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Daily Record
14-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Cycling in Dumfries and Galloway experiences 'transformative' 12 months
South of Scotland Cycling Partnership's review of 2024 has revealed a number of highlights, including major events in Gatehouse and Ae. The past 12 months have been described as 'nothing short of transformative' for cycling in Dumfries and Galloway. The past year saw the official launch of the Kirkpatrick C2C cycle route from Stranraer to Eyemouth as well as a range of improved cycle routes. And the region also played host to major events, with Ae Forest attracting 500 competitors for the British Enduro Championships and both the Raiders Gravel and The Gralloch being based in Gatehouse. These are among the highlights in the South of Scotland Cycling Partnership's review of 2024. The organisation is made up of a number of local and national organisations, including South of Scotland Destination Alliance, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Visit Scotland and South of Scotland Enterprise. Chief executive of SSDA, David Hope Jones, said: 'The year 2024 was nothing short of transformative for cycling in the south of Scotland. 'From hosting world-class events to launching the Kirkpatrick C2C, together we have shown the world what our region has to offer. 'These achievements are not only boosting our visitor economy, they are embedding cycling into the heart of our communities and landscape. 'The SSDA is proud to work alongside partners to ensure cycling continues to play a central role in putting the South of Scotland on the map for active and sustainable travel.' Chair of the council's education, skills and wellbeing committee, Councillor Maureen Johnstone, said: 'This review is a welcome one and shows how strong an offer we have as an area in relation to cycling. 'I would like to say thank you to all the partners who have come together to collaborate in this work to date, and long may it continue.' SOSE chairman, Professor Russel Griggs OBE, added: 'The South of Scotland Cycling Partnership Strategy annual review highlights the exceptional contribution of partners, businesses and community groups across the South who have made positive social and environmental impacts which cycling provides to our region. 'We want cycling to become the most popular choice for shorter, everyday journeys by 2032 in the South, and the review highlights the progress being made to achieving our collective goal.'
Daily Record
22-04-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Last chance to see casket believed to have belonged to Mary, Queen of Scots in Kirkcudbright
The stunning item has been on display at Kirkcudbright Galleries since November, attracting more than 12,000 visitors. More than 12,000 people have taken the chance to see a silver casket believed to have belonged to Mary, Queen of Scots. And there's now just a few days left to see the object at Kirkcudbright Galleries. The special exhibition will come to a close this Sunday. Chair of the council's education, skills and community wellbeing committee, Councillor Maureen Johnstone, said: 'It's been wonderful to have the casket in Kirkcudbright Galleries these last few months and to give both local people and visitors to the area the opportunity to view a national treasure up close.' The casket has been enjoyed by 12,500 visitors since going on display in November – a 20 per cent increase in visitor numbers over the winter. Its display has been supported by the Weston Loan Programme with Art Fund. Created by the Garfield Weston Foundation and Art Fund, the Weston Loan Programme is the first ever UK-wide funding scheme to enable smaller and local authority museums to borrow works of art and artefacts from national collections. The casket was acquired for the nation in 2022 for £1.8million thanks to support from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund, the Scottish Government and several trusts, foundations and individual donors. The galleries have been the ideal place for it to go on display and it is an appropriate setting for the artefact as it is just a few miles from Dundrennan Abbey, where Mary, Queen of Scots spent her last hours on Scottish soil in 1568. Plans are now being made for National Museums Scotland to loan a star object from the Galloway Hoard which has never been on display to Kirkcudbright Galleries.
