The Fire Pit – Storytelling Corner

The Coo! – The Salty Coo Poem and History

The Small Tents – Activities

The Boats – Race and Boat Information

The Musicians – The Stage For Music And Poetry

The Seagull Island – Wildlife and Nature Information

The Camera’s Eye – Virtual Reality and Drone Footage

Artist – Art Gallery

Information Zone

The Origins of Nithraid Festival

Nithraid River Festival is traditionally a single day Celebration of the River Nith and provides an opportunity and platform to bring (different) communities, groups and partners together for celebration, collaboration, participation, learning and sharing. Nithraid started in 2013 and 2020 will be our 8th year of running the festival. This originally started as a sailboat race from Carsethorn to Dumfries town centre but has now expanded to be part of the Scottish Coastal Rowing’s calendar of races. At the finish line of the race at The Mill Green in Dumfries we build a festival village where we attract individuals and families from all over the region to the river banks. The village contains free activities that the audience can interact with that are based around our core themes of Community, Environment, Education and Creation. The festival helps celebrate the heritage of Dumfries as a trading town while exploring what the river means to us in the present day.

Where We are Now

Due to the impact of COVID 19, for Nithraid 2020 we have had to recognise that a single day event and physical gathering is not possible. Over the last 5 months we have seen the increased Importance of the River in people’s everyday lives and how it has contributed to their well-being. We have redesigned this year’s festival to encompass this Virtual Activity site and our Nithraid: Source to Sea project.

It explores Heritage, Art, Environment and Communities from the very beginning of the river Nith down to it end in the Solway Firth.

The Stove Network

The Stove Network is an arts-led community organisation based in Dumfries. Our aims include the support and promotion of diverse and inclusive cultural activity including drama, dance, digital media, heritage, music, literature, poetry, painting, film-making, photography and sculpture. Our vision is to expand and support contemporary cultural activity in South West Scotland for the wider benefit of our community. We have a permanent premise at 100 High Street with a The Stove Cafe as our main base of activity and regular program of events that are accessible to all.

You can find out what other projects are happening at the Stove at thestove.org/projects

Check Out Source to Sea:

Nithraid 2020 is kindly supported by: