portpatrick :- news & events in & around portpatrick
& south west scotland
Wigtown Book Festival 23 Sept to 2 October
See separate page - why not make Rickwood Portpatrick your accommodation base for the week while visiting Wigtown Book Festival and enjoy the coastal scenery in the Rhins of Galloway, Scotlands most Southerly point.
Lochinch Castle (Castle Kennedy) 4 September
Food festival in association with Savour the Flavours and Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight. Local food & drink tastings and demonstrations, plants etc.
Portpatrick Folk Festival 2-4 September
Friday- ceilidh in Portpatrick Village Hall with Life o Reilly.
Saturday - concert in village hall with Rua MacMillan Trio plus support.
All weekend - sessions in pubs and on harbourside if weather permits. The awesome Tide Machine visits Portpatrick Harbour.
Crown Hotel Portpatrick 26 -27 Aug
26th - Life o Reilly. 27th Dave Lawrence
Stranraer RNLI Park Fest 2011 20 Aug
One day music festival featuring the best in local talent including John Beattie`s Ruckstars, Man at the Window and French Wives plus a fun fair, craft stalls and much more.
Portpatrick RNLI Lifeboat Week 2011 31 July - 6 August
Logan Fish Pond - fun day 30 July
Logan Fish Pond Marine Life Centre are holding a fun day in connection with Marine Conservation Society Clyde Week celebrating Scotland`s amazing coastline. Face painting, talks by guest speakers & staff, watch the fish getting fed and guided tours. Weather dependant.
Lochinch Castle (Castle Kennedy) 3-9 July
Art Fair
Sharkatag 2011 24 - 26 June
watch this space!
Swallow Theatre Isle of Whithorn 18 June
Jess Smith & Sheila Stewart Story-telling, songs and ballads
Swallow Theatre Isle of Whithorn 10 & 11 June
Noel Coward in Words & Song with Dominic Goodwin
Swallow Theatre Isle of Whithorn 5 June
Garden Party 2-5pm
Newton Stewart Cinema 30 May 2011
The Rhos Valley Male Voice Choir in concert
Lochinch Castle (Castle Kennedy) 29 May
Garden & Plant Fair 10am-4pm Plants for sale from local gardens and nurseries. Local food, craft and herb stalls. An illustrated talk, Falconry Display, Bouncy Castle, Cream Teas
Swallow Theatre Isle of Whithorn 28 May
The Wild Myrtles Edinburgh based sextet singing a capella song from around trhe world plus poetry readings.
Bad Reputation, Stranraer 27 May
Excellent local band play classic rock
Portpatrick Farmers Market 15 May
Stair Park Stranraer 15 May
Annual Classic Vehicle Rally
Stranraer Museum April to 21 May
"Or What You Will...." Artists working in a different style or medium.
Featuring works by Pam Carter, Davy Brown, James Harrington & David Martin
Mull of Galloway Lighthouse Abseil 14 May 10am
Abseil down the most southerly lighthouse in Scotland and raise funds for charity.
Swallow Theatre Isle of Whithorn 14 May
Dermot Kearney & Steve Sweeney - traditional music and poetry.
Crown Hotel Portpatrick 14 May
Life o Reilly - live and lively music, traditional and more
Ryan Centre - Stranraer 13 May
Six Black Candles - a Goldfish Theatre Production
Ryan Centre - Stranraer 6 May
Limehouse Lizzy - Thin Lizzy Tribute Band
Swallow Theatre Isle of Whithorn 6 May
Drama - The Man Who Left the Titanic
Wigtown Spring Weekend 30 April & 1 May
Wigtown will play host to authors, story tellers, musicians and artisits over this weekend
Crown Hotel Portpatrrick 1 May
Live music from Transmission
Crown Hotel Portpatrick 22 & 23 April
Life o Reilly in session
(24 April live music frm Transmission)
Dumfries & Galloway Wildlife Festival 2-25 April 2011
This is the 8th and biggest yet Wildlife Festival with over 90 events being held throughout the region.
Crown Hotel Portpatrick 2 April
Local Folk, acoustic, traditional band Life o Reilly are playing. Always a good night!
Swallow Theatre Ravenglass nr Whithorn 20 March 2011
The Life, Poetry and prose of John Clare - at Scotland`s smallest theatre!!
The CatStrand New Galloway 18 March
A "black comedy" called Gagarin Way starring amongst others Dave Anderson (City Lights) and Jimmy Chisholm (High Road) Should be really good!
Crown Hotel Portpatrick 18 March
Excellent local band, the Life O` Reilly live from 9pm
Stranraer Ryan Centre 17 March
We`ll Meet Again - A touring Wartime Cavalcade Show
The Catstrand New Galloway 16 March
Daimh - a fresh take on traditional music
Galloway Music Festival 12 March
Festival Concert in NewtonStewart Cinema 2pm
Stoneykirk near Stranraer 27 Feb
Farmers Market at Stoneykirk, only a few miles from Portpatrick. Local produce, crafts etc. Savour the Flavours of Dumfries & Galloway.
Swallow Theatre Ravenstone Whithorn 26 & 27 February
Mother Goose- a pantomime at Scotland`s Smallest theatre
Stranraer Museum 12 Feb to 12 March
Spring Fling taster exhibition. A chance to enjoy works by artists participating in this poular open studios event.
Stranraer - Ryan Centre 23 Feb 2010
Lets Hang on - a tribute show to the Four Seasons. Part of Dumfries & Galloway Arts Live
Stranraer Town Centre 22 Feb 2010
Castle Square Opening. 9.30 to 11.30 am
After a years work and major investment, the area around the Castle of St John in Stranraer Town Centre opends with Live Music , Entertainment and, within the castle itself, harpists, characters in period costume along with new displays and interactive features
Isle of Whithorn 18-20 Feb
Machars Movies Weekend of Film
A special weekend at Scotlands most southerly cinema including Made in Dagenham, Brassed Off, The Pipe and Tangled. On Sunday afternoon, Stranraer`s Massimo Lisi, owner of L`aperitif presents Massimos Movies, when Massimo will talk about his entusiasm for movies and will include excerpts from various films of the 50s and 60s. He describes it as a very personal Cinema Paradiso.
Crown Hotel in Portpatrick 19 Feb 2011
Life o Reilly - local band- with probability of guest sessions - should be good!
Whithorn Priory Church 12 Feb
Benyounes String quartet. works by Haydn, Ravel & Beethoven
Crown Hotel, Portpatrick 30 January 2011
Life o Reilly - local folk band - from traditional to Van Morrison
Stranraer Museum 16 October - 4 November
Mapping Galloway - A fascinating collection of maps from the 17th century to the modern day which chart Galloway`s changing landscape.
Stranraer Music for All 15 October
Pure Brass. A classical brass quintet perform works by Handel , Mozart & Maxwell Davies.
Ryan Centre, Stranrer 7.30
Mull of Galloway, Gallie Craig 10 October
To celebrate the 6th anniversary of Gallie Craig, Coffee House and visitor Centre on the Mull of Galloway, Scotland`s Land`s End, free birthday cake and 10 percent off all gifts is on offer.
Portpatrick Crown Hotel 9 October
Life o` Reilly @ The Crown Hotel in Portpatrick. 9ish til late Traditional, folk and much more.
Portpatrick Crown Hotel 2 October
The ever popular Life o Reilly @ the Crown Hotel in Portpatrick- 9ish til late!
Swallow Theatre near Whithorn 30 September
Low Pay? Don`t Pay - performance by Belfast`s Bruiser Theatre 2.30pm
Portpatrick Village Hall Craft Fair 26 September
Stranraer Museum 30 September - 9 October
Order of St John - Annual exhibition of paintings. ceramics and sculptures by Galloway artisits. Held to raise funds for local palliative care. All works are for sale.
