A single Responsible Tourism Strategy for the South of Scotland is being proposed by the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA), VisitScotland, South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), Scottish Borders Council and Dumfries & Galloway Council.

The Glenkens & District Community Action Plan was published in 2020, and is owned and kept relevant by the CAP Steering Group, who felt it was timely to publish an Update Report on the progress of the Community Action Plan to date.

Muirdrochwood Woodland, near Carsphairn, has been a hive of activity since ownership passed to Carsphairn Community Woodland Ltd. The Directors are now looking to recruit the next Forestry Pre-Apprentice for a whole range of outdoor and practical tasks on site.

The Glenkens Rectified Estate Mapping and Land Information Network (‘GREMLIN’) project has interpreted 44 estate maps from the 1800s, using the contents to measure and classify land use in the Glenkens 200 years ago.

On 7th July, twenty guests got a guided tour of Glenlair House, the home of James Clerk Maxwell, and heard from volunteers that have been leading the ‘Building Biographies’ research project, investigating the history of stately homes across Galloway.

After a period of 30 years as an unlicensed premises you can now enjoy a glass of wine or beer at The Smithy New Galloway.

The Loch Ken Trust is holding a Free Family Fun Day on Saturday 22nd July 11am-3pm, focussing on promoting Water Safety Awareness.

Thanks to funding from the Scottish Government's 'Community Led Vision' fund, administered by D&G Council, eleven community buildings in the Glenkens have received detailed assessments of their energy efficiency upgrade options.

The South of Scotland Tree Planting project has just announced a new round of funding, with £120,000 available over the next 12 months to enable community groups, farmers and landowners
to plant around 15,000 landscape trees across the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway.

There is lots on this summer; here is a brief round-up of what’s on in the area.

The ‘Go Wild’ experiences are five-day outdoor summer camps, teaching young people that the great outdoors is accessible to them, often free and lots of fun.

Are you looking for something do in water, on horseback, on foot or in a seated position this summer? The Galloway Glens Scheme has this week published the final summer programme of events.

The Scottish Childminding Association is leading a recruitment drive to train and support new childminders in Glenkens communities.

This project builds on an initial study in 2021 and helps us better understand the challenges being faced by young salmon as they head out to sea. Some cutting edge, nationally significant science taking place right here in Galloway.

The project is led by Galloway Fisheries Trust, supported by a range of partners as detailed in the attached. Many thanks to all. The Galloway Glens Scheme is an initiative of the Council’s Environment Team, primarily funded by a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Event: 31st May, 7.30pm in Kirkcudbright Parish Church Hall

Since 2019, Dr John Burns has been investigating the changing language, voices and words of Galloway. From ‘blether’ to ‘wabbit’, and everything in between! At a public event on 31st May, John will give an overview of the project, talk about the initial findings and what the work has shown.

The developer of Scotland’s largest onshore wind farm currently under construction will be in New Galloway on Thursday 1st June to connect with more local businesses.

Glenkens & District Trust, working in partnership with Foundation Scotland, is delighted to announce a further seven awards in its spring round of funding, with a total sum of £158,966
awarded.