Scottish Women's Institute (SWI) member Margaret Brown of Carsphairn has been presented with the organisation's Loyalty Award by Mary Burney, the SWI's national president.

What does Outlander's Sam Heughan, a witch and Old Mortality have in common? They have all got links to Balmaclellan; not bad for somewhere with a population of around 130 people! When I heard about the witch I had to find out more...

The new D&G Climate Hub has been off to a busy start since its November 2023 launch. This is a Scottish Government funded initiative hosted by the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere. Climate officer Sarah Thomas is covering Wigtownshire and Stewartry supporting community climate action, while Annandale & Eskdale and Nithsdale is covered by climate officer Steven Clark.

Groups across the Glenkens have been hard at work to turn the Glenkens Land Use Vision into reality.

The Ken Bridge Hotel changed ownership in September from that of long-time proprietors who we wish well in their retirement. New owners are Alistair and Tatiana Elder who will be helped by their two sons, Leo and Owen

It’s 6:30am and, armed with my tow float, I take a deep breath and plunge into the ice cold loch. Frost twinkles as the water laps all around as I swim. I feel clarity and calm. It’s stunning, so peaceful, yet 100% invigorating.

Looking for an adventure in 2024? Why not join the fantastic team of drivers at Galloway Community Transport!

There has been a lot of creativity at the Glenkens Youth Group over the past few months. The members often choose to paint or draw, and they are a very talented group. The space is always filled with music, with their own playlist setting the scene. An informal sing-a-long is a common occurrence!

The festive season was made even more enchanting for children in the Glenkens in 2023, thanks to a Christmas Wonderland event at the CatStrand in December.

What’s all the Hubbub? Have you heard? There is a lot going on at New Galloway Town Hall lately.

Perhaps it feels like you’re hearing a lot about menopause these days with celebrities making TV programmes about it and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) shortages making the news.

I can hardly believe we are over halfway through The Together in the Glenkens project! I would like to thank all our deliverers who continue to make all the activities so vibrant and highly beneficial, and of course our attendees, who we hope are benefitting from the programme.

When we pop into New Galloway Community Shop, we know that we will be greeted with a friendly smile from the hard-working shop team.

This year the World Day of Prayer service will be hosted by St Margaret's New Galloway, on Friday 1 March at 2pm. Those taking part will be drawn from all the churches in the Glenkens and the service is open to everyone.

Joining Cubs in January we have Pippin, Hannah’s daughter, who is an inspiration before she comes to the door.

For many years, St Margaret's church in New Galloway have dedicated their collections at Christmas to a charity chosen by the congregation.

A review by Andrew Mellor of the book The Covenanters of the Glenkens by David S Bartholomew.

Just over forty years ago, a helicopter crashed on Mid Standard Hill near Balmaclellan.

A review by Mike Brown of the book Northern Lights: The Arctic Scots by Ted Cowan.

This issue’s winner is Susan Currie from Dalry with this beautiful snap of a fly agaric mushroom.