Glenkens News
Upper Urr Environmental Trust signs milestone agreement with Foresight Sustainable Forest Company
Upper Urr Environmental Trust (UUET) have signed a community lease agreement with Foresight Sustainable Forestry Company (FSF), FSF’s first charitable community collaboration since launching in 2021.
A volunteer-led study of Galloway’s Stately Homes is published, marking the end of the ‘Can You Dig It’ Community Archaeology Project
The ‘Can You Dig It’ community archaeology project – part of the Galloway Glens Scheme – has worked with hundreds of volunteers over the last 4 years to inspire and understand the archaeology and history of the Ken/Dee valley in Galloway – showcasing archaeological processes and approaches.
Carsphairn SWI Meeting Report -21st September 2023
Dorothy welcomed everyone to the first meeting after the summer break.
Carsphairn Community Market fundraising success
Carsphairn Community Council and Bairn Banter held an enjoyable community market in Lagwyne Hall on Saturday 16th September as part of Glens Food Month.
Galloway Glens Scheme completion event planned
A completion event for the Galloway Glens scheme is planned for 26th September, 2.30-4pm in Castle Douglas Town Hall, open to all.
Appeal for help with Alzheimer Scotland fundraising event
Organisers of an Alzheimer and Dementia Fundraiser on behalf of Alzheimer Scotland (SCO22315) are looking for donations of raffle prizes and volunteer drivers for the event.
‘Opening Doors’ report, exploring how to support employability for young people in Dumfries and Galloway, is published
Dumfries and Galloway Local Employability and Skills Partnership (DGLEP) and The Galloway Glens Scheme have launched a report which will help employability services to support young people and their employers in the region.
Care About Loch Ken?
With recent exciting developments, The Loch Ken Trust is seeking extra support from the community to make their future plans the best they can be.
Energy Efficiency reports published
Two useful reports into the energy efficiency of our Galloway buildings have been published by the Glenkens Community and Arts Trust (GCAT).
Five Heritage Hubs assemble for a mega-Saturday celebrating Galloway’s past
Saturday 16th September is a special day for anyone interested in the local heritage and history of Galloway, with five heritage offerings in the Ken/Dee valley coming together to celebrate a community-led approach to local history and records.
Using Historic Maps to travel through ecological time
This event on 18th September, delivered in partnership between the Galloway Glens Scheme and Dumfries Archival Mapping Project (DAMP), explores what pre-ordnance survey maps can tell us about what habitats used to be where and when, using four expert speakers to consider ‘Woodlands’, ‘Bogs’, Moths’ and ‘Meadows’ in Galloway in the 1700s.
The Great Corsock Show Sets new records
Saturday 26th August was the day of the Great Corsock Show, with exhibitors and visitors coming from far and wide to attend a vital feature in the Stewartry’s event calendar.
Palpable level of excitement ahead of the Great Corsock Show
The Great Corsock Show is coming! On Saturday, 26th of August, this much-loved Stewartry tradition will allow the great and the good of home baking, crafting, scarecrow fashioning, vegetable growing and homemade drink brewing to pit their skills against each other.
New South of Scotland Responsible Tourism Strategy consultation
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.
Community Action Plan Steering Group publishes update
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.
Search underway for the new Muirdrochwood Forestry Pre-Apprentice
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.
Historic maps reveal land use changes in the Glenkens
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.
Glenlair House hosts a tour and discussion of findings from the ‘Building Biographies’ Project.
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.
The Smithy now licensed to serve alcohol
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.

