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Festival History

Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival was founded by Nathon Jones and his family in 2014. The idea took shape at one of the regular garden and music parties at their home in Minnigaff in 2013. Frustrated by the lack of traditional music opportunities and arts programming in Wigtownshire, South West Scotland, combined with a desire to engage more people in traditional music learning and performing led to the inaugural event in 2014.

@TradFestival 2022

Two years since the last festival and with the green light, finally, for events to take place, there was a determination to come back strong, and what a fantastic year it was; a brand new marquee venue, The Vault Arts Centre venue and another incredible programme of music & dance events.

@TradFestival 2021

With Covid-19 still a huge concern - the uncertainty of lockdowns, self isolating, illness and with D&G Council's Major Events Strategic Fund withdrawn - it was decided, with heavy hearts, that the festival could not go ahead, proper, in 2021. However, the popular tune and song sessions, utilising the relative safety of the outdoor spaces at The Vault Arts Centre, did go ahead and it was fantastic to be back playing live music with other musicians again.

@TradFestival 2020

After such an incredible event in 2019, everyone was very much looking forward to 2020 however the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic halted everything in its tracks and the event was unable to go ahead. With support from D&G Council's Major Events Strategic Fund, an online version of the festival was created to offer some relief during extremely difficult and worrying times.

@TradFestival 2019

A new solo piping competition, 47 competing Highland dancers, Dougie MacLean OBE, Duncan Chisholm's incredible performance at the McMillan Hall...another outstanding programme of events was met with record attendances and one of the best festivals to date.

@TradFestival 2018

Another year, another name change :) and Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival was ready to celebrate it's 5th anniversary at what was shaping up to be one of the most ambitious events yet. A new programme of official Scottish Highland dancing competitions, running all day on the Saturday, another outstanding musical line-up including the legendary Andy Irvine himself and continued support and backing from D&G Council's Major Events Strategic Fund and The Holywood Trust.

@TradFestival 2017

Now acknowledged as a significant cultural event, of note, in Wigtownshire and the subsequent positive economic impact it was having in the region, funding was secured from D&G Council's Major Events Strategic Fund, Big Lottery's Awards For All and The Galloway Association of Glasgow along with continued and new local and national sponsorship; 2017 delivered 5 concerts, 7 music workshops, 1 language workshop, tune and song sessions, film making and photography workshops and mentoring.

@TradFestival 2016

An award of £3,000 from D&G Council's Regional Arts Fund plus new funding awards from The Holywood Trust and The Galloway Association of Glasgow, combined with continued support from local and national sponsors, helped deliver 5 concerts, 9 traditional music workshops, 1 language workshop, a cinema experience, pipe band and highland dancing performances, tune and song writing competitions, instrument makers, tune and song sessions; it was another packed programme of events over 3 days.

@TradFestival 2015

Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music Festival, as it was now called, secured £2,500 funding from Dumfries & Galloway Council's Regional Arts Fund in 2015 along with new local and national sponsorship and partners. The programme expanded to feature 2 concerts, 6 traditional music workshops, tune & song writing competitions, tune & song sessions and award nominated and award winning, world famous, traditional musicians including the unforgettable Máirtín O'Connor Band.

@TradFestival 2014

The first official Newton Stewart Traditional & Acoustic Music Festival, as it was known then, delivered 4 concerts, 3 traditional music workshops, pipe band performance, tune and song sessions at venues throughout Newton Stewart & Minnigaff over 2 days and featured BBC Radio Scotland's Young Traditional Musician of Year 2014, local singer Robyn Stapleton, as well as the Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of Year 2013, Siobhan Miller, and Scottish duo Ross Couper & Tom Oakes.

@TradFestival 2013

The Jones family are well known for days/nights of music, songs and the craic' and in 2013 we had another fantastic get together with friends, family and neighbours. Frustrated by the lack of traditional music opportunities and arts programming in Wigtownshire, combined with a desire to engage more people in traditional music learning, composing and performing, it was at events like this that the idea to create a music festival began to take shape.

Trad Music Trust

Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary over 11th-13th July 2025. It's an incredible achievement. The charity has created a viable, sustainable, event that continues to grow and develop, proudly celebrating the very best in traditional Scottish, Irish and World music. Make sure you book early for what is shaping up to be the biggest event yet!

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