16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Scotland's first ever festival for dogs featuring music, art and dog-themed tarot readings
'I wanted to create a day that celebrates the special bond we have with our dogs — while also being fun, inspiring and inclusive for all dog lovers, whether they have a pup or not."
Scots will be able to enjoy the country's first ever festival for dogs and dog lovers, which will be staged this summer.
Barklove 2025 is the brainchild of dog lover and music publicist Jenn Nimmo-Smith who will stage the indoor and outdoor festival at the SWG3 venue complex in Glasgow.
Her festival for dogs, and also dog lovers, will also feature music as well as dog-themed art and even dog-themed tarot card readings.
The festival, which is being held on Sunday, July 6, 2025, has a full canine-themed program of events taking place throughout the day. However, Barklove founder Jenn is keen to stress that people who don't own dogs are also welcome.
Jenn said: 'I've had a lifelong love of dogs. We grew up with a springer spaniel. Dogs have always played a prominent role in my life. And then when my dad was sick, we got Scout who is a golden retriever.
'When my dad passed away I found all these old photos and realised that when he was growing up he had a golden retriever as well.
'So there have been all these mental health benefits to having a dog. Scout has been a total lifesaver.
'Scout has been great and she gets me up and out every day, taking her for walks, coming home every day to someone who has this unbridled love for you
'It's unparalleled, and you get to meet a lot of people in your local community. I could tell you the name of every dog in Govan, maybe not the owners, but definitely, definitely their dogs.
'It's brought a great sense of community in terms of connection with the local area.
'I've always wanted to do a music festival and I work in PR. I've always had a really lifelong love of events running alongside my lifelong love of dogs. So I thought, why not combine the two?
'And I came up with the idea for Barklove and it grew arms and legs and paws.'
Even if people don't have a dog of their own, Jenn says there will be a chance to get up close with therapy dogs and enjoy the atmosphere of a family and dog friendly day out.
Taking over the full of Glasgow's SWG3 complex, the festival will feature a packed day of feel-good experiences, from DJ sets and dog care demos to wellbeing sessions, tasty food stalls, and creative activities.
Highlights include the lighthearted Barklove Fun Dog Show, where attendees will be invited to get involved by voting for their favourites across a mix of fun, feel-good categories.
Bearsden Dog Training club will host a fun agility area while Barkworks is a hands-on art space created in collaboration with Yardworks, where both dogs and humans can get stuck into making dog-themed art.
Stylish dog gear, luxury hand baked treats, lifestyle finds, and a dog-friendly campervan will also be on site as well as therapy dogs.
Paws & Reset classes led by Fi Duffy of Scottish Canine Wellness will offer a pause, or should that be paws, in the day for both dogs and their guardians.
Tarot by Peachy will offer dog-themed tarot readings.
Jenn said: 'Combining my lifelong love of dogs with my background in events, Barklove is something I've dreamed of bringing to life for a long time.
'SWG3 have such a great creative space. It's an iconic space that is one of the most creative venues in Scotland. I've worked closely with them before, and I knew that it was like the perfect setting to bring something like Barklove to life in terms of having it indoors and a mix of outdoors.
'I wanted to create a day that celebrates the special bond we have with our dogs — while also being fun, inspiring and inclusive for all dog lovers, whether they have a pup or not.
'Scout will be on the guest list. She is the official mascot. I don't know how she'll feel about me with all these other dogs.
'Barklove is celebration of the joy and connection that dogs bring into our lives, inspired by my lifelong love with them and what they mean to me.
'I really set out to create something fun, welcoming, a little bit different. It's not just for dogs and dog owners, but for anyone who loves being around dogs.
'So it's a chance to spend quality time with your dog, connect with other like minded people, other dog lovers also discover really local businesses.
'I can't wait to welcome everyone to SWG3 this summer for the very first edition.'
