Explore Torthorwald’s Heritage Through Cruck Cottage’s New Digital Guide

Cruck Cottage in Torthorwald is proud to be the first organisation in the Dumfries area to launch a digital guide with Bloomberg Connect. The app, which is free to download and use, was developed by Bloomberg Philanthropies to make heritage and culture more accessible—not just to those visiting in person but to people around the world.

The Cruck Cottage guide offers extensive information and photographs exploring the history of the building and Torthorwald village, along with exclusive video and audio content that brings it all to life. The guide is also the go-to source for up-to-date details about special exhibitions and event programmes.

The app is designed to eliminate barriers to art and culture with various built-in accessibility features, including voiceover, captions, audio transcripts, image zoom, and font size adjustment. Cruck Cottage often receives enquiries from Australia and America, and this new tool provides a window into this unique Dumfriesshire building for global audiences.

While the organisation encourages visitors to experience the cottage in person — with a programme of open events starting on 26 April — the digital guide offers an additional way to explore the history and events of Cruck Cottage from anywhere. The app can be downloaded here: Bloomberg Connects.

Petition To Save Langholm’s Wild Goats Gains Almost 4000 Signatures

Petition to save Langholms Wildgoats Gains almost 4000 signatures

A local petition calling for Oxygen Conservation to stop their cull of the ancient herd of wild goats on their estate in the Scottish Borders closed with almost 4000 signatures.

On Thursday 10th April, copies of that petition are being handed to local politicians in the middle square at Newcastleton, or alternatively posted to their offices.

Rt Hon John Lamont MP, will be attending at 11.15am.

Racheal Hamilton MSP, will be attending at 2pm.

Oliver Mundell MSP, has asked for a copy to be sent to his office and has promised to personally take the issue to the relevant ministers in the Scottish government.

Rt Hon David Mundell MP and Emma Harper MSP have also had invitations to attend or have the document sent to their offices.

The copies of the petition to end the shooting of wild goats and the call for a seven point plan to properly conserve the historic wild goat herd as part of the natural upland ecology in the hills and moors around Langholm and Newcastleton, will be handed to the politicians by The Wild Goat Conservation Group.

Gail Brown, Secretary and Vice-Chair of the newly formed Group and who set up the petition, said “The response was overwhelming, local people felt dismayed and outraged at the shooting of the charismatic wild goats that have roamed our hills for centuries. Evidently, Oxygen Conservation had total disregard for the fact that they were shooting our wild goats right in the middle of their breeding season and this only added fuel to the fire.”

David Braithwaite, a local sheep farmer and Chairman of the Group, commented that “This ancient herd of wild goats has been naturalised to these hills for at least several centuries. They are an integral part of the ecology of the hills and moors to which they are hefted. They are the very spirit of our uplands.”
Whilst we may agree that in the longer term the herd may require management, currently there is insufficient knowledge to base any culling activity.”
THE WILD GOAT CONSERVATION GROUP feel the weight of the obligation to ensure that so many local voices are heard and heeded and are extremely pleased that our local politicians are taking this matter very seriously. In the end, we believe that the Scottish government will have to fix the delicate tenure of this ancient herd by granting our wild goats legal protection.”

As wild animals the goats are not owned by anyone, but the recent events have shown that they must surely belong to the people of Scotland who hold them in such great esteem.”

Dumfries Christian Network Announce Holy Week Services & Events

Dumfries Christian Network Announce Holy Week services and events
Mark Smith, Convenor of Dumfries Christian Network says:
“The Easter period is a very special time for all Christians, as we remember the incredible sacrifice Jesus – the Son of God – made for our forgiveness and salvation. The week leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday is called ‘Holy Week’ and in Dumfries, as in towns, cities and villages across the country, we share services each evening.
“There’s a sense of rich diversity across different Christian traditions but we’re united in the desire to worship God and thank Him for all He’s done for us. It’s great to see how others do it in their Churches, and to join them in a variety of worship styles.
“As well as the evening services, Good Friday is marked by a ‘Walk of Witness’ where lots of people follow a cross from Troqueer Church to the town centre, stopping at points along the way to sing songs/hymns, share readings and pray. Easter Day is marked by a 30 minutes outdoor, ‘Sunrise Service’, at the Millgreen, at 8am, marking with excitement and celebration, Jesus’ glorious resurrection.
“Everyone’s welcome to come along to any of the services and events, even if just to find out what Christians do, and why Easter means a lot more than chocolate eggs and bunnies!
All local Churches then celebrate Easter Day in their own services around the town and region.

