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Daily Record
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
What's on in Dumfries and Galloway this weekend as warm weather continues
Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival is under way with one of the region's biggest sporting events also taking place. The warm, dry weather is set to continue in Dumfries and Galloway this weekend – meaning it's the perfect chance to get out and explore. Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival is taking place over the next few weeks. Tonight will see Cairn Chorus perform at Moffat's Upper Annandale Church at 7.30pm. Further concerts are planned in Moniaive's Glencairn Institute at 7.30pm on Saturday night and the Cresset Hall at Loch Arthur in Beeswing at 3pm on Sunday. The opening weekend of the festival also includes Tom McGuire and the Brassholes at The Venue in Dumfries on Saturday night. And during the day, Sarah Rose Graber and Ruxy Cantir are bringing their Unicorn Dance Party to Thornhill Old School from noon – perfect for youngsters aged four and above. This weekend also sees one of the biggest events on the Dumfries and Galloway sporting calendar – The Gralloch. Nearly 3,000 cyclists are set to take part in the Gatehouse-based event, testing themselves in the Galloway Forest Park. The event is part of the UCI Gravel World Series and the main race starts from the town at 9.15am on Saturday ahead of a full day of entertainment. Before that, the event village is open from 9am today. And on Sunday there is a special sportive, which begins at 8.30am. Annan cartoonist and writer Jack O'Hara is giving a free artist's talk at Kirkcudbright Tolbooth at 10am on Saturday. He'll then host a drop-in children's workshop at Kirkcudbright Galleries from 1pm. While there, visitors can enjoy an exhibition of his work, which is free and runs until June 1. If you like monsters, myths and mermaids then Dumfries Museum is the place to be. They are holding a number of free storytelling events thanks to the team from Mostly Ghostly. They start on the half hour from 10.30am. Heathhall Family Fun Day takes place in the community centre from 12noon on Saturday, featuring entertainment, music and fun activities. Teviotdale Steel Bonnets will be appearing at Canonbie's Gilnockie Tower from 10.30am, giving people a chance to explore the medical practices used during the Border Reiver era. Arbigland Gardens near Kirkbean are opening their doors to the public on Sunday – the perfect chance to enjoy the sunshine. There have been many improvements since last year in the impressive grounds, which surround an Adam style 18th century mansion and extend down to the shore on the Solway Firth. The gardens are open from 2pm until 5pm and admission is £5, children free. Proceeds will go Scotland's Garden's Scheme charities and Absolute Classics and the Arts Society Dumfries and Galloway. Moffat Theatre Choir are organising a concert party singalong from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday as the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of VE Day continue. It will take place in Moffat Theatre with tickets available on the door. And Sunday also sees the popular Dumfriesshire SWI Show and Craft Fayre. It's taking place from 10.30am at Easterbrook Hall in Dumfries.
Daily Record
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Thousands of cyclists from around the world head to Dumfries and Galloway for The Gralloch
The Gatehouse-based event is being held for the third time and has become one of the UK's leading gravel events. Nearly 3,000 riders from around the world are descending on Dumfries and Galloway. The Gralloch is being held for the third time in Gatehouse and the Galloway Forest Park and it has become one of the UK's leading gravel events. Riders from more than 35 nations, as well as spectators, teams and industry exhibitors, are coming to the event, which is part of the UCI Gravel World Series. That means elite athletes have the chance to qualify for this year's UCI Gravel World Championships. Saturday's race will be followed by a non-competitive Gravel Sportive on Sunday, giving hundreds more riders the chance to tackle the course. Event director and co-founder, Maximilian Wussler, said: 'This weekend is a milestone for the south of Scotland. 'We're showcasing Galloway not just as a world-class gravel cycling destination, but as a region full of community spirit, natural beauty, and potential for adventure tourism. It's incredible to see the global cycling community discovering what we've known all along — this place is special.' The special event village will be open from 9am on Friday with a shakeout ride starting from the clubhouse at 10am. This is a chance to join event co-founder Malcolm Smith for a group ride along the first 30km of the Gralloch route. Another ride follows at 2pm, with the 32km route including the final 10km of the race route. In the evening there will be rider talks and interviews from 4pm on the main stage in Garries Park, with the elite riders being presented at 6.30pm. Live music follow from 7pm. The big day on Saturday sees the main Gralloch UCI race, with waves from 9.15am until around 11.15am. The leading men are expected back around 1pm with the elite women around 3.20pm. Ahead of the finish line celebrations, the kids race will take place at 12noon, with more entertainment in the evening. The focus switches to the sportive the following day, with riders setting off from 8.30am. The event is supported by Event Scotland, part of VisitScotland, and Dumfries and Galloway Council. Head of EventScotland, Rebecca Edser, said: 'We are pleased to be supporting The Gralloch through our national events programme. Events like it play a vital role in growing the value of Scotland's visitor economy. 'They bring people together, support local businesses, and create unforgettable experiences for all involved. We are delighted to welcome riders and spectators from across Scotland, the UK, and around the world to Britain's first UCI Gravel World Series event.' Chair of the council's education, skills and community wellbeing committee, Councillor Maureen Johnstone, added: 'Gatehouse of Fleet and the UCI Gralloch Gravel World Cup are a perfect match. The Council is delighted to support this world class event and showcase our region's wonderful cycling trails. 'Cycling is such a healthy way to keep fit, take exercise and get out and explore. I welcome the many competitors and visitors to Dumfries and Galloway who have been inspired to come to south west Scotland due to this exciting event.'
