HISTORIC TOURISM IN GALLOWAY
Galloway is littered with Historic Castles just waiting to be explored. Four such castles are, MacLellan’s in Kirkcudbright, Carsluith Castle outside Creeton, Cardoness on the Outskirts of Gatehouse of Fleet, and Orchardton Tower near Palnackie.
Just outside The sleepy village of Palnackie, Stand's Orchadton Tower. Built in the mid-1400's by John Cairns, a minor local lord loyal to the Stewart Kings and the local Earls of Douglas. The tower is considered unusual due to being round a style 200 years out of date at the time of construction.
Maclellan's Casstle was built in the 1500's by Sir Thomas MacLellan of Bombie, Provost of Kirkcudbright. The castle was allowed to go to ruin by his descendants in the 1740's. The Castle stands in the centre of Kirkcudbright a historic royal burgh and Dumfries & Galloway's Art town.
At the top of a hill overlooking the Solway the ruins of Carsluith Castle stand guarding the entrance to Wigtownshire. Built in the late 1400's by the lawless McCullochs, one of whom famously stole 1500 head of livestock from his own mother.
Carsluith Castle built on The Wigtownshire cost was constructed by the Brouns family. There is some evidence that they built upon an existing structure but the evidence is unclear. The last abbot of Sweetheart Abby, Gilbert Broun was possibly born here. When the reformation began he continued to he fortified the abby and continued to hold Masses, until his house was raided by government forces and he was forced into exile in Paris for the rest of his life.
Orchardton Tower, NR. Palnackie
MacLellan’s Castle, Kirkcudbright
Cardoness Castle, Gatehouse of Fleet
Carsluith Castle, NR. Creeton
PERSONAL TRAINER: JORDAN GRAHAM.
Jordan works as a personal trainer out of Qfitness Gym at The Queen of the South Arena in Dumfries. Jordan offers a couple of different group classes a week, catering to different skill levels and fitness goals. Alongside his work as a PT Jordan is working towards his HND in Sports and Fitness and after the summer will be taking a place at Abertay University in Dundee.
THE UMBRELLA SESSIONS 06/02/2020
The Umbrella Sessions are a series of gigs taking place across Glasgow on an ongoing basis. The first of which was last Friday at The Old Hairdressers in Renfield Lane. There where three musical acts Hevonfilm (making her excellent debuted performance), Followed by the talented Jess Allardice's set which kept the crowd enraptured throughout. Headlining where Kubitaru a band that is quickly building a serious name for itself on the Glasgow music scene. The band began their set by getting the audience to sit down which created a unique and more intimate atmosphere. Their set was slightly stripped back as their drummer was unable to attend but no less captivating for the absence. They also preformed several new songs which were very well received by the audience.
Kubitaru retuning between songs.
Kubitaru's lead singer Hannah Findlay.
Jess Allardice singing in her own words, "something almost cheerful."
Jess Allardice performing Sunday Blue.
Hevonfilm kicking off the Session with her debuted solo performance.
Hevonfilm making a quick adjustment between songs.
LOCAL MUSICIAN ON THE NATIONAL STAGE
Joe Hodson is a Professional violinist from Parton outside Castle Douglas. He started playing violin at a very young age. Joe went on to attend The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow. From there he has played in orchestras and bands all over the world.
Currently Joe is involved with several different bands and organisations, as well as teaching violin himself. His next performance will be playing a gig with the Fyrish String Quartet in Lochgilphead on January 25th. From there he is back to touring with the Scottish Ballet and their performance of the Snow Queen. Which will be in Inverness' Eden Court Theatre between January 29th and February 1st, and Newcastle's Theatre Royal between the 5th of February and the 12th. Following on from there Joe is jumping across the Irish sea to Belfast to perform Dvorak Symphony no.6 with Ulster Orchestra on 28th of February.
Joe Hodson outside The Piping Centre Glasgow ahead of a recent performance of "The Snow Queen" by the Scottish Ballet.