Dumfries Christian Network Holy Week services and events 2025:

Mon 14th 7.00pm St Andrews RC Church

Tues 15th 7.30pm St Michael’s & South Church

Wed 16th 7.30pm River of Life Church at St Mary’s

Thurs 17th 7.30pm Dumfries Baptist Church

Good Friday 10am Walk of Witness; Troqueer to Midsteeple

Good Friday 3pm Maxwelltown West Church

Good Friday 7.30pm Salvation Army at St Mary’s

Easter Morning 8am Sunrise Service on the Mill Green

. More details of member Churches on https://dumfrieschurches.org.uk/churches-in-the-dumfries-area/

NFU Scotland Urges Chancellor To Address Fiscal Policies Impacting Agriculture  

NFU SCOTLAND URGES CHANCELLOR TO ADDRESS FISCAL POLICIES IMPACTING AGRICULTURE

NFU Scotland has warned that UK Government tax decisions are putting the future of Scottish farming and food production at risk.

In a formal letter to Chancellor, Rachel Reeves MP, NFU Scotland President Andrew Connon has expressed deep concerns about the fiscal measures announced on 30 October, which are already having a damaging impact on food security, agricultural investment, and the viability of rural businesses across Scotland and the wider UK.

The Union has already set out these concerns to the UK Government but due to the urgency of the situation is now calling for urgent talks with the Chancellor’s team to discuss practical changes that would reduce the negative impact on primary food producers – while still enabling the Government to meet its objectives around public services and economic growth. With growing global uncertainty and rising inflation, NFU Scotland believes swift action is vital to protect the future of UK food production and rural communities. The UK Government aims to improve public finances, and NFU Scotland understands that tax rises are necessary for rebuilding public services and stabilising finances. However, without changes, the following issues are inevitable:

  • Decrease in UK food production, leading to inflationary pressures for consumers and affecting numerous businesses connected to farming.
  • Stalled and declining agricultural economic investment, causing long-term contraction of the rural economy and the decline of rural communities.

While economic growth is a key aim of the UK Government, current policies related to employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs), double-cab pick-up tax, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and Inheritance Tax (IHT) changes are reducing economic activity and causing a lasting decline in agricultural production.

Independent research by CBI-Economics involving over 4,000 businesses and farms across the UK reveals alarming trends:

  • 49% of farms have paused or cancelled investments.
  • 34% have deferred or reduced investment.
  • 14% plan to sell off assets or parts of the farm.
  • 10% have downsized farming operations since the Budget.
  • 21% plan to downsize before April 2026.

These policies exacerbate the challenging conditions facing farmers, posing serious concerns for the future of farm businesses and the wider rural economy.

To secure food production, food security, and farm business viability, NFU Scotland calls on the UK Government to:

  1. Delay the increase to National Insurance Contributions (NICs) paid by employers for agricultural businesses: This change will add significant costs throughout the supply chain, raising serious questions about British food security and impacting food supply and prices.
  2. Delay implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): Engage with the sector to discuss its impact on farm businesses, as the CBAM will increase fertiliser costs, putting further pressure on farm viability.
  3. Exempt double-cab pick-up vehicles used by agricultural businesses from increased tax: Treating these vehicles as cars for tax purposes from April 2025 imposes additional costs on farming operations where pickups are essential.
  4. Consider an alternative proposal to changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) for family farm businesses: NFU Scotland urges the UK Treasury to adopt a taxation approach that supports family farm businesses, food security, and rural communities without compromising necessary tax revenue.

NFU Scotland remains committed to working with the UK Government to ensure the sustainability and growth of the agricultural sector.

“Farmers across Scotland are already pulling back investment, cutting jobs, and in some cases, being forced to walk away from their businesses,” said NFU Scotland President Andrew Connon. “We understand the pressure on public finances, but if the Government wants economic growth, it must start with food security and the rural economy.”

Channel 4 Are Looking For Outrageous Homes In Dumfries & Galloway

Channel 4 are looking for Outrageous Homes in Dumfries and Galloway

Channel 4 property show ‘Outrageous Homes with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen’ produced by IWC Media are on the lookout for people from Dumfries and Galloway for their second upcoming series filming over May and June 2025.

