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Latest Festival News


All the latest festival news as well as news and updates from the traditional music scene in Dumfries & Galloway including concerts, workshops, artist updates, new music releases, music reviews and more. We'll also be featuring news and views from some of our favourite traditional music artists and traditional music news from around the world.

Table Top Sale Raises £145.91

Last Sunday's table top sale at the McMillan Hall, whilst it wasn't particularly busy, raised £145.91 for The Vault Arts Centre fundraising campaign taking the overall total to £1,705.20. Huge thanks to everyone who took a table and to everyone who came along to support the event.  

9 Apr 19
Nathon Jones

Duathlon For The Airts

Just over a month to go until Festival Director Nathon Jones taks tae the hills on Sunday 12th May 2019 for the Galloway Hillbillies Kirroughtree Hillbilly Duathlon to raise funds for The Vault Arts Centre but he still needs your help to reach his fundraising target of £500.00.  

5 Apr 19
Billie Jones

Arts Centre Fundraising Reaches 10%

Thanks to the wonderful generosity and support shown by local businesses and the local community, we are very pleased to announce that we have just reached 10% of our fundraising target for the proposed new arts centre in Newton Stewart with the total now standing at £1,509.29.  

5 Apr 19
Nathon Jones

Rose Byers @TradFestival 2019

We are delighted to be welcoming local singer Rose Byers to the festival this year. Rose will be opening the Saturday night concert at the McMillan Hall, Newton Stewart, on 13th July 2019 which also features Duncan Chisholm and Rachel Hair & Ron Jappy.  

2 Apr 19
Nathon Jones

Aaron & Nathon Jones Live

Join our Festival Director and his twin brother Aaron Jones at Broughton House and Garden, Kirkcudbright, this Saturday 30th March from 7:30pm for a live concert featuring a selection of tunes and songs from the brother's forthcoming debut album.  

26 Mar 19
Billie Jones

Table Top Sale in Aid of The Vault

Trad Music Trust will host a Table Top Sale at the McMillan Hall, Newton Stewart, on Sunday 7th April 2019 from 12noon-3:00pm to help raise funds for The Vault Arts Centre. Tables are still available at £10.00 per table. Early booking advised.  

23 Mar 19
Nathon Jones

Five Kingdoms Brewery Sponsors 2019

We are thrilled to announce a new partnership this year with the wonderful Five Kingdoms Brewery, a microbrewery located in the beautiful Isle of Whithorn, who produce a range of distinctly individual beers using whole hops, quality malts and fresh local water.  

15 Mar 19
Billie Jones

Hohner Two Row Melodeon For Sale

We were absolutely bowled over this week to receive not one but three musical instrument donations to support the fundraising campaign for The Vault Arts Centre from the outstanding luthier David Mann at Hexham Violins; the star being this beautiful Hohner Pokerwork Two Row D/G Melodeon.  

13 Mar 19
Nathon Jones

Duncan Chisholm @TradFestival

We are absolutely thrilled to announce the headline act for the Saturday night concert at this year's Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival; one of Scotland’s most recognised and accomplished fiddle players and composers, the fabulous Duncan Chisholm.  

1 Mar 19
Nathon Jones

Knackerin' his'sel fir the airts...

Project Co-ordinator and Festival Director Nathon Jones will be taking to the Galloway Forest Park this coming May to run/cycle in the Galloway Hillbillies Kirroughtree Hillbilly Duathlon, a 10km run and 18km mountain bike, to raise funds for The Vault Arts Centre and annual music & dance festival.  

26 Feb 19
Billie Jones

Rockers raise £367.67

A fantastic turnout at the Belted Galloway on 23rd February saw a total of £367.67 raised for the proposed new arts centre in Newton Stewart. Huge thanks to The Dynamite Kings and Bad Reputation for the superb live music and to Darren, Calum and The Belted Galloway for making it all happen.  

25 Feb 19
Nathon Jones

Baillie Gifford Sponsors in 2019

We are delighted to announce a brand new partnership between Trad Music Trust and the wonderful Baillie Gifford who have come on board as official sponsors in 2019, supporting Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival and the work of Trad Music Trust.  

22 Feb 19
Nathon Jones

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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