On the young trad trail
Published at 21:34, Wednesday, 27 June 2012
AN exceptional group of Fèis Rois musicians will be showing off Scottish traditional music at its very best next month.
The Young Trad musicians visit Dumfries on Wednesday, July 18 while on their Year of Creative Scotland Trad Trail tour.
With their beautifully-crafted songs and driving tune sets, these young musicians promise audiences an entertaining performance of both traditional and contemporary folk music.
They will perform in Gracefield Arts Centre for an evening hosted by Gàidhlig Dumgal. Tickets are not needed but donations are welcome to go towards the cost of the tour. There will not be a bar but refreshments will be available, along with a raffle.
To reserve seats contact Anndra Wilson on 07722 114 518 or email beltie@me.com
As part of a new project, Discovering Dumfries and Galloway’s Past, the public is being offered an exciting opportunity to see archaeology in action at Birren’s Roman Fort near Middlebie.
On Saturday, July 7, visitors to the site can see a geophysical survey in progress, with a preview of the latest results.
Starting with a small display in Middlebie community hall there will be, on the hour, a walk up to the site to visit the earthworks of the fort and see the surveys from the University of Glasgow in action and to talk to the surveyors.
The Whitehouse Gallery, Kirkcudbright is hosting its summer exhibition from this Saturday until August 26.
The annual exhibition has become the gallery’s most successful event of the year.
It is a chance to see work by some of Scotland’s most celebrated fine artists, alongside up and coming talents, in an exhibition of very high standards.
Everyone is invited to the preview opening on Saturday when complimentary bubbly and hand-made chocolates are available.
It is open seven days a week.
A Border landmark, inspired by a mathematical genius, which provided a gateway into a remote area is heading for a milestone anniversary this Sunday.
Exactly 150 years ago to the day the first train crossed the magnificent multi-arched Kielder Viaduct in Kielder Water & Forest Park, linking Hexham with Riccarton Junction via the now defunct Border Counties railway line.
Now a day of celebrations is planned by the Northumberland & Newcastle Society to remember one of the great achievements of Victorian engineering.
The Forestry Commission will host talks and displays by railway heritage groups in Kielder Castle, while walkers stride out to retrace the line of the spectacular route through the forest.
Crossing the River Tyne was no easy feat for the 19th century architects and arches of huge geometric complexity were needed to cope with the skewed alignment of railway and river. The mathematics were solved in the 1840s by Peter Nicholson of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, a largely self-taught architect, mathematician and engineer who began life as a humble cabinetmaker. While the design pushed the limits of technology, it also had to gain favour with the Duke of Northumberland so it was built in Baronial style, complete with motifs and battlements in keeping with nearby 18th century Kielder Castle.
Talks at Kielder Castle are hosted by Roger Darsley and David Dunn with a buffet and refreshments included in the £10 entry fee. Tickets are available on 0191 281 6266 or email secretary@nandnsociety.co.uk
There will be a seven-mile walk crossing the viaduct. The terrain is fairly easy going. To book ring Terry Greg on 01434 250 462 or email viaduct150@staykielder.co.uk
A major new Burns event for Dumfries will premiere with three performances on Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22.
Life, Love & Liberty, a promenade performance, will bring to life the story of Robert Burns in Dumfries and reveal why the town and its people were his inspiration for some of the most famous songs he wrote.
Producer Sid Ambrose joins script writer and director John Cairney, the veteran actor widely regarded as the face and voice of the Bard, in this ambitious and unique outdoor event which will be led by professional actors in a production also featuring local performers and musicians.
This pageant performance celebrates Burns and his music and invites the audience to follow him and the cast on a journey around the town taking in key Burns’ landmarks, including Midsteeple, The Globe Inn, Theatre Royal and Burns Howff.
Information is available at www.dgartsfest.com
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Kirkcudbright branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
The Stewartry Museum celebrates the dedication of the men and women of this vital lifesaving service with an exhibition of photos, archives and memorabilia from the Kirkcudbright lifeboats. The exhibition runs until October 13.
The RNLI was founded in 1854 as the National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, changing to the RNLI in 1854. It is an independent charitable organisation and relies on the public for all its funds.
In about 1861 or 1862, after several wrecks near the bar of the River Dee, a lifeboat committee was formed and demanded a lifeboat to serve the area. By 1862, the RNLI had established a lifeboat station with its boathouse at Creekhead at the top of St Cuthbert’s Street.
The first boat, the Helen Lees, had to be hauled on a carriage from the boathouse to the quay which took precious time. In 1892 the current site at the Torrs Shore, nearer to the mouth of the River Dee, was chosen.
By 1997 a new building was acquired in the town and the crew still train there. A Land Rover takes them to the site of the lifeboat three miles away.
The exhibition runs until October 13.
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