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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.

New Stall Galloway Sweets & Treats

Delighted to announce another stall holder at the Scottish Highland dancing event at Minnigaff Park on Saturday 7th July 2018 - Galloway Sweets & Treats will be joining traders available all day at the park along with the dancers, pipes, children's entertainment, catering and more!  

26 Jun 18
Nathon Jones

New Sponsor - Hair NV

Huge thanks to Donna McWhir and everyone at Hair NV who we welcome as festival sponsors/partners this year. Hair NV Hairdressing Salon is Dumfries & Galloway's destination salon offering a range of professional services.  

26 Jun 18
Nathon Jones

Highland Dancing Competition

This year's Scottish Highland Dancing competition is open for entries and will welcome dancers to Minnigaff Park on Saturday 7th July from 10:30am to compete in 5 sections - Primary, Beginners, Novice, Intermediate and Premier - accompanied by acclaimed Scottish piper Andrew McCowan.  

26 Jun 18
Nathon Jones

New Stall - Bine Designs

Delighted to announce another stall holder at the Scottish Highland dancing event at Minnigaff Park on Saturday 7th July 2018 - Janice McGhie & Bine Designs will be joining traders available all day at the park along with the dancers, pipes, children's entertainment, catering and more!  

25 Jun 18
Nathon Jones

Festival live on Folk and Stuff

Don't miss the festival's feature on this evening's Folk and Stuff radio show on Alive Radio 107.3fm from 9:00pm - 11:00pm which, as well as tunes and songs from the artists appearing at this year's festival, also features live performances from the festival association band.  

12 Jun 18
Nathon Jones

Festival on BBC Radio Ulster

Unbelievable support from the wonderful Lynette Fay and everyone involved in the Folk Club show on BBC Radio Ulster. We were delighted to featured on this week's show which you can listen to for the next 30 days online. Delighted that Lynette also featured our favourite Kim Carnie song! Yay!  

11 Jun 18
Nathon Jones

Festival trailer at the Cinema

Now showing at the best community cinema in Scotland, we'd like to say a huge thank you to Newton Stewart Cinema for running the festival promotional film as one of their trailers throughout June/July. We got a sneak peak this morning and it's brilliant seeing it on the big screen. Wow!  

8 Jun 18
Nathon Jones

Shout out for stall holders

Are you an artist, crafter, gardener, trader or local produce maker? We're offering a wonderful opportunity to grab one of the 14 market stalls available to hire at this year's Scottish Highland dancing competition event at Minnigaff Park on Saturday 7th July from 10:30am - 4:30pm.  

7 Jun 18
Nathon Jones

Save BIG with a Weekend Pass

Wow, it's less than a month until we welcome you all again to the concerts, workshops, tune and song sessions, highland dancing, pipes...it's a packed programme again and rightly so for it's our 5th anniversary! Grab a weekend pass and save up to £30.50 per person this year.  

7 Jun 18
Nathon Jones

Live music at the Galloway Bar

We're back on the road again this weekend raising money for the festival with some live music at Newton Stewart's best wee bar and restaurant, the Galloway Bar, on Friday 1st June 2018 from 8:30pm. There'll be tunes, songs, all the usual shenanigoats and discount vouchers for festival tickets!  

29 May 18
Nathon Jones

The Barrstools @ Crafty Distillery

Join fabulous South Ayrshire group The Barrstools at Crafty Distillery, Newton Stewart, on Saturday 7th July 2018 from 6:00pm as part of this year's festival programme. Superb local gin, good tunes, good songs and the best of craic' - the perfect way to start your Saturday night festival.  

25 May 18
Nathon Jones

New Sponsor - Merrick Group

Fantastic support from Mark Norris and everyone at Merrick Group who we welcome as the first Highland Dancing Ambassadors for this year's festival. The Scottish Highland Dancing competitions take place on the Saturday of the festival, the 7th July, and will feature over 150 dancers aged from 5-25+.  

17 May 18
Billie Jones

Trad Music Trust

The 10th annual Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival takes place over the 12th-14th July 2024. 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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Commercial Sponsors:
  • Five Kingdoms Brewery Logo
  • Crafty Distillery Logo
  • WEST Brewery Logo
Funded by:
  • Dumfries & Galloway Council Logo
  • The Holywood Trust Logo