Explore the South of Scotland Magazine is produced bi-monthly with the twin objectives of promoting the tourism offer in the South of Scotland region - and the all important task of helping you plan ahead for your visit.
Your team
Editorial
David Pike
Yvonne Ridley Meriem Yahiaoui
Photography
Steven Somerville
Ian Bell
Discover a place conveniently close, yet worlds away! Whether you’re hiking our magical countryside, exploring on two wheels, or trying something new, you’re guaranteed to have a great time in the South of Scotland.
Dennis Laing
Get in touch
Explore the South of Scotland Magazine is free of charge and e-mailed to desktops everywhere. Make sure of a regular copy by getting in touch at the editor’s e-mail below.
And if you have a story you would like to share or an event coming up we would love to hear from you. 07970 811 831 davidpike55@googlemail.com
South of Scotland
Welcome to the South of Scotland
As an ambassador for the South of Scotland, Timmy Mallett is a hard act to follow.
He took centre stage at South of Scotland Destination Alliance’s annual conference - hosted by Peebles Hydro this year - and was a smash hit with everyone attending.
His genuine enthusiasm for Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders takes centre stage in the special SSDA conference supplement carried in this issue.
Timmy’s reference to his parents’ affection for the region, and in particular a visit they made tracking locations linked to crime writer Dorothy L Sayers book Five Red Herrings, made me sit up.
Only a week earlier I had stayed at The Ship Inn in Gatehouse of Fleet in Galloway - where Sayers was resident in the mid 1930s while researching and mapping out the popular Lord Peter Wimsey mystery.
Her Rolls Royce parked outside the hotel was a source of much local interest.
Talk about co-incidences - and we do in this issue, alongside featuring some top attractions to put on your must visit list.
Happy reading.
South of Scotland Magazine
In the News
Here to help you plan ahead
Playing a trump card for tourism in the South of Scotland
Whether its a day trip, a weekend break or an extended stay, the South of Scotland offers something for everyone. And it’s essential to plan ahead.
Explore the South of Scotland Magazine, in association with the South of Scotland Destination Alliance, is your perfect companion introducing you to places of interest, activity breaks and a look at what’s coming up for the two months ahead.
Our magazine is produced by experienced journalists, writers and photographers to help you make the most of your stay in a truly remarkable part of the world.
12-13 Spring Fling
Scotland’s leading contemporary art and craft open studios event across Dumfries and Galloway.
Crafty Distillery
Celebrating the height of good taste at Galloway's award winning Crafty Distillery.
6-7 On the trail of history
Enduring interest in the the Border Reivers and the historic legacy they left behind is at the heart of an exciting new project.
8-9 Nature in all her glory
Rated as one of the finest arboreta in the country, Dawyck Gardens attracts up to 40,000 visitors a year.
On the trail of tumultuous times in Borders history
Enduring interest in the the Border Reivers and the historic legacy they left behind is at the heart of an exciting new project to revitalise their heartlands.
Discussions held over the past two years have resulted in a formal launch of The Border Reiver Trail 60 - a consortium committed to restore and revitalise a 60-mile trail set up in the 1990s by Fiona Armstrong and the Clan Armstrong Trust.
Plans also include the addition of 11 new Reiver related locations along the route through the Esk, Teviot and Liddle Valleys.
Work on the Border Reiver Trail will be carried out over the next decade and organisers hope it will become a major draw for visitors to the region.
From the 14th to 17th century, these riding and raiding families - known as the Reiversspread fear across both sides of the border. A constant state of warfare created chaos, leading to the birth of words like "bereaved" and "blackmail."
The project will be co-ordinated from Gilknockie Tower, just south of Langholm, and the international HQ for Clan Armstrong.
Curator, Ian Martin, explained: "Currently, the Reiver Trail weaves through the storied landscape of the debateable lands, tracing 60 miles of historic sites steeped in tales of conflict, love, legacy and so much more.
the passion of volunteers in the Clan Armstrong for a trail that honours not just the Armstrong’s, but all Border Reiving families.
"But as time has passed, these remarkable sites have begun to show signs of neglect. Now, we’re taking action to restore and revitalise this trail, with plans to install new information boards, develop an engaging new website, archive the Armstrong Clan’s rich history, and embark on archaeological digs at key locations.
