The Arts & Literature
Dumfries & Galloway Spring Fling 2026
Over a three-day weekend in May, Spring Fling is Scotland’s Premier Art and Craft Open Studios Event taking place right across Dumfries & Galloway. In 2026 some 111 artists will participate, including those specialising in handcrafted objects, contemporary design, and traditional crafts. This year features more studios than ever before, with a vibrant mix of returning favourites and artists taking part for the first time.
Wigtown Booktown & Festival
Situated in the scenic Machars peninsula, the historic town of Wigtown was officially designated as Scotland’s National Book Town in 1998. It has since become home to a wide range of book-related businesses, and is a veritable book lovers haven. The annual Wigtown Book Festival offers approximately 200 events for adults, children and young people including literature, music, film, theatre, arts and crafts. The festival takes place for ten days each autumn and has welcomed speakers of international renown – and in addition has a shorter version in the Spring Fling programme during May. More details of the 2026 event will be posted via the second link below when available. (image: ‘The Bookshop’, the largest of over a dozen in Wigtown).
Arts D&G and Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival
Scotland’s largest rural performing arts festival and year-round touring organisation. The stated purpose of Arts D&G is its role in: ‘Nurturing the work of Dumfries & Galloway-based performing arts practitioners’ as a ‘fundamentally important element of our year-round planning and delivery.’ Since 1979 the Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival has been the bedrock of the organisation’s identity and activities, with this year’s event taking place from 21st May – 14th June.
Kirkcudbright Galleries
A regional art gallery of national significance, Kirkcudbright Galleries is contained within a former Victorian-era town hall. Its redesigned interior hosts a permanent display on the Kirkcudbright Artists, including works by John Faed, Robert Sivell, Edward Atkinson Hornel, Jessie Marion King and Samuel John Peploe. The Galleries also houses a range of temporary exhibitions throughout the year of historic and contemporary works lent by other art venues and private collections, plus features workshops, talks, and occasional children’s activities. Open all year (reduced hours in winter – check link for details), café, shop. Admission free, though occasional charge for major temporary exhibitions. (image shown from Mary Queen of Scots temporary exhibition in 2024: credit Kirkcudbright Galleries).
Creative Arts Centres
Featuring here three venues which offer courses and workshops for all levels, plus host exhibitions, throughout the year. The historic Shambellie House just outside New Abbey (pictured) describes itself as ‘a creative centre for arts, heritage and environmental courses, workshops and events.’ Meanwhile in Dumfries, both the Art Room (‘Within the Old School’) and the Clay Works Studios fulfil similar roles in serving the region’s artistic community and wider population (and of course visitors) – with the Art Room moreover containing a café and gift shop and regularly running children’s courses.
Kirkcudbright Tolbooth and Art Gallery
This beautiful building was originally built around 1625-1629 as Kirkcudbright’s Tolbooth, when it was used as a Town Council meeting place and office, Burgh and Sheriff Court, and prison. One of the most famous prisoners was Captain John Paul, later known as John Paul Jones, hero of the American Navy. The grade A listed building retains many of the original features inside and outside including original stonework and doorways, the clocktower, the cell gate-hinges and a set of jougs (or a prisoner’s metal collar) fixed to the outside wall. In modern times it is famous as a location for the filming of the cult classic ‘The Wicker Man’. The top floor tells the story of the Tolbooth itself, the first floor offers a gallery showing a range of contemporary art and craft exhibitions by local artists, and a new shop with a range of gifts and art supplies has been opened on the ground floor. Open all year, admission free. (image: old postcard).
Broughton House & Garden (Kirkcudbright)
Broughton House & Garden stands in the heart of Kirkcudbright, a historic town and artists’ colony on the Galloway coast. This impressive museum, combining both original interiors and exhibition spaces, is dedicated to E A Hornel’s life and work as an artist and antiquarian. Hornel was a colourist with an eye for sensual detail – many of his works hang in the house alongside those of his contemporaries. He was also an avid collector: his vast library and archive – regularly used by visiting scholars – includes one of the world’s largest collections of works by Robert Burns as well as rare documents on Galloway’s rich history. Outside, Hornel and his sister designed a beautiful garden, with sweeping views over Kirkcudbright harbour and the River Dee. This mature garden is now a gentle labyrinth of stepping stones, wisteria-covered paths and Edwardian charm. Broughton House & Garden is maintained by the National Trust for Scotland, admission charge, open April to October. (text and image credit: NTS).
