25 Year Old Woman Caught With £180k Of Heroin Near Lockerbie

25 YEAR OLD WOMAN CAUGHT WITH £180k OF HEROIN NEAR LOCKERBIE

A 25-year-old woman has been arrested and charged following a drug recovery near Lockerbie.

Around 8.25pm on Friday, 4 April, 2025, officers acting on intelligence stopped a car on the M74 near Lockerbie.

Heroin with an estimated street value of £180,000 was recovered.

The 25-year-old woman was released on an undertaking to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date.

Detective Superintendent Steven Elliott said: “This was a significant drugs recovery that has taken £180,000 worth of drugs out of our communities.

“Drugs cause misery in our communities and we are committed to disrupting their supply.

“This recovery highlights the important work being carried out as part of the Serious Organised Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.

“We encourage anyone with information or concerns about drug-related activity in their area to contact Police Scotland on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Annan Actress Ashley Jensen Starts Filming Series 10 of Shetland

Annan Actress Ashley Jensen Starts Filming Series 10 of Shetland
Image credit BBC

Reprising their roles as DI Ruth Calder and DI Alison ‘Tosh’ MacIntosh, Annan born actress Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell have begun filming the 10th series of acclaimed BBC murder mystery drama Shetland with further casting announced.

Shetland – a Silverprint Pictures (part of ITV Studios) production – will film in locations around Scotland and on the Shetland Isles over the coming months with the series debuting on BBC iPlayer and BBC One later this year.

Joining the cast of Shetland alongside Jensen and O’Donnell for this new six-part series are Clive Russell (The Witcher, Sandman), Ellie Haddington (Motherland, Guilt), Niall MacGregor (The Bombing of Pan AM 103, Line of Duty), Greg McHugh (Guilt, The A Word), Frances Gray (Tom Jones, Vera), Louise Brealey (Such Brave Girls, Clique), Stuart Townsend (Into The Deep, Two Minutes to Midnight), Stephen McMillan (Toxic Town, Boiling Point), Saskia Ashdown (Karen Pirie, The Rig), Lila Rose (Traces), Joanne Thomson (Outlander, The Victim), Gabriel Akuwudike (Screw, The Beautiful Game) and Leigh Biagi (The Prodigal Father, The Lost King).

Samuel Anderson (Amandaland, Back to Black) also joins the cast as the new Procurator Fiscal Matt Blake alongside series regulars Steven Robertson (playing DC Sandy Wilson), Lewis Howden (Sgt Billy McCabe), Anne Kidd (pathologist Cora McLean), Angus Miller (Donnie, Tosh’s partner), Conor McCarry (PC Alex Grant) and Eubha Akilade (PC Lorna Burns).

Originally based on award-winning novels by crime writer Ann Cleeves, the new series sees Calder and Tosh travel to the isolated hamlet of Lunniswick to investigate the sinister killing of an elderly woman.

The team discover that the body of the retired social worker has been out in the elements for a number of days. The case will see Tosh and Calder excavate the victim’s life, past and present, as well as the lives of those who knew her. They soon begin to uncover dark secrets and terrible deeds at the heart of this closeknit community.

Gaynor Holmes, Commissioning Editor for the BBC says: “Now in its tenth series, Shetland continues to go from strength to strength and is loved by audiences across the UK and internationally. We’re very excited to see the fantastic creative team at Silverprint and their superbly talented cast and crew heading back into production with a compellingly new, gnarly and emotional murder-mystery.”

Kate Bartlett, Executive Producer for Silverprint Pictures says: “We’re so excited about this new series of Shetland with Ashley and Alison, alongside our wonderful returning cast and a fantastic guest cast. Paul Logue has created a distinctive and emotionally complex story, set against the stunning and evocative landscape of the Shetland Isles. We’re thrilled to be making this new series with such incredible Scottish talent in all areas of production.”

Shetland is loved by millions of fans on BBC iPlayer and BBC One and, last year, it was in the top ten most watched BBC Drama series. In Scotland, it was the No.1 BBC Drama of 2024.

Paul Logue is the lead writer of the new series of Shetland, alongside Denise Paul and Phil Mulryne. The series is produced by Louise V Say and directed by Ruth Paxton and Ruth Carney. Executive Producers are Gaynor Holmes for the BBC, Kate Bartlett, Paul Logue and Denise Paul for Silverprint Pictures

Shetland is part of a growing list of BBC dramas from Scotland, including The Bombing of Pan Am 103 and returning series Vigil (series 3) and Granite Harbour (series 2), as well as new titles The Ridge, Counsels, Grams and The Young Team. Shetland will be distributed internationally by ITV Studios.

SEPA Warns Of Water Shortage For Dumfries & Galloway As Dry Spell Continues

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is warning that early signs of water scarcity are emerging across Scotland, with businesses urged to take action now to manage their water use and ensure their operations have climate resilience built in.

The latest Water Situation Update published online covers March, showing the month brought below-average rainfall across most of the country. Some areas in the south saw less than a third of what they’d usually expect. This continues the trend that was highlighted in SEPA’s Winter water situation report 2025.

The impact is already being seen. River flows are running low to extremely low for this time of year, and groundwater levels from SEPA’s monitoring points are dipping further due to a lack of winter recharge.

Groundwater levels are lower than levels recorded in early April 2022. That year later saw a summer drought with restrictions put on abstractions from rivers in some areas. The only area of the country with groundwater levels above normal for the time of year is Moray, reflecting the higher-than-average rainfall in this area over the winter period.

A changing climate: the need for resilience and adaptation

Despite Scotland’s reputation as a wet country, climate trends are shifting. Extended dry periods are becoming more common, increasing the risk of water scarcity. SEPA’s three-year Corporate Plan highlights climate resilience as a strategic priority for the agency, helping businesses and communities adapt to the impacts of climate change and build in resilience to extreme weather events.

Notably, 2024 was the first year in some time that Scotland did not experience any significant water scarcity, thanks to more favourable rainfall patterns. The return of early warnings so early in 2025 highlights the increasing unpredictability of Scotland’s climate and the need for long-term adaptation.

Kenny Boag, SEPA’s Head of Environmental Performance (National), said:

“Water scarcity is becoming a growing challenge in Scotland, and the data from March shows there is an increased risk that water scarcity could occur early in the season this year.

“As part of our commitment to helping Scotland become more climate resilient, we’ll continue to monitor the situation closely. Following on from this water situation update, our weekly water scarcity reporting will begin in May, unless the situation deteriorates sooner. This will provide regular updates on conditions to ensure businesses can prepare for any potential challenges ahead.

“We’ll continue to work closely with Scottish Government, businesses and key stakeholders – including the agricultural sector, industry and Scottish Water – over the coming months to monitor water levels, manage resources sustainably, support adaptation measures and ensure the correct balance is struck between protecting the environment and providing resources for human and economic activity.”

It is important to note that while SEPA plays a key role in monitoring the environment and managing abstractions from Scotland’s natural water resources for agriculture and other industrial uses, Scottish Water is responsible for the public water supply.

The latest Water Situation Update is available at sepa.org.uk/water-scarcity where abstractors can also find guidance on water efficiency and adaptation strategies.

Great Crowd At Leonard Brown Show At Locharbriggs Community Centre

Locharbriggs Community Centre was the venue for the Dumfries and Galloway stop on the Scotland and Northern England tour of Accordionist Leonard Brown and Fiddle Player Maggie Adamson on Thursday 3rd April.

Having visited, Shetland, Nairn, Dundee, Crawfordjohn, Milnathort, Kelso, Seghill, Keith, Coupar Angus, Mauchline, Fife and Dunblane previously, Locharbriggs was stop number thirteen for the popular duo.

The concert showed the prowess of both as musicians at the top of their field, Leonard’s arranging, playing  and composing talents, and Maggie’s  brilliant fiddle playing producing a great blend between both musicians.

The large crowd were enthralled by the exceptional music from both Leonard and Maggie.
The first half was music of all genres played with much style and presence as an  accordion and fiddle duo. Later in the second half performance,

History Of Scotland’s Gardens Explored In New Exhibition

Lincluden Collegiate Church, Dumfries

‘Seeds of Time: Scottish Gardens 1600 to present day’ is a brand-new exhibition opening tomorrow (Saturday 5 April 2025) at Stanley Mills in Perthshire.

Using material from Historic Environment Scotland’s archives, the exhibition explores the history of gardens in Scotland, delving into what they can tell us about the people who grew them and the world they lived in.

Gardens and green spaces are an important part of life for people in Scotland, providing places in which to relax and reconnect with nature, as well as serving more practical purposes such as spaces to grow food in. Gardens can also offer a window into the past, revealing stories of the people who used and shaped them.

