Connecting the Communities of the Glenkens
NEWS
This is a pivotal moment for the Glenkens. With Dumfries and Galloway Council Education Department proposing the closure of Dalry Secondary School, there is a lot of anxiety about what the future holds for our communities.
What began as an idea raised through community surveys has become a reality, as Carsphairn’s village shop opens its doors once again. With a new name, a new look and a renewed purpose, the shop is ready to take its place once more at the heart of the community.
Situated on higher land close to Lochinvar reservoir, Milnmark Farm has been owned by the Ramsay family for over 50 years. Working the land there, Glenkens resident Jim Ramsay makes a living from livestock farming.
From the Glenkens to the edge of Dumfries, pupils from Dalry, Kells, Hardgate, Springholm, Colvend and Kirkgunzeon are coming together for Dumfries and Galloway Carnival.
Over the past few months, we have seen a number of targeted and opportunistic acquisitive crimes across the Stewartry as a whole.
The Glenkens Skills and Jobs Fair is on Thursday 24th September 2026 in Dalry School Hall.
All funds raised will be donated to Marie Curie and potentially split with Alzheimer’s Research if enough is raised.
President, Irene McCreath welcomed everyone to the first meeting after the summer break on Thursday 17th September.
Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service is urging householders to apply as soon as possible for the grant as the scheme ends on 30th September 2026.
Do you have apples growing which will go to waste? Would you like to participate in the gathering and central pressing of apples, and receive bottles of lovely juice in return?
Tom Pow's Towa Mura, created in Dumfries and Galloway with The Galloway Agreement and Bird Theatre Japan, is about to premiere in Tottori this September.
Saturday 15th August 2026 saw Glenkens Agricultural Society hold their annual show at Newfield Farm in Dalry, by kind permission of the Wilson family. This good old fashioned livestock show continues to go from strength to strength and this year was no exception.
Describing himself as a traditional farmer living in modern times, Robin Jardine is a ‘well kent’ figure in the Glenkens farming community. Born at Upper Hardland Farm, on the road between Balmaclellan and Bogue, he has lived and worked here all his life.
The Parton community has launched a campaign to purchase the former Parton Kirk and begin its transformation into a community and science centre celebrating the life, work and continuing relevance of James Clerk Maxwell.
As the summer holidays draw to a close, families attending the Bairn Banter group take a moment to reflect and reminisce about the Saturday mornings spent with family and friends, and the fun experiences had here in Carsphairn this summer.
Dumfries and Galloway Council have begun the Statutory Consultation process necessary to close Dalry Secondary School and are holding a meeting on Monday 7th September at 6pm in Dalry School to explain their closure proposal.
Parton Kirk, the burial place of the world-famous physicist James Clerk Maxwell, is being sold by the Church of Scotland.
The Glenkens Hub website is looking for photographers to help show off how great it is to live here.
Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland, near Corsock, is a result of an innovative partnership between the landowner, Foresight Group, and the community.
Following the success of the first Glenkens Skills and Jobs Fair in September 2025, we are delighted to announce that the event is to be held again on Thursday 24 September at Dalry Secondary School.
Saturday 29th August is the Great Corsock Show - an event now established as a Galloway institution and open to all.
The community council have now called a public meeting on 28th August to gauge public support for development of Parton Kirk.
After the record-breaking success of last year, this year's organisers are hoping they can match, if not exceed, the 353 entries at the upcoming show on 29th August 2026.
The event formed part of a new programme of work at Glaisters Bridge, an innovative site where landowner Foresight Group, supported by EJD Forestry is working with a range of community groups to add local value.
The decision by Dumfries and Galloway Council to proceed with a formal consultation on the proposed closure of Dalry Secondary School has prompted renewed discussion about the future of rural education across the Glenkens.
The Dumfries & Galloway Tree Planting Grant Scheme is now open for applications. This supports native tree planting across the region with grants of up to £1,000. Recipients last year varied from farmers and landowners through to community groups and schools, all of whom benefitted from the flexible and easy scheme to make their small scale tree planting ambitions come true!
British Regional Transport Association (BRTA) is campaigning to re-open the 73 mile rail link between Dumfries and Stranraer, closed since 1965.