Wigtown Book Festival 24 September to 3 October
A 10 day literary celebration with Scotland`s National Book Town.
Highlights include:-
24 Sept Ian Rankin
25 Sept Margo MacDonald , Val McDermid
26 Sept Alasdair Gray , Phyllida Law , Allan Massie
27 Sept Irma Kutz , Petrt Stanford
28 Sept Anne Lorne Gillies
29 Sept Anna Paaternak , Jim Crumley, Bladnoch Distillery Session
30 Sept Barbara Trapido , Andy Goram
1 Oct Martin Bell , Poems at Cruggleton Church
2 Oct Barbara Dickson , Sally Magnusson , Iain M Banks , Ronald Frame
3 Oct Charles Jencks , John Byrne , Kathrtn Schultz
Why not stay at Rickwood House B&B, Portpatrick during your visit to Wigtown Book Festival. www.portpatrick.me.uk
Portpatrick Folk Festival - First Weekend in September
Annual folk festival in Portpatrick from Friday 3 September - Sunday 5th. Concerts, sessions and fun all weekend.
Galloway Wood Festival 29 August
At Kirroughtree Visitor Centre, Newton Stewart 10am -4pm
Falconry displays, puppet shows, chain-saw carving.forestry machinery plus various outdoor pursuits. At all Kirroughtree near Newton Stewart , South West Scotland.
Portpatrick Golf Club 28 August
Open Golf Competition at this spectacular golf course near Rickwood B&B
Stranraer RLNI Park Fest 21 August
Music all day in Agnew Park Stranraer in aid of RNLI. Includes The John Beattie Band ( ex Scotland Rugby team) and many others form 12 noon until late. Also fun fair, craft stalls and more.
Portpatrick Farmers Market 22 August
Sales of local produce in Portpatrick Village Hall 1pm-4pm
Portpatrick Dance 21 August
Dance in Portpatrick Village Hall. Live band playing 60`s &70`s music in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support
The Crown Hotel Portpatrick - 14 August
The ever popular Life o Reilly
The Crown Hotel Portpatrick - 13 August
Stranrer`s Jim Hamilton
Meteor Shower above Portpatrick 12 August
From 11pm onwards - weather permitting (free)
Castle Kennedy Gardens near Stranraer host Pride & Prejudice. August 10, 2010
Chapterhouse Theatre present Pride & Prejudice in the gardens at Castle Kennedy by Stranraer. Performance starts at 7pm and the gardens will be open form 5pm for pre-performance picnics
Castle Kennedy & Gardens box office no is 01581 400255. Why not stay at Rickwood Guest House/ B&B in Portpatrick while visiting Castle Kennedy Gardens.
Wigtown Agricultural Show August 4
Something for all ages at this popular annual event in Wigtown
Portpatrick Lifeboat Week August 1-7
Annual Event organised by RNLI includes mock rescues, various events during the week and a bonfire and fireworks on the final night
Sunday 1 - Rib Raid, Service at Harbour - Live Music outside the Crown - Cabaret Dinner (tbc)
Monday 2 - Race night - Kiddies sports
Tuesday 3 - Ladies Golf at Dunskey Golf Club- Fun run - Wheelie Bin Race - Car Treasure Hunt
Wednesday 4 - Mens Golf - Pet Show - Family Quiz - Crown Hotel Music Evening
Thursday 5 - Coffee Morning - Greasy Pole - Fun Putting - Harbour House Hotel Quiz Night
Friday 6 - Sandcastle Competition - Fancy Dress - Raft Race - Dance (Rickwood Guest House are joint sponsors of the Portpatrick Race)
Saturday 7 - Coastguard Cliff Rescue - Combined Exercise - Wheel of Fortune - Balloon Race - BBQ - Bonfire & Fireworks
Stranraer Cattle Show 28 July
Entertainment, food & refreshments as well as livestock
Castle Kennedy Gardens nr Stranraer - Beauty & the Beast July 24
Open - air theatre at Castle Kennedy Gardens presented by Chapterhouse Theatre Company
Portpatrick Farmers Market 18 July
Sales of local produce in Portpatrick Village Hall 1pm - 4pm
Crown Hotel, Potpatrick Harbour July 16 & 17
Jim Hamilton from Stranraer on Friday Night and on Saturday Night, the Life o Reilly
Portpatrick Vintage Truck Rally July 10 & 11
A large number of vintage trucks and other vehicles arrive in Portpatrick on the Saturday afternoon and park overnight in the village. They all leave about 10 am on the Sunday morning which is quite a spectacle! Life o Reilly are also performing at the Crown Hotel in Portpatrick on Saturday evening www.myspace.com/lifeoreillyportpatrick
Crown Hotel, Portpatrick Friday July 2
The ever popular Life o Reilly sing and play music from traditional to Van Morrison and all points in between
Stranraer Museum , Stranraer 26 June - 25 September
A collection of curiosities including witch stones, cat-boiling troughs, plus a peek at some of Wigtownsire`s stranger nooks and crannies.