Excited to be bringing the series back, Laurence said:

“Twenty-eight years ago when I filmed the first episode of Changing Rooms, I suspected that this nation wasn’t actually the aesthetic blandscape it appeared to be and now, with Outrageous Homes Season Deux (The Glampire Strikes Back) I’ll be up to the armpits in weird. Homeowners who dare to be different are the beating heart of this celebratory telly feast and I can’t wait to spend time with yet more carbon-based lifeforms who will never be afraid of living life THEIR way.”

From the unusual and unconventional to the eccentric and eclectic, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen visits some of the UK’s most outrageous homes and celebrates their proud-to-be-different owners and designers.

This Spring he will be travelling the length of the country in search of fabulous, awe-inspiring and at times, jaw-dropping homes to discover what motivated the homeowners to dare to be different, plus hearing about the blood, sweat and tears that brought the home to life.

The series delivers four one-hour episodes where Laurence visits homes that have a different approach to a room that’s both bold and brilliantly bonkers with a truly unique story behind each one.

In series one of Outrageous Homes, he explored properties that had a pirate party pad, a pink shrine and even a vampire fantasy lair.

The new series will be a joyous celebration of the unique, the wonderful and the truly outrageous.

IWC Media are looking for people who would love to celebrate their home and showcase them to Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and the Great British public this spring/summer.

People can apply below on the link:

https://shortaudition.com/Outrageous-Homes

 

Please note:  The homes must be a primary residence.

Due to the volume of applications, the team cannot respond to everyone.

 

D&G Arts Festival Reveals It’s 46th Programme Of Events

D&G ARTS FESTIVAL REVEALS IT'S 46th PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
Credit Arron Macnamara

Scotland’s largest rural performing arts festival returns for its 46th edition throughout Dumfries & Galloway 15th May – 1st June 2025.

The Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival returns with a world class programme combining theatre, music, dance, and spoken word. The Festival will bring artists and audiences alike together again, in and around venues across the region.

A two-weeks celebration of local and national artists that sits at the heart of Dumfries and Galloway’s arts scene, the Festival once again boasts a packed programme of incredible work that reaches every corner of this vibrant region.

 

This year’s programme encompasses the best of Scotland’s performing arts scene with a focus on bringing audiences and artists together, to share in their love for the performing arts, and connect with their communities. The festival will shine a light on the best that the region has to offer, through a meticulously curated programme of local and national talent, located in picturesque landscapes across Dumfries and Galloway.

 

The 46th Festival will open with a collaboration project between the Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival and DG Unlimited– to bring Conference 25 to the Easterbrook Hall on the 15th of May. A day filled with engaging, entertaining and interactive events celebrating the best of performing and visual arts and crafts in the region. This event will be of particular interest to creative practitioners of all arts disciplines, a chance to meet, to network and celebrate Dumfries and Galloway’s vibrant cultural community.

 

Another exciting collaboration part of this years Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival is between its youth organisation Up Yer Airts, and Closeburn Rocks. On Saturday 17th May Tom McGuire and the Brassholes will blow the roof off The Venue, Dumfries, with their funk-soul anthems, bringing you a one-off night to remember. With support from Skylines, 8 Days and The High Priestess, all proceeds from this event will go directly to Closeburn Primary School.

 

Ewan Traill, Principal Teacher at Closeburn Primary and Closeburn ELC Nursery, is thrilled about this collaboration.

 

“I am absolutely buzzing with excitement as we look ahead to our fantastic fundraising event! This is a wonderful chance for our whole community to come together and make a real difference — and every single ticket sold will play a vital part in supporting our children. With your help, we’re aiming to transform both our indoor and outdoor learning spaces, creating environments that inspire curiosity, creativity, and joy every single day. The funds raised will also go towards unlocking exciting trips, hands-on workshops, and enhance our arts and sports resources — enriching the experiences of every pupil and nursery child.”

 

This years’ festival programme includes a host of new names alongside some familiar favourites.

In theatre, Dumfries and Galloway based company Deliverance Theatre makes their regional debut with Goodbye Postie on the 26th of May at CatStrand, New Galloway. Set in Dumfries’ Town Centre, Goodbye Postie explores why some people leave their hometown and why others don’t, exploring themes of friendship and loss. One of the most exciting emerging playwrights of this generation, Tom Foreman, presents Boiler Room Six in a host of venues regionwide. This Edinburgh Fringe sell-out show reveals the impossible but true story of stoker Frederick Barrett, who survived the tragedy of the Titanic’s maiden voyage. Performing five shows across the region in Moffat, Dumfries and Stranraer, Glasgow Oran Mor’s famous A Play, A Pie and a Pint brings another of its delicious lunchtime theatre offers with Goodbye Dreamand Bowlarama, a fish-out-of-water comedy with original songs. Region favourite James Rowland returns with another story full of laughter, music and joy, travelling to Moffat, Wigtown and Port Logan. An interactive performance comes to the CatStrand on the 30th May and Quarymens Arts Centre on the 31s May, as KT Producing presents LIFE. Set in a life drawing class, audiences are gently invited to draw or doodle throughout the performance. As part of this touring production, LIFE is accompanied with a Drawing LIFE Workshop prior to the performances.

An outdoor extravaganza returns to Castle Douglas on the 24th May, and Sanquhar on the 25th May, as Cirqulation, Scotland’s top circus cabaret presents Roots, a family friendly interactive showcase blending aerial displays, acrobatics and object manipulation. Cirqulation is accompanied by Performance Collective Stranraer’s Bippity. Featuring elements of physical theatre, clowning and dance, eccentric magical creatures conjure up a bit of playful magic in between performances. This is a free event suitable for all ages.

Also, for younger audiences, Sarah Rose Graber and Ruxy Cantir present Unicorn Dance Party, a performance that celebrates joy, sparkles and finding your inner unicorn. This performance is suitable for 4+ years and will light up Thornhill Old School on Saturday 17th of May.

The Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival is delighted to support Sanquhar Arts Festival, this year celebrating the River Nith in poetry, art and walking. Poetry of the Nith will include performances from well known poet Hugh McMillian and local actor Lucy Doig, re-awakening local treasures in time, place and language. Also, in spoken word, three award winning poets, three unique voices! Three of a Kind brings together Gerda Stevenson, Chrys Salt and Pauline Prior Pitt on Friday 30th May at the Faed Gallery, Gatehouse of Fleet, after multiple sell out performances at the Edinburgh Book Fringe.

The 46th Festival will celebrate music in many forms, with the return of Cairn Chorus in Moffat, performing Songs of Renewal and Hope, and Sonic Labs, lighting up Dark Place Planetarium Kirkcudbright with an evening of cosmic soundscapes. Beth Malcolm visits Newton Stewart with FOLKMOSIS, which features traditional and new songs with spoken word, a personal story of self discovery blending and twisting against an immersive soundscape. Myshkin Warbler and Jenny Q bring a candid and spell-binding multimedia performance to The Swallow Theatre and Eskdalemuir Hub, portraying Jenny’s near death experiences. After surviving sepsis, Jenny describes in songs and spoken word the great challenges she overcame to completely rebuild her life. Held on the High Wire merges Jenny’s raw, vulnerable memoir with Myshkin’s haunting folk/jazz music, and films. After four sell out shows in 2024, Scottish Opera is back with its Pop-Up Operas, celebrating two Gilbert and Sullivan comedies in Sanquhar on the 31st of May and Moniaive the 1st of June, the closing event of the festival.

Simon Hart, CEO and Director of Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival:
“Every year since 1979 our festival has been a significant and much-loved part of our region’s rich and varied cultural offering for communities throughout Dumfries and Galloway. Over the past twenty years the festival has steadily grown and developed to become Scotland’s largest and oldest annual rural performing arts event, enriching people’s lives through the transformatory power and joy of experiencing and participating in the arts.
From supporting the talent and skill of brilliant local artists, to bringing national performers to present their work in villages and town across the region, our festival has something for everyone to enjoy and be inspired by. We look forward to welcoming you to an event this May somewhere in Dumfries & Galloway!”

For more information and to book your tickets to any of the events in the Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival 2025, visit their website: www.dgartsfestival.org.uk

Forestry and Land Scotland Urges Public To Exercise Extreme Caution

Forestry and Land Scotland is urging anyone who is planning to visit the countryside to help save lives, wildlife and property by exercising extreme caution.

The call to ‘Respect, Protect and Enjoy’ comes less than a week after fire crews have contended with several wildfires across the country, including one in Galloway Forest Park, and as the spell of hot, dry weather continues.