Funding has now been secured from the Glenkens & District Community Fund to build on existing work, supporting a further series of public events on the site and to contribute towards the establishment of a new car park.
The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere features alongside the UK’s 61 other UNESCO sites on an updated map published by the UK National Commission for UNESCO.
CONSULTATIONS
NOTICEBOARD
JOBS & VOLUNTEERING
Carsphairn Community Woodland are on the lookout for their next Forestry Pre-apprentice.
As the business continues to grow, I’m looking for another cleaner to join the Dynamic Domestic team.
The Police Scotland Youth Volunteers Programme gives young people an insight into policing in Scotland and inspires them to participate positively in their communities.
This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who wants to provide meaningful support and companionship to an elderly individual in a home setting.
We are super excited to announce Young Creatives paid work experience opportunities as part of our Young Critics Programme for 18 -25 year olds.
We are looking for drivers to help us deliver our services on the following route: 517 Kirkcudbright/Borgue/Brighouse Bay.
Come and try befriending and working alongside others in our beautiful therapeutic community, near Corsock.
We’re especially keen to hear from you if you: have experience working with adults facing mental health challenges; have an interest in therapeutic gardening; an offer flexible availability between 9:00am–5:00pm, Monday to Friday.
Balmaclellan Village Hall is looking for a reliable, self-motivated Freelance Cleaner to help keep our community space clean, welcoming, and ready for local groups and events.
We have a long established project and we are looking for new folk to give us new life and impetus.
The Youth Group is going from strength to strength, but if we are to keep on supporting more young people, we need some more adult helpers.
Thee Cub Scout Pack meet on Wednesdays, in the Scout Hall, New Galloway, from 6.15-7.30pm.
Loch Ken Trust are looking for volunteers to join the new Glenkens Community Cardiac Responders Group.
The board currently comprises three Trustees and are looking to recruit a fourth. The term is for a minimum of five years. Responsibilities include attendance at four quarterly meetings per year, alongside active participation via email where necessary. Trustees are not remunerated.
We are seeking drivers with and without D1 on their licence (dependent on vehicle size), and we are looking for folk who would be willing to do a combination of paid and volunteer driving.
There are currently a number of vacancies for Loch Ken Trust Trustees and the Trust is especially looking for people with expertise in environmental and educational work.
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS … FOR FREE!
Email glenkenshub@hotmail.com to be added to the local directory.
Home cooked foods, freshly made drinks, village essentials, a warm, friendly place for everyone.
Moorings, Storage, Launches, Fishing Boat Hire, Kayak/Paddle Hire & more available on Loch Ken at Crossmichael Marina.
We are a small family run business located just outside Castle Douglas. In addition to our small beef and crop farm we decided to diversify into growing fruit and vegetables.
Native Grazers is a small grass fed beef enterprise nestled in the Glenkens hills, in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway.
Molly’s Snack & Go, nestled just out side Dalry, we serve hearty filled rolls to sweet treats.
Based in Crossmichael, Barbarella's offers a vast range of hair and beauty treatments for all your self care needs.
Hardland Homebakes is a wee honesty shed that will be stocked regularly with homemade cakes.
The community larder is a new initiative in New Galloway Town Hall where everyone can come to access surplus food - for free!
Offering freelancing for project management, event planning, data management and social media.
We are a grassroots not for profit company based in the Glenkens, dedicated to promoting eco-friendly practices in the world of art and creativity.
Situated in picturesque St John's Town of Dalry in the heart of the Glenkens, Dalry Angling Association offers opportunities for visitors and Glenkens residents to fish the local Water of Ken, rivers and lochs.
Little Farm Childminding is located just outside of Dalry. My aim is to provide a flexible and inclusive setting for all children and families in the area.
ROADS & TRANSPORT
Roadworks Wards 3&4 beginning Monday 5th October 2026
A762 Allangibbon Bridge to Glenlee closed 1st October - 4th November
Road closed A762
D&G Bus Users Group Complaints Form 16th September - 31st December 2026
Bus network Review - Public Survey
Reinstate the 520 bus service petition