"It's an ambitious project, born from
"Our vision is to craft an unforgettable visitor experience that transports people to the very places their ancestors once lived, fought, and thrived.
"After two and a half years of meticulous research and hard work, we’ve laid a solid foundation. But to truly bring this vision to life, we need more hands-on deck and we are reaching out to organisations, history buffs, and anyone with a passion for preserving our shared heritage to get in touch," said Ian.
A new website is under construction, to showcase the expanded trail and keep people up-to-date with developments.
Until that goes live anyone wanting to offer help or seeking more information should contact Ian at Gilknockie Tower.
The Tower itself is a treasure trove of artifacts that commemorate the Clan Armstrong - including a special display room dedicated to the first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong, who made a personal visit with his wife Janet in 1972.
Dawyck - delivering a great day out
by David Pike
For over 300 years a spectacular chunk of hillside in Tweeddale, in the heart of the Scottish Borders, has been cultivating a growing reputation.
The 65-acre site at Scrape Hill - better known as Dawyck Gardens - is home to historic tales that stand tall in the world of conservation and global exploration.
Rated as one of the finest arboreta in the country, Dawyck attracts up to 40,000 visitors a year.
Its success is a tribute to a trio of landowners - the Veitch, Naesmyth and Balfour families - who managed and shaped the landscape.
The first exotic species were introduced to Dawyck by the Veitch's in the late 17th century; among them an impressive European Silver Fir dating back to 1680 that continues to flourish.
After acquiring the estate in 1691, Sir James Naesmyth laid the overall plan for the gardens and introduced new species from Europe and North America; a family tradition taken up with gusto by Sir John Murray Naesmyth in the 1800s.
Just over 40 years ago, Col Alistair
Balfour gifted Dawyck to the nation and it is now an important part of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh organisation, contributing to vital research, eductional and conservation work.
It is also the perfect choice for those who enjoy close contact with nature.
Beautifully designed, Dawyck offers leisurely trails, outstanding views and breathtaking natural backdrops that change with the seasons.
A splendid visitor centre has been added to the Dawyck landscape with a cafe and film studio that stages regular exhibitions and work by local artists.
Curator Graham Stewart said: "Dawyck offers many things to many people. It's somewhere for exercise and stimulation as well as quiet contemplation.
"We have dedicated trails with trees from China, Japan and Nepal as well as Europe and North and South America. You can go round the world in an afternoon.
His passion for trees led to support for plant hunting expeditions to north-west America led by David Douglas (17991834) - after which the Douglas Fir was named.
Appropriately a commemorative David Douglas Trail (one of several magnificent themed walks) takes pride of place at Dawyck.
From 1897 the estate passed to the Balfour family and extensive collections of North American conifers together with flowering shrubs were added.
"There's a five-star welcome at our visitor centre and the menu of homecooked food won't disapppoint. All in all it's a great day out," he said.
Dawyck has a Gold Award for Green Tourism that underpins its drive to match visitor experience with strong environmental principles.
An early Victorian hydroelectric system now provides power for the Garden buildings and exports surplus power to the National Grid.
Link arms with Mother Nature - and put Dawyck on your must visit list.
Peebles, EH45 9JU
Garden opening times
Daily from Feb 1 to November 30
Opening hours
February and November - 10am to 4pm
March and October - 10am to 5pm
April to September - 10am to 6pm
Tel: 01721 760254
Email: info@rbge.org.uk
Web: www.rbge.org.uk/dawyck
in the South of Scotland
The
Ship Inn - plotting a course to be the best in the business
by David Pike
The Ship Inn at Gatehouse Fleet has become accustomed to taking celebrity status in its stride.
The latest accolades - VisitScotland's Best Restaurant in Dumfries and Galloway for 2023 and Best Hotel Experience in the 2024 South of Scotand Thistle Awardsunderline the exceptional experience on offer at this superb Galloway hotel.
Both serve to enhance the south of Scotland's tourism appeal and reward the vision and ambition of owners Jonathan and Sarah Henderson (right).
They took over The Ship Inn a decade ago after the arrival of their first child, swapping busy careers in Edinburgh's financial sector for the calmer coastal environment of the Solway Firth.
"Starting a family left us having to juggle responsibilities and we soon realised we needed to rethink things. Having our own hotel had always been a dream and The Ship Inn ticked all the boxes.
"We knew the Galloway area well as regular visitors and it has proved to be the perfect place to move to and bring up a family," said Sarah.
20% of bookings coming from Ireland and abroad.
And that aforementioned celebrity status can be traced back 90 years to links with the world of literature and films.
In the 1930s author Dorothy L Sayers booked in at The Ship Inn (her Rolls Royce became a visitor attraction in its own right) to work on her book Five Red Herrings - a Lord Peter Wimsey offering.
As mentioned in the page three welcome, the parents of TV personality Timmy Mallett visited the area to track down locations mentioned in the book.
She communted to work for two years as improvements and investment in the hotel were started.
Today, The Ship Inn with 10 rooms and two self-catering units is pre-eminent in its field.
It's visitor profile is dominated by demand from south of the border with
Members of the Dorothy L Sayers Society are regulars at The Ship Inn.
Fast forward 40 years and Gatehouse of Fleet is buzzing about hosting settings for the film, The Wicker Man, starring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee and Britt Eckland.
There's a distinctly mischevious smile on Jonathan's face as he tells me I have been staying in the same room as Britt Eckland.
A perfect base for touring this exceptional region, The Ship Inn is warmly recommended.
For restaurant and accommodation 01557 814 217 reservations@theshipinngatehouse.com
More information w www.theshipinngatehouse.com
Spring Fling lines up a feast for arts and crafts fans
Scotland’s leading contemporary art and craft open studios event has unveiled the list of artists and makers selected to take part in 2025.
Among the more than 80 participants are internationally renowned names such as the slipware potters Fitch and McAndrew – who recently had two pieces purchased and placed on immediate public display by the V&A.
Other high-profile people include glassmaker Amanda J Simmons, textile designer Morag Macpherson, landscape painter Angela Lawrence and Daniel Lacey, maker of exquisite bespoke furniture created from storm felled timber.
Spring Fling, which takes place across Dumfries and Galloway (from Moffat to Stranraer) on May 24-26, attracts thousands of visitors to meet artists and makers of every kind working in one of Scotland’s most beautiful rural regions.
The range is impressive, encompassing everything from painting, printmaking, jewellery, photography, furniture, glassmaking and ceramics to handmade chef knives, carved wooden mobiles, decorative metalwork, installation art, tapestry, costume and hats.
Natasha Kinsella, Events and Exhibitions Development Manager for Upland CIC which runs Spring Fling, said: “Revealing the artists and makers taking part in Spring Fling is always such an exciting moment.
“People love finding out if their favourite familiar faces are back, spotting new names on the list, and starting to plan their trips. This year’s line-up is fantastic – there’s something for everyone.
“And, as always, Spring Fling is about more than just the art. It’s a chance to meet amazing people, peek inside inspiring studios, and explore the stunning villages, towns, coasts, hills, and rolling farmlands that make this part of Scotland so special.”
The 2025 event features 13 first-time participants, including Rhiannon Dewar and Murray Young who are the beneficiaries of Upland’s annual Emerge bursary and mentorship scheme which is designed to nurture fresh talent.
Among the frequent Spring Fling participants – who many visitors return to see year after year – are the textile maker Gyllian Thomson, potters Andrew Priestman and Mary Gladstone, visual artists Anne Butler and Hazel Campbell, hatmaker Kay Ribbens, blacksmith Adam Booth and many more.
More information about the event and locations can be found at:-
www.spring-fling.co.uk and www.weareupland.com
Pictured (clockwise from top): Anne Butler, Amanda Simmons, Dough Fitch and Hannah McAndrew, Gillian Thomson and Mary Gladstone.
Tradition & Culture
Tartan tribute for world heritage site
One of Scotland's top heritage sites has unveiled an official tartan after partnering with Lochcarron of Scotland.
New Lanark has announced the official registration and launch of its own "New Lanark Tartan."