Crown Hotel Portpatrick Friday 25 & Saturday 26 June
Jim Hamilton, popular guitarist & singer from Stranraer - Friday
Life o Reilly- local band play mainly traditional/folk with a few extras!
Portpatrick Farmers Market 20 June
Local produce in Portpatrick Village Hall 1pm - 4pm
Castle Kennedy Gardens near Stranraer - Teddy Bears Picnic Party June 19
The first Teddy Bear`s Picnic Party to be held at Castle Kennedy gardens near Stranraer. Children bring their favourite Teddy Bear along with a picnic and enjoy all the Teddy Bear Games on offer all day. There will also be a competition.
Portpatrick Junior Golf Festival 12 & 13 June
Crown Hotel Portpatrick 11 June
Walk down to the harbour side and listen to the ever popular Life o Reilly from 9.30pm free
Stranraer Museum 22 May - 19 June
West Fest presents "Global View"
Stranraer half marathon 5 June
Crown Hotel, Portpatrick 4 June
Music with Life o` Reilly. The Crown Hotel in Portpatrick is only is only a few minutes walk from Rickwood House Hotel / B&B
Stranraer Ryan Centre 4 June
Mad about the Musicals - An award winning spectacular voted by many venues last year as on of the best shows in the UK visits Stranraer.
Craft Fair in Portpatrick Village Hall 30 May
Spring Fling 29 - 31 May throughout Dumfries & Galloway
Scotland`s Premier Art & Craft Open Studios Event throughout Dumfries & Galloway. Nearby locations include Portpatrick, Stranraer, Stoneykirk, Port William & Bladnoch, Wigtown
Crown Hotel Portpatrick 29 May
The ever popular Life O` Reilly
Stoneykirk Farmers Market 30 May
Locally sourced goods sold via local businesses to promote what the Rhins of Galloway has to offer. Stoneykirk Village Hall, near Stranraer 11.00 - 2.00
Stranraer Ryan Centre - Scottish Chamber Orchestra with Nicola Benedetti 27 May
Popular violin player from Ayrshire performs Vivaldi with one of Scotland,s top orchestras.
Glenwhan Gardens Dunragit nr Stranraer 16 May
Hog Roast to celebrate Garden`s 30th anniversary
Crown Hotel Portpatrick 14 May
Life O`Reilly 9.30 pm til late
Portpatrick Golf Club 8 May
Annual pro-am competition
Newton Stewart Walking Festival - Walkfest - 7-13 May
Walkfest, the Newton Stewart Walking Festival is the biggest walking festival in the South of Scotland. There are several walks each day, some days as many as 8 and range from moderate through moderate plus, strenuous and very strenuous. There are also evening events to enjoy.
Why not stay with us at Rickwood Guest House in Portpatrick while you are participating in the festival?
Cream o Galloway, Dawn Chorus Walk May 2 4.30am!!
Explore the different habitats of Cream O` Galloway listening to bird song as the birds mark their territories and look for a mate. Then back to the centre for sa light breakfast. Booking essential.
Wigtown Book Weekend 1 May
Wigtown (Scotland`s Book Town) is holding a "mini" book festival on Saturday 1 May.
There will be talks given at various locations in Wigtown, one of the highlights being the prizegiving of the Wigtown Poetry Competition where Liz Lochhead will give a talk and present the prizes.
In the evening, a performance of a play called Mr Darwin`s Tree takes place at the Swallow Theatre near Whithorn. The Swallow theatre is Scotland`s smallest theatre!
Why not make a weekend of it and stay for a few nights at Rickwood Guest House in Portpatrick.
Stoneykirk Farmers Market, 25 April
A wide range of locally sourced foods and crafts on display from 11am in the village hall, Stoneykirk near Stranraer
Stranraer Museum 24 April - 15 May
Spring Fling - a Taster Exhibition
Crown Hotel Portpatrick 24 April
Life O` Reilly 9.30 til late
Swallow Theatre near Whithorn 18 April 3pm
Two Little Pushkin Tales - a colourful & stylish show presenting two folk stories influenced by russian peasant life.
Crown Hotel Portpatrick - Life O` Reilly 10 April
Crown Hotel Portpatrick - Life O`Reilly 3 April
Walk down to the Crown Hotel at Portpatrick seafront to see the ever popular Life o` Reilly perform traditional folk and more contepmorary music from about 9pm until late.
Easter at Kirroughtrie, Galloway Forest Park 4 - 8 April
April 4 -Trails,quizzes.goodie bags,fancy dress competition, games and lots of fun. Bring a decorated egg for the egg rolling competition at 3.15 pm
April 7 - Up with the Lark, not the Grouse. Join the RSPB and Forrestry Commission Scotland for this special event at Loch Doon Car Park near Dalmellington
April 9 - Bats are Great! 6.30 pm at Glentrool Visitor Centre. Look at these stars of the night as they emerge from their daytime roost.
April 13 - Wildlife Recording Day 1.00pm Hunt to find and record as many plants and animals found in and around the park. Meet at Blairmount Car Park, Newton Stewart
Castle Kennedy Gardens - Easter Egg Trail 29 March - 5 April
Castle Kennedy Gardens, near Stranraer are holding an Easter Egg Trail. You follow the clues around the garden to wina large Easter Egg as well as a chance to wn a family ticket to an open-air matinee performance of Beauty & the Beast on Saturday 24 July at Castle Kennedy & Gardens.
Rickwood Guest House / B&B is an ideal base for you to stay whilst visiting Castle Kennedy.
Crown Hotel Portpatrick - Life o Reilly March 27
Excellent local group play a mix of traditional folk with some blues & rock thrown in for good measure.The Crown is within easy walking distance from rickwood (even on the way back!!)
March 2010 - All about Wild Geese
Wild Goose Chase takes place throughout March this year.This is a series of events organised by Dumfries & Galloway Council along with the National Trust for Scotland, RSPB, WWT & Castle Kennedy & Gardens.
14 March is an open day at Castle Kennedy Gardens run in association with Wild Goose Chase and is described as a Fun Day Out for All the Family. Good news is it`s free!!
21 March sees an event at Wigtown Bay Local Nature Reserve (LNR) This is a Wild Goose Chase Day with goose watching and activities throughout the day. This is also free!
Saturdays 20 & 27 March - Wigtown Bay LNR- Gaggle of Geese Dusk Walk. Free Celebrate sunset with the geese in the spectacular surroundings of Wigtown Bay. 5.30 - 7.30 pm
Sundays 21 & 28 March, 7.00 am. Wigtown Bay LNR Gaggle of Geese Dawn Walk Free. Celebrate sunrise with the geese in Wigtown Bay
B&B in Portpatrick Scotland