2019 DECEMBER GENERAL ELECTION
One of the most important general elections possibly ever was held on Thursday 12th of December 2019. With the decision of the public having a major effect on the course of brexit and possibly the union. Here in Scotland turnout was up by almost 3% compared to the last election in 2017. Overall the pro-brexit Conservative Party won an outright majority in England and Wales and control of the parliament. However in Scotland and Northern Ireland, Pro-EU parties the SNP and Sinn Féin won the most seats. Labour however lost many seats including some it had held for decades.
GLASGOW INDEPENDENCE RALLY 02/11/19
On Saturday the 2nd of November Pro independence demonstrators gathered in George Square in Glasgow for an Independence rally. Demonstrators of all ages wore costumes, wrapped themselves in flags and chanted slogans. There were several speakers including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon who gave an impassioned speech to close the event. Not everyone in attendance was pro independence however towards the back of the square a small yet vocal counter demonstration of pro unionists made themselves known.
Pro-independence demonstrators dressing up as iconic scottish characters Jack and Victor from TV show still game. Saturday 2nd Novembre 2019. © Ruaridh Hex
Demonstrators gathering in George Square, Glasgow to hear First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speak at a Scottish independence rally. Demostators waved flags and cheered enthusiastically throughout. Sat. 2nd Nov. 2019. ©Ruaridh Hex
Pro independence Demonstrators young and old listening to the first ministers address. Sat. 2nd Nov. 2019. ©Ruaridh Hex
Pro Union counter protestors at the back of george square making their presence felt with sirens and chats. Sat. 2nd Nov. 2019. ©Ruaridh Hex
STRIKE FOR CLIMATE 20/09/2019
Across the world on Friday 20th school students across the country and the world went on strike from school. They instead took to the streets to protest climate change and demand action from the political leaders of the world to take action to prevent further destruction of the environment. At the local demonstration in Kirkcudbright students from the academy as well as local primary schools came together in the harbour square to demonstrate. They were joined by members of the Stewartry Climate Group (SCG).
Councilor Dougie Campbell gave a speech in support of the strike and stated he would work to move the council in a greener direction. Following this the head girl and other students from the Academy gave short speeches about the importance of the strike and encouraged those in attendance to embrace greener methods into their lives.
Cate Goss from the SCG also addressed the crowd asking for the demonstrators to leave their banners so they could be taken to a larger demonstration in London next month to show the support for the cause from the region. Ms Goss also asked for anyone willing to, to come to Castle Douglas to lobby Alister Jack MP, who had failed to respond to an invite to attend the strike, outside his surgery.
Following his surgery Mr Jack spent a short time talking to protestors about their concerns outside of Castle Douglas Town Hall.
Kirkcudbright Academy Students on strike in Kirkcudbright.
Kate Goss addressing the crowd in Kirkcudbright.
Gathered protestors at the harbour square in Kirkcudbright.
Councilor Dougie Campbell delivering a speech about climate change in the Harbour Square.
Alister Jack MP talking to protestors outside his surgery in Castle Douglas.
D&G COLLEGE BUSINESS EVENT 18/09/2019
On Wednesday 18 Septembre the Dumfries Campus of the Dumfries and Galloway College held an event for business leaders from across the region. As part of the event guests where given a guided tour of new areas of the college which are currently being built. Guests were welcomed at Zest the college's training restaurant before being given a tour of the college's new facilities currently under construction. During the tour guests such as Cathy Mitchel (top right) and Kenny Bowie (bottom right) received talks from Chair of the Board, Brian Johnstone (top left) and Vice Principal Andy Glen (top right) about the new technology being used to connect campuses and businesses across the region. Following this guests then received a short talk from Julia MacDonald (bottom left) one of the college's curriculum managers about the new state of the art home care training facilities. Guests were then shown the engineering department where they had the chance to meet and talk to the students.
Chair of the Board, Brian Johnstone talking to guests as part of their tour of new college facilities.
Vice Principal Andy Glen with guest Cathy Mitchel
curriculum manager Julia MacDonald discussing the new assisted living training facilities