Unique to New Lanark, it has been custom designed by New Lanark Trust Chairperson
James Pow, in partnership Lochcarron, the world's leading manufacturer of tartan based in Selkirk in the Scottish Borders.
Developed by Lochcarron and now in full production at their factory, the new tartan celebrates New Lanark’s rich heritage while showcasing a new level of collaboration with one of Scotland’s most respected textile producers.
The New Lanark Trust Tartan features across a range of high-quality items including scarves, throws, and blankets, now available for purchase in the New Lanark Mill shop.
In addition to retail offerings, New Lanark is also exploring the possibility of incorporating the tartan into staff uniforms and even using it to add a touch of tradition and elegance to the soft furnishings in the New Lanark Hotel’s bedrooms.
James Pow commented: “Our partnership with Lochcarron of Scotland is a perfect example of how two iconic Scottish brands can come together to celebrate and promote our shared heritage.
“The New Lanark Tartan symbolises both our history and the creativity that continues to drive us forward. We are incredibly proud to offer visitors the chance to take home a piece of New Lanark in the form of beautifully crafted Lochcarron tartan products.”
Lochcarron of Scotland, a world leader in tartan and textile manufacturing, has been producing high-quality woven goods since 1892.
Renowned for their expertise and dedication to Scottish tradition, Lochcarron’s products are celebrated around the world for their craftsmanship and authenticity.
Dawn Robson-Bell, Managing Director
of Lochcarron of Scotland, said: “We are delighted to have collaborated with New Lanark Trust on this unique tartan from design concept to finished product.
“We hope they have much success with the range and development of the pattern through other opportunities within their site.”
New Lanark commissioned Lochcarron of Scotland to develop their exclusive tartan to represent the unique history and spirit of
The collaboration has been a resounding success, and with demand on the rise, the range of New Lanark Tartan products will be expanded through 2025.
New Lanark - UNESCO World Heritage site
New Lanark is a former 18th century cotton spinning mill village located on the banks of the Falls of Clyde just under 1 hour from Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Today it is recognised as one of Scotland’s 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites of ‘outstanding universal value’ and welcomes over 300,000 visitors annually to our site.
New Lanark has a resident village community of 65 households, set within a National Nature Reserve with outstanding designed landscapes and woodlands.
In the village we have an award-winning Visitor Centre offering a range of visitor attractions
More at ... www.newlanark.org and at www.lochcarron.co.uk
South of Scotland Destination Alliance Annual Conference
New Lanark.
Conference pictures: Phil Wilkinson
A smash hit for tourism at the SSDA conference
We were hugely excited when Timmy Mallett, the much-loved children’s entertainer and chart-topping musician from the 80’s and 90’s accepted our invitation to speak at the SSDA’s 2025 Annual Conference.
Like everyone my age, my childhood Saturday mornings were spent glued to the TV watching Timmy.
So it was with genuine excitement, and nervousness, that I picked him up from Tweedbank station.
His enthusiasm was infectious and I was immediately transported back to my eight year old self, keen to talk about Wacaday and the Wide Awake Club.
In recent years Timmy has become the cycling artist: cycling 10,000+ miles across Europe and circumnavigating the UK, stopping each day to paint what he sees.
So, no surprise that Timmy arrived at Tweedbank with his trusted bike in tow: a bike almost as colourful as him (because he painted it!).
His talk at the conference was not only fun (which we expected), it was a very authentic celebration of all he loves about the South of Scotland.
It was genuinely moving when he talked about his late brother: a relationship which continues to inspire his travels, his art and his indefatigable love of life in all its wackiness!
But the conference wasn’t the end of my time with Timmy; he wanted to do more to celebrate the South.
So, the next day I took him to the beach on the River Tweed by the beautiful Leaderfoot viaduct where he had invited the BBC’s One Show to film him painting the scene.
Scotland Starts Here
The future of tourism in the South of Scotland
Through the day he used the filming to share all that is brilliant about the Scottish Borders and the South of Scotland. Our Ambassador Extraordinaire!
I then drove Timmy past St Mary’s Loch (where we had a stone skimming competition, which he won), the Grey Mare’s Tail, and on to Moffat.