Graeme Prest, FLS’ Director of Land Management and Regions, said;

“Nobody can fail to be aware that with the extended period of hot, sunny weather and less than the usual rainfall, the risk of wildfire is significantly higher than normal.
“A wildfire can emerge from one stray spark. FLS is therefore urging visitors to not light campfires, to make sure that cigarettes are properly extinguished and to use a camping stove or gas barbecue rather than a disposable barbecues.
“Camping stoves must be as stable as possible and on a level and preferably fire resistant surface. They should also be kept well away from any flammable material.
“Anyone planning to visit the countryside over Easter needs to do their bit, abide by the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, be sensible and do not take any risks.
“And if you do see a wildfire, call 999 immediately”

Wildfires can spread very quickly and put people at significant risk, whether those people are the fire crews and support teams attending or those  members of the public who rely on a swift response in emergency situations at home or on the roads.

Graeme added;

“Fire service crews are wholly dedicated people who make every effort to be where they are needed, when they are needed.
“They will always be better able to rise to that challenge and do their job to the best of their ability when they do not have to divert their resources to avoidable fires.
“Everyone needs to bear that in mind, to not take any risks with fire and always be vigilant.”

Galloway Mountain Rescue Search & Recover Abandoned Camps

GALLOWAY MOUNTAIN RESCUE SEARCH AND RECOVER ABANDONED CAMPS
Last night (April 8th 2025) a team of seven from Galloway Mountain rescue Team, departed from Bruces Stone, Glentrool, heading towards the Loch Valley and Loch Neldricken area.
Following recent wildfires, several families who had been camping around the lochs were forced to evacuate, leaving their belongings behind.
A spokes person from GMRT Stated “We were made aware of three possible camp locations, the furthest being a challenging four-mile walk across terrain that, as far as the eye could see, had been scorched by fire.
Upon reaching the first location, we were met with an unexpected sight — Camp 1 was still standing. Aside from a single melted fishing rod, everything remained intact. The fire had completely surrounded the tents but, remarkably, left them untouched.
Efforts continued to locate the remaining two camps. Unfortunately, despite extensive searching, nothing was found.
Galloway Mountain Rescue Team is made up entirely of volunteers who live in the operational area.
Team members are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We rely on public donations to fund our work.”
If you would like to contribute, please visit our PayPal giving page and follow the link: https://www.paypal.com/GB/fundraiser/charity/4391478 

Police Search For Hit & Run E-bike Rider – Dornock

POLICE SEARCH FOR HIT AND RUN E-BIKE RIDER -DORNOCK
Police are appealing for witnesses following a road traffic collision which occurred on the B721 at Dornock.
Around 10 pm on 07/04/2025 a black Mini Cooper was being driven towards Annan from Eastriggs on the B721 at Dornock when there was a collision between it and an off road/E-bike and significant damage was caused to the windscreen of the Mini.
The driver of the off road/E bike then left the scene in the general direction of the Eastriggs area. We have so far been unable to trace the rider of the bike and we are appealing for any information to assist in identifying the rider to ensure their wellbeing.
If anyone has any information, dash cam or CCTV footage regarding the incident please contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting the incident 3746 of 7th April 2025.

Annan Churches Together Celebrate Easter With New Services

Annan Churches Together

Annan Churches Together have announced a number of additional services which will take place in the run-up to Easter this year as part of Holy Week.

There are also changes to the days in which some of the services have traditionally been held in the past. Everyone is welcome to any or all of the services, which take place as follows; –

Monday 14th April, 7pm at Annan URC Church
Tuesday 15th, 7pm with Hope Church, held at Kate’s Kitchen, Annan
Wed 16th, 7pm at St. Columba’s Church, Annan
Thurs 17th (Maundy Thursday) 6.30pm – Communion at The Baxter Hall, Eastriggs
Fri 18th (Good Friday), 2pm at St. John’s Eastriggs. 7pm at Annan St. Andrew’s Church, also “Stations of the Cross” service, 7pm at St. Columba’s Church

Sunday 20th (Easter Sunday)
8am, ACTs early morning service at Annan Motte & Bailey, followed by services at all churches which take place at normal Sunday Service times.

For further information contact

Graham Simons, Annan Churches Together
Razani, Annan,
Dumfriesshire, Scotland
DG12 5QP

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