Claire Whitbread, Exhibitions Manager at Historic Environment Scotland, said:

“When thinking about our built heritage, castles, buildings and monuments may first come to mind, but our gardens are also a part of that history and provide a sort of living time capsule. These green spaces can show us so much about our past, from the grand designs of the aristocracy and the role of empire in revolutionising plant diversity at home, to the vital role city allotments have played in feeding the nation.
“We’re thrilled to welcome visitors to explore this exhibition which aims to show what we can learn from the gardens of our past and what we can take from those that continue to grow around us into the future.”
‘Seeds of Time: Scottish Gardens 1600 to present day’ is on at Stanley Mills from Saturday 5 April 2025 to Sunday 29 June 2025. Entry to the exhibition is included with admission to the site. Tickets can be booked in advance. Entry is free for Historic Scotland members.

For more information and to book tickets, visit historicenvironment.scot/whats-on.

The exhibition is only accessible via a staircase.

Dumfries & Galloway Businesses Welcome UK Government To Region

Dumfries & Galloway businesses welcome UK Government to region

Two innovative and family-run Dumfries & Galloway businesses have welcomed the UK Government to the region.

Kirsty McNeill MP – Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland – visited The Carbon Removers at Crocketford and Dumfries-based Clark Engineering on Thursday 3 April to find out more how both pioneering organisations are leading the way in their industries.
Both companies have been supported by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), who helped to coordinate the visit by Ms McNeill.

The Carbon Removers is leading the transitioning from utilising captured CO2 to focusing on its permanent removal.

Run by brothers Ed and Richard Nimmons, the company aims to store captured CO2 in building aggregates and geological storage, creating a scalable, permanent solution for reducing atmospheric carbon.

This means The Carbon Removers has become a key player in Scotland’s push to lead in carbon removal innovation, as well as supporting other organisations that have made Net Zero commitments.

SOSE has supported The Carbon Removers to set up its dry ice production facility at Crocketford.

Clark Engineering, together with its sister company Powerhand, is at the forefront of engineering design and innovation in the forestry, recycling, rail and sawmill industries in the UK and overseas.

The company is one of the UK’s leading suppliers and manufacturers of forestry equipment and an innovative leader in the design and manufacture of materials handling equipment.
Having celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, Clark Engineering is still under the ownership of the Clark family, operating from a Dumfries factory on a five-acre site with over 40 employees.

With support from South of Scotland Enterprise, the company has purchased capital equipment to move the business forward technically, allowing them to employ and train more skilled engineers and increase their manufacturing capacity.

In addition, the inclusion of modern energy efficient equipment powered by solar energy has given Clark Engineering the capability to be an innovative test bed for new technologies that will support their journey to Net Zero.

Exports currently make up 40% of its total sales but is increasing through its new products, with Clark Engineering aiming to export 80% of all its manufactured equipment within the next five years.

UK Government Minister for Scotland Kirsty McNeill said:
“I would like to thank South of Scotland Enterprise, The Carbon Removers and Clark Engineering for the great work underway in the South of Scotland to create jobs, boost the economy and help in the drive to Net Zero.
“It was fascinating to see and hear how they are at the forefront of their respective fields.
“I look forward to seeing their ongoing progress and working with them and organisations across the region as the UK Government secures Britain’s future through the Plan for Change to turbo-charge economic growth and provide a decade of national renewal and opportunity for all.
“This includes investing £1.4billion into important local projects across Scotland over the next ten years, including in Dumfries & Galloway.”
Russel Griggs OBE, Chair of SOSE, added:
“As SOSE marks its fifth anniversary, we were very pleased to welcome the UK Government to highlight two of the innovative businesses who are helping to put the South on the map.
“We have so many organisations like The Carbon Removers and Clark Engineering, who are vital to helping drive forward innovation and also helping attract responsible investment to benefit our region, and the rest of Scotland.”
Richard Nimmons, CEO of The Carbon Removers, said:
“We are honoured to welcome Ms McNeill to The Carbon Removers.
“By focusing on permanent carbon removal through mineralisation and geological storage, we are not just addressing today’s climate challenges but creating a sustainable pathway for the future.
“Our work aims to ensure CO2 is permanently removed from the atmosphere, supporting industries and governments in their shared goal of a Net Zero world.”
Douglas Clark, Chair and Director of Clark Engineering, added:
“We were delighted to welcome Ms McNeill to our company.
“The visit allowed us the opportunity to demonstrate our latest investments in advanced manufacturing equipment purchased with the assistance of SOSE, as we continue to build our world class manufacturing facility.”

 

Dumfries Devorgilla Rotary Support Local Charities with £500 Cheques

Dumfries Devorgilla Rotary Support Local Charities with £500 Cheques

Dumfries Devorgilla Rotary celebrated last month by supporting six local Charities with donations of £500 to each of the charity organisations.

These were selected by the Club for the excellent work they provide in our local community and presentations were made during a group meeting at the Holiday Inn in Dumfries.

The representatives and Charities comprised Roland Proudlock from Prostate Buddies D&G for their support work helping men in our region diagnosed with prostate disease or cancer.

Nick Mitchell, Manager of D&G Health Board Endowment Fund, representing The Alexandra Unit providing palliative care at DGRI.

Vicki Weir, a Trustee also at D&G Health Board Endowment Fund and representing the Cancer Information and Support Centre, both of which support the excellent staff and services providing cancer care at DGRI.

Dave Hook from Dumfries and Galloway Blood Bikes, a founding member for the charity transporting urgent blood and samples within the region.

Kirsty McCracken from The Food Train, a charity started in D&G  supporting older people to eat well and live well at home.

Anne Marie Coulter MBE representing the Summerhill Community Centre, which has a long standing relationship with Devorgilla Rotary and is committed to improving life conditions and relief of poverty to all ages in Summerhill and the wider community.

 

Devorgilla is an informal Club of like-minded volunteers that organises a variety of fundraising events. This has included a charity golf Am Am in conjunction with Dalbeattie Rotary Club, with just over £22,500 raised for MacMillan Cancer Support and My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and in November last year a Charity Pop-Up Shop in the Loreburne centre, which due to the generosity of the local community raised a fantastic £6,000. These fundraising efforts has enabled the Club to support and give back to organisations making a difference in our communities and the Club were privileged to be able to show their support for these organisations.

 

Presentations to the Charities were made by Club President Bob Carruthers and Treasurer Joe Reid.

 

 

FLS Safety Warning Against Amateur Windblow Clearance

FLS safety warning against amateur windblow clearance

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has urged members of the public attempting to cut up windblown trees in south Scotland to stay at home and leave the job to qualified professionals.

FLS warns that not only is such activity illegal and contrary to forestry regulations, it is also highly dangerous and at serious odds with health and safety.

The warning follows unauthorised attempts by individuals to clear mountain biking trails by cutting storm damaged trees regardless of the risks to themselves, FLS staff and to the public.

Martin Page, FLS’ Regional Visitor Services Manager, said;

“Chainsaw work, even with highly skilled and experienced people it still one of the highest risk occupations in the UK, and clearing windblown trees is the most dangerous aspect of that work. For that reason, we aim to do as much windblow work as possible using mechanised harvesting machines, rather than chainsaws, to reduce risk to life.
“We appreciate that people are frustrated that many trails and forests remain closed but people taking it upon themselves to go to the forest with a chainsaw are not helping. Not only are they acting illegally because they do not have authorisation but they are also putting themselves and others at risk.
“Any unauthorised person found to be using hand tools, or power tools such as petrol or battery driven chainsaws, will be reported to Police Scotland.
“Should anyone encounter trails blocked by windblow, they should report it to us at enquiries.south@forestryandland.gov.scot, and retrace their steps until they find a safe route around.”

Dealing with windblow is time-consuming and dangerous. Felled trees, hanging trees and even trees that are still standing can all be unstable after a major storm. Trees can roll, pivot, slide or fall at the slightest disturbance. Unstable trees, parts of trees, root plates and stones can suddenly topple, tip over, fall or roll away without any visible reason even days, weeks or months after a storm.

There can be huge tension and forces both in individual trees as well as in jammed stems and root plates that need to be assessed by trained professionals before any clearance work can begin.

Staff and contractors working to clear storm damage run the risk of being crushed by a toppling, turning or rolling root plate, being struck by a stem kicking sideways, being caught by a splitting stem or getting trapped and crushed between stems.

Martin added;

“Anyone engaged in this activity is risking their own health and safety as well as that of our staff, who have to make safe the amateur efforts, and of those forest visitors who, arriving later, might think that the trail has been professionally cleared and is safe.
“Because we are having to remedy these amateur efforts, we’re having to divert resources from the professional clearance of areas that are still impacted by storm damage.
“We are liaising with Police Scotland to help us address this issue and would urge that everyone lets the professionals do this complex and dangerous work SAFELY for everyone’s benefit.”

Additional quotes:

Erik, Chair of the Tweed Valley Trail Association, said;

“Following recent storm damage, several instances of unauthorised clearing using chainsaws have been reported.
“TVTA would like to use this opportunity to raise awareness within the MtB community – that such  activities require approval from the landowners (FLS).
“Whilst we appreciate the eagerness in reopening trails, we must remind everyone that trail sustainability can only be achieved through following the correct processes. These types of activities (clearing windblown timber) must be completed under a robust risk assessment with the suitable risk controls, personal protective equipment and landowner approvals being in place.
“We would encourage all users of the Tweed Valley trails network to report any unsafe findings – fallen trees, trail damage etc. through the Trailforks or directly to FLS themselves at Forestry enquiries.south@forestryandland.gov.scot. From these reports, TVTA in conjunction with FLS can commence, safely reopening trails.”

More Than 22,000 People Log Litter Picking Activity For #SpringCleanScotland

More than 22,000 people log litter picking activity for #SpringCleanScotland

Half-way through four-week campaign, 800+ clean-up events have taken place across Scotland

A whopping 22,000+ people have already logged litter picking activity as part of environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful’s annual Spring Clean Scotland challenge.

The biggest volunteer litter picking campaign in Scotland kicked off on 21 March and with two weeks of the campaign still to go the charity is hoping to smash volunteer target numbers – proving just how many people care about their communities and want to make a positive difference to the places they live, work and visit.

Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Litter is a blight on our streets and communities and harms our countryside and marine environment.

“I want to thank everyone who has given up their time to take part in this year’s Spring Clean so far.
“Scotland is a beautiful country and we all have a responsibility to keep it that way. Everyone who takes part is helping to make a real difference to their local areas and protecting our natural environment and wildlife.”
Barry Fisher, Chief Executive at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “We’ve declared a litter emergency in Scotland, and with 81% of people agreeing they want to see increased action to clean up litter in their communities, #SpringCleanScotland 2025 is the perfect chance for people to get involved and take action to reverse the deterioration in environmental quality in Scotland’s neighbourhoods.
“Every Spring we are so impressed with the sheer number of people who are getting involved with a litter pick – showing that cleaning up can be the norm and giving us hope that we can make littering unacceptable if we all take action.
“Every effort, however big or small, helps, and every single piece of litter picked up is another step towards reversing the litter emergency.”

We are supporting the delivery of actions outlined in the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy for Scotland. One of these has been the creation and development of an online Community Litter Hub, providing a dedicated place for communities and businesses to access information, advice and support to empower people to tackle the litter emergency. You can access it at Community Litter Hub

If you want to play your part, why not organise a litter pick with friends, family, workmates or your wider community? Or find one to join in and find out what is happening near you at Spring Clean 2025 | Keep Scotland Beautiful.

Lovely Bubbly, Cairndale Hotel Is Scotland’s Only 5 Bubble Luxury Spa!

Lovely Bubbly, Cairndale Hotel Is Scotland’s Only 5 Bubble Luxury Spa!
The team at The Cairndale Hotel & Spa in Dumfries are beyond delighted to share that The Cairndale Spa has officially been awarded ‘5 Bubble Luxury’ status — the highest possible accolade in UK spa accreditation!
This honour follows a recent in-person inspection by the ‘Spa Spies’ from the Good Spa Guide, the UK’s leading authority for spa excellence, who rigorously review spas based on cleanliness, customer care, facilities, and overall experience
A spokesperson for the Hotel and Spa Stated “We are deeply proud to be the ONLY spa in Scotland to currently hold this elite luxury status, joining an exclusive group of just 25 spas across the entire UK to have achieved it.
This recognition means the world to us. It reflects the hard work, passion, and vision that’s gone into making our spa a truly exceptional place — right here in the heart of Dumfries.
We’ve always believed in creating something special, and this award shows that we’re doing just that
Today, we’re taking a moment to celebrate this milestone with our amazing team and we want to thank every single guest, supporter, and local business who has helped us get here. From day one, your support has fuelled us. And we’re only just getting started.
✨ Dumfries, we’re officially on the spa map… And it’s a luxury one!”✨
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