From there Timmy took to his bike and over the next few days cycled to Stranraer; never missing an opportunity to paint and share the beauty and wonder of the South of Scotland with his vast online following. They say never meet your childhood heroes. Rubbish!
Timmy was all I expected and more. A very authentic, kind and joyous individual who taught me a lot about living in the moment, enjoying everything we have, and being far louder and prouder about the wonders of the South of Scotland.
Because Scotland Starts Here.
A team effort delivering success for the South of Scotland
Over the past 12 months the South of Scotland's tourism sector has notched up some notable sucesses.
Underpinned by targets and aspirations laid out in SSDA's Responsible Tourism Strategy.
One of the key objectives of the Responsible Tourism Strategy is to develop the South of Scotland as a year-round destination.
Recent data presented by the latest independent STEAM ((Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor) figures showed consistent all round growth in the tourism sector.
The figures for 2023 showed the South of Scotland:-
• Grew its visitor economy by 20% increasing by £150m, to £911m
• Created 14% more jobs, with 15,652 people now employed in tourism
• Increased visitor numbers by 26%, to over 5 million.
The data also confirmed that the SSDA hit its 2025 Covid recovery targets of having a £750m visitor economy supporting 14,000 jobs, 2.5 years ahead of target.
This positive message has been further enhanced with a succession of important announcements:-
• Center Parks unveiled plans for a 700 lodge holiday park on a 1000-acre site north of Hawick.
The £400m development would create up to 1,200 jobs
• CampbellMac Developments is seeking to develop a 70-luxury lodge holiday park at Earlsheugh, south of Jedburgh
• The Campaign for Borders Rail welcomed approval to start the next phase of work to explore the case for extending the Edinburgh to Tweedbank line to Carlisle.
All promise great things for the future of tourism in our region.
Scotland Starts Here:
for the South of Scotland
2024 - 2034
Telling our story and building awareness
This year our annual conference – and my first as Chair of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance - felt especially significant, as we marked our 5th anniversary. And while in many ways we’re still at the start of our journey – transforming the South of Scotland into a year-round, world-class destination, we’re thrilled at the volume of progress that’s been made over these past five years.
What continues to surpass our expectation is how much, collectively – with SOSE, VisitScotland, our two councils and our members - we are shifting the dial, shining a spotlight on the South of Scotland, building the Scotland Starts Here brand, inspiring more people to visit, and attracting investment of all sizes to our local visitor economy.
However, the challenges businesses face today are perhaps even more daunting than ever before – the rising cost of doing business, cost-of-living pressures, a shrinking workforce - are just some of the issues we are all conquering every day.
But SSDA will continue to be a driving force for our visitor economy. We are stronger as a region and a sector than we were five years ago.
The awareness of the South as a visitor destination has never been higher, and as we enter this next chapter, we do so with five years’ worth of momentum, knowledge and drive, and most importantly, with more collaborative, more effective partnerships with our all stakeholders and members.
All our Conference speakers provided buckets full of fresh insight and creativity for our region and we all left energised and inspired to talk more, do more, love more about what we do every day.
We look forward to the next five years and I for one will always remember the words of our key-note speaker, the legendary Timmy Mallet,
and tell the stories of those South of
David Hope-Jones OBE CEO, South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA)
who urged us to ‘be in the moment’
Scotland moments far and wide!
Vicki Steel Chair - South of Scotland Destination Alliance
Utterly brilliant - Mallett magic wows conference
As an ambassador for the South of Scotland, Timmy Mallett will be a hard act to follow.
He took centre stage at this year’s South of Scotland Destination Alliance’s conference, making a stunning entrance on his famous bike and making friends wherever he went.
His genuine enthusiasm for Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders came across in a presentation that was entertaining - harking back to the days of the Wide Awake Club and Wacaday - and poignant.
He now styles himself as Cyclist, Artist and TV Presenter - the bug for biking starting when he cyclied from London to Brighton in 1987.
Since then he’s travelled the world with his famous bike cum mobile art studio - trips that include cycling the coastline of the UK (5,000 miles) and to Santiago De Compostella in northern Spain returning to Southampton via St Malo ... a journey of another 1500 miles or so.
