fourth year.
Back by popular demand, the Festival kicks off on the evening of Friday 17 June with the 1.6m Muckle Hill Climb, an individual cycle challenge not for the faint hearted.
The programme for Saturday includes mountain biking, guided walks and the 10k and half marathon trail runs. Headlining the bill on Saturday evening is Andy Kirkpatrick, the renowned “stand-up climber”. The climber, mountaineer, polar explorer, author and comedian will relay his tales to an audience at the Buccleuch Centre on Saturday 18 June.
Tickets are available for £10 from the box office 013873 81196.
The Sunday schedule sees the return of The Muckle 5k, a relatively flat race suitable for both first timers and those chasing a personal best. The 30, 60 and 90 mile road cycle events remain as popular as ever, and two more guided walks lead ramblers around the beautiful landscape of Langholm.
The weekend also see the launch of the “Summit Challenge Series” – a one, three or five hill walking challenge that rewards those who succeed with stunning views across the local area.
New to 2016 is the addition of “Tent Talks” – a program of speakers, distilling advice and inspiration on everything from a healthy Bike Breakfast to a Cycle Pilates workshop, Physiotherapy advice as well as bike maintenance demo’s, not to mention world record holders Ella Kirkpatrick and Dr Andrew Murray.
Children’s activities are bountiful across the weekend from toddlers’ soft play, face painting, a climbing wall, bike pump track and air bag bike ramp.
Councillor Colin Smyth, Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Events Champion said;
“This Festival is completely rooted in the community, and is led by an energetic, skilled and committed group of local people, who are doing a great deal to build confidence in Langholm’s regeneration. Council investment in the Muckle Town Adventure Festival will help it grow sustainably and reach out to new outdoor sports enthusiasts and family audiences. It is a great festival to visit and participate in, with lots to see and do, which really is promoting personal and community wellbeing in the town and wider area.”
Dawn Lamb, MTAF Chairperson said;
“We are excited to launch the 2016 festival. This year Basecamp is filled with activities for all ages designed to motivate and inspire everyone to take part. We are indebted to our wonderful volunteers to make the event happen each year and provide such a wonderful atmosphere for our competitors. We extend our thanks to local trusts, businesses and especially Dumfries and Galloway Council who have provided funding of £9000. Their vital support is enabling the festival to grow year on year, and become a must-do event on the calendar of the adventurous.”
Dumfries and Galloway is home to rural Scotland’s only Major Festivals and Events Strategy, which has been instrumental to the sustainable growth of superb events such as the Wigtown Book Festival, the Scottish Rally, Spring Fling Open Studios Weekend, the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival and the Big Burns Supper, the Eden and Electric Fields Music Festivals and World Championship Curling and Ice Hockey tournaments.
The Council manages the Strategy on behalf of a range of regional agencies and in 2015 reported that it creates more than £10million of economic value for Dumfries and Galloway each year.
For more information on the Festival or to book a place on one of the events visit www.muckletoonadventurefestival.co.uk
Picture – Adventure Festival chair Dawn Lamb expects the Festival to ride high in forthcoming years. She is pictured here with the Council’s Events champion Colin Smyth (far right) and Eve Johnson, Colin Jardine and Grant Adamson of the Festival and Councillors Craig Peacock and Archie Dryburgh. |
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