The Stove NetworkAn Arts and Community Organisation
The Stove Network
The Nith is a tidal river that runs through the historic market town of Dumfries, connecting the town to the sea, which in the 18th century saw the town and its neighbouring villages of Glencaple and Kingholm Quay become Scotland’s largest and busiest trading ports.
To celebrate this rich history, we hold an annual River Race, which sees teams of coastal rowers, sailing boats and various person-powered vessels race the river, battling for the best time with each boat carrying a cargo that was traded in those times.
The river’s importance to Dumfries as the region’s largest market town is immortalised in the Nithraid logo. Our festival mascot, ‘Salty Coo’ symbolises the historic journey made by herds of cattle, led by their farmers, across the river at low tide, from Maxwelltown on the west bank to the cattle market at Whitesands on the east side of the river. This historic crossing site now marks the half-way point of the Nithraid River Race.
Nithraid has been going for over 10 years and seen many changes over that time and is in the process of another major transition. Over the next two years Nithraid will become an independent organisation and the event itself, building on the success of this distinctive and unique celebration of the beautiful River Nith, and keeping the river race as its central element, will develop the Mill Green gathering into a creative festival of the natural environment.
Visit the Nithraid webpage here!
Mark Zgadlo: 01387 740285 or mobile: 07759 636534
E: [email protected] or [email protected]