As a prelude to his guest appearance at the SSDA conference he was reacquainting himself with the cycle routes through Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders.
“There are so many thing to celebrate in the south of Scotland and I love the way they give names to their towns, like Kirkcudbright - the Artists’ Town,” said Timmy who shared his infectious enthusiasm for travelling, meeting people and creating a diary of paintings of his trips.
He also shared memories of family life that included a trip his parents had taken to Gateshouse of Fleet tracking references to the book Five Red Herrings, a Lord Peter Wimsey mystery written by Dorothy L Sayers - she stayed at The Ship Inn (see page 10).
He followed in his father’s footsteps to paint a bridge mentioned in the book and both paintings now hang in the Cocoburry Gallery in Dumfries.
They also included growing up with bother Martin was had Downs Syndrome and died from dementia.”He was a lovely lad and I leave a Martin name tag at places I visit in his memory,” he told the conference audience.
His presentation closed with nostalgic Wacaday moments giving members of the audience a change to win a Mallett and a copy of his new book Utterly Brilliant.
More about Timmy Mallett at www.timmymallett.co.uk - come back soon.
It's time to start
thinking Thistles
Here in the South of Scotland we want to celebrate and encourage the excellence our hospitality and tourism providers offer. It is one of the key reasons the SSDA took on organising the inaugural 2023 South of Scotland Thistle Awards.
One of five regional award events, the South of Scotland Thistle Awards winners go on to compete at the national Scottish Thistle Awards.
The local engagement and support from tourism businesses over the past two years has exceeded all expectations and has resulted in as many national Thistle Awards as the previous 21 years put together.
Never before has the South of Scotland won more national awards than any other region. What better welcome for those coming to visit than to be staying, eating and visiting places that have won Scotland’s tourism Oscar!
We are delighted that The South of Scotland 2025 awards will be supported for a third year by Caledonia Park.
To be considered for an award go to the online entry form at www. ssdalliance.com where you'll be asked to share a bit about your business.
The closing date for entries is Monday 28th April and our ceremony will take place in Dumfries & Galloway on 2nd October 2025.
If you need further help please contact our Thistle lead Sarah Macdonald at sarah@ssdaliance.com
• In 2024 four of our twelve regional winners went on to be named National Thistle Award winners we look forward to sending strong contenders from the South of Scotland this year!
with thanks to all our conference sponsors
Salmon catches on the Tweed show a big jump in 2024
The River Tweed enjoyed a surge in salmon visits last year.
The River Tweed Commission (RTC) annual report for 2024, reported on a significant improvement in salmon catches during the 2024 fishing season.
A total of 9,947 salmon were landed by rods, with an additional 483 caught by nets.
This represents an increase of 3,076 salmon above the five-year average of 6,871, marking the highest rod catch recorded since 2013.
The primary factor behind the increase in catches appears to be a greater number of returning salmon. Anecdotal reports suggest that both grilse and multi-sea-winter salmon were more abundant in 2024.
A new record-high catch-and-release rate was also achieved on the Tweed this season.
Of the 9,947 salmon caught by rods, an impressive 97.2% were returned to the river, reflecting the strong commitment of anglers to conservation efforts.
Jonathan Reddin, RTC Chief Commissioner, commented: "The 2024 season has been a positive one for the River Tweed.
"It is crucial that we remain aware of the challenges confronting the Atlantic Salmon and continue our committed efforts to guarantee, to the best of our ability, a consistent supply of cold, clean water.
Jamie Stewart, Clerk to the RTC, added: "The improved catches this year are a welcome sign, and we are grateful to all those who practice catch-and-release to support the sustainability of the river.
"The RTC will continue working with the Tweed Foundation and other catchment partners to monitor and protect salmon populations for future generations."
This positive outcome offers hope for the Tweed’s salmon stocks. The RTC remains committed to ongoing conservation and management efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of this iconic fishery.
For the good of the river
The Tweed Foundation is a charitable trust working to protect, improve and enhance the stocks of all native freshwater fish species within the River Tweed system We are at the forefront in bringing a professional, scientific approach to fisheries management and are engaged in an extensive programme of biological monitoring, habitat enhancement and education
Tweed Foundat on Drygrange Stead ng, Melrose, Roxburghshire TD6 9DJ
Trips and Trails
The Crafty way of celebrating the height of good taste
At the award winning Crafty Distillery its all about good taste.
Since its launch in 2017 the business has established an international reputation for distilling expertise and the production of high quality products.
Standing on a site overlooking Newton Stewart that was once a busy thoroughfare for the town's railway station, Crafty Distillery now welcomes over 20,000 visitors a year.
The invitation from distillery manager Nicky Docherty (right) and his team, who have designed an exceptional visitor friendly atmosphere, is to "Take you taste buds on tour."
Crafty's range of vibrant gins, pure vodka and the introduction of a single malt whisky make it an irrisistable offer; one that has put it on the map nationally and internationally.
Its awards list includes:-
• Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year
• Best Scottish London Dry Gin
• Double Gold awards in the 2019 and 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and another Gold in 2023
• Scottish Gin destination of the year
"As well as producing our three core products we also produce the Galloway Gin which is a limited edition gin of just over 1000 bottles released in October
"All the botanicals are foraged in Galloway and the recipe changes every year depending on what has been growing well, making each years edition very unique and collectable.
"We combine that with a long fermentation programme, two or three times the industry norm, and the results go down very well, putting Crafty Distillery on the map far and wide.
"And, I am pleased to say, that also has positive spin-offs for the tourism sector here in Galloway and for the south of Scotland," said Nicky whose distilling credentials include eight years working in the whisky industry on Scotland's west coast. Crafty Distillery, not surprisingly, is also a big hit with local community life and is a popular choice for special events.
New spa helps Cairndale to Scottish hotel crown
A £2m investment in a state-of-the-art Spa has paid off quickly for Dumfries’ Cairndale Hotel after it won the title of Independent Hotel of the Year in the Scottish Excellence Awards. The two-storey spa, which opened last July, was voted one of the top new facilities in Britain in November, coming in ahead of some of the finest luxury hotels in London and the South-East.
The spa, under the management of Claire Primrose, now has a staff of more than 20.
Judges commented: “The Cairndale was a worthy winner due to its investment in the Spa and its staff, its support of the local community, excellent customer feedback and its focus on sustainability.
“The atmosphere, service levels and facilities are fabulous. It is a very special place to stay.”
The hotel, which has been owned and run by the Wallace family for more than 40 years, was also shortlisted in the Premium Hotel category in the Scottish Golf Tourism Awards and was named Business of the Year in the most recent D&G Life Awards.
“Investing such a large sum of money in the development was a calculated risk but we have always planned for the long-term,” said Director Matthew Wallace Jnr (right) with spa manager Claire.
“We have tapped into a fast-growing market for health and wellbeing, and are meeting strong demand with the latest treatments and techniques.
"It is wonderful to have received such outstanding success so soon and especially to have brought many more visitors to Dumfries and Galloway because the Spa is attracting guests from all over the country,” he added.
Cairndale’s spa offers a wide and innovative variety of treatments, including those dealing with effects of the menopause, pregnancy, guests suffering from cancer - and ailments commonly suffered by golfers.
• The Cairndale is also celebrating its place in the final of Scotland’s Golf Tourism Awards by staging its first two day competition.
The Cairndale Cup 4BBB Stableford event will be held at Dumfries and County Golf Club from Sunday 13th to Tuesday 15th July with competitors staying at the town centre hotel and enjoying meals there.
A practice day on the 5,925 yard course on the Sunday will be followed by the competition on Monday and Tuesday with a gala dinner and prize giving that night.
Awards will be presented by Club professional James Erskine. Covering 88 acres, the D&C course was designed by British Open Champions Willie Fernie and James Braid.
To book email golf@cairndalehotel.co.uk or call 01387-240286
Wigtown seeks new storylines
Wigtown Book Festival has launched the annual Anne Brown Essay Prize for Scotland.
The £1,500 prize is awarded for the best literary essay by a writer in, or from, Scotland.
Each year the number of entries has grown, along with variety of subjects tackled by their writers.
Adrian Turpin, Wigtown Book Festival Artistic Director, (right) said: “Essays are among the most powerful forms of writing, allowing writers to dig deep into issues and share ideas and feelings with readers in a way that combines impact with intimacy.
“Sadly, there are all too few outlets for essays these days. The Anne Brown Essay Prize is an attempt to change this, providing a platform for essayists from or with a strong connection to Scotland – a country where the essay has a proud tradition.
“As ever we will be looking for compelling writing that will engage readers by offering them fresh perspective on anything and everything, from the level of individual human experience through to vast events which shape our entire world.”
Last year’s winner was Edinburgh-based Sarah Whiteside for Thin Slices. Entries close on 6 June 2025
The boys behind Glam Racket Events will be back in town this year adding three dates to this year’s calendar of their Paxton House Antique Fair...
May 9-11
July 11-13
Sept 12-14
Their successful launch at the beautiful Borders venue last year saw up to 80 dealers showcase a diverse range of antiques and collectibles.
Seppe Anthony, Dennis Davidson and Paul Yousaf previously worked together at Fern Avenue Antiques, in Jesmond, Newcastle.
glassware, curiosities, cameras, clothing, and much more.
Last year’s fairs each attracted almost 2,000 visitors, a visit from TV crew Salvage Hunters and attracted rave reviews.
Once again the fairs will feature a large onsite marquee housing 25 indoor dealers, and over 50 outdoor marquees and sellers.
Visitors can relax and enjoy browsing for furniture, decorative pieces, salvage items, jewelry, ceramics,
Cheers....awards for Annandale Distillery
Annandale Distillery, the award-winning whisky producer, has been named the National Category Winner for Scotland in the Leisure category, receiving a Platinum Plus Award for its exceptional washroom facilities.
Adding to the accolades, Margaret Rutter, Annandale’s dedicated Washroom Technician, has been named the Washroom Technician of the Year for Scotland, recognising her commitment to maintaining pristine and welcoming washrooms.
The Globe Inn, a historic pub and restaurant with strong ties to Robert Burns, also shone brightly in the awards, achieving a Diamond grading and securing the title of Hospitality Market Sector Award Winner and Heritage Category Award Winner.
The Globe Inn isn't just steeped in history; it's a culinary destination. With two Michelin listings, the current Dumfries & Galloway Life Restaurant of the Year award, and VisitScotland's Best Eating Experience under its belt, The Globe Inn offers a truly exceptional dining experience.
Lee Medd, Head of Place Marketing, Tourism Development & Events for Annandale Distillery Group, expressed his delight at the accolades, stating, “We are incredibly proud of these achievements. It is a testament to our commitment to providing exceptional experiences for our visitors, down to the smallest detail. Clean, well-maintained washrooms are an essential part of any visitor attraction, and we are thrilled that our efforts have been recognised by the Loo of the Year Awards.”
Hot food and snacks and a bar serving wine and beer will be on offer in the picturesque grounds of Paxton House, one of Scotland’s finest examples of neoPalladian architecture.
Influential backing for the national park
One of southern Scotland’s most respected estate owners has called on the public – and landowners –to support the creation of a new National Park in Galloway, South and East Ayrshire.
Mark Gibson OBE, who was named “Countryman of the Year” in 2009, has spent 24 years restoring and reviving the 3,000-acre Craigengillan Estate in East Ayrshire, on the banks of Loch Doon.
But his work has been about much more than building a self-sufficient estate – Mark has an astonishing track record for social engagement, economic regeneration, promotion of countryside access, charitable and educational projects.
And he sees the current public consultation on the creation of a new National Park as a huge opportunity for the region – a chance to protect and enhance its natural assets and harness them to build a brighter, more sustainable future.
He said: “National Park status would enhance our ability to do much more for the region and to create a better future for so many people, particularly younger people and future generations.”
Indeed, he feels that ownership comes with an obligation to steward Scotland’s land in ways that promote social inclusion, wellbeing and opportunity.
He said: “Being a landowner involves responsibilities. You cannot give yourself precedence over the interests of nature and of local people – all the more so in an area where we have such a rapidly ageing population and so many of our young are leaving because the prospects are so poor.
“National Parks are very good at bringing people together to collaborate in the interests of nature, the environment and the community, and that’s very much what we need.”
