New Festival of Folklore to launch in autumn

A new festival focusing on Scotland's myths, legends and dark history will launch in Upper Nithsdale in the autumn.

Award-winning tour creators and guides, Mostly Ghostly are behind the Festival of Folklore, which will run from 27-29 September 2019. The festival will feature storytelling, art, tours and trails with festival locations including Crawick Multiverse, A’ the Airts, Wanlockhead Museum of Lead Mining, the dramatic Kirkconnel hills and historic streets of Sanquhar. 

Mostly Ghostly have been working closely with the Upper Nithsdale Tourism Partnership for over a year to explore ways to support community led tourism development. Inspired by the area’s stunning natural beauty and colourful tapestry of history and legends, the team see great potential for a new festival experience.

Team and Festival Founder Kathleen Cronie said:

"We’re delighted to be collaborating with colleagues from the Upper Nithsdale Tourism Partnership on the inaugural Festival of Folklore. The area boasts a relatively undiscovered ‘mythical landscape’ steeped in history, heritage, myth and magic. Coupled with vibrant and welcoming communities, we felt this area would be the perfect location for our new Festival.

“We aim to start small, with a view to growing the Festival in years to come: our vision is that the Festival of Folklore will become a destination event in the region’s colourful and eclectic festival calendar, building a dedicated following and attracting new people to discover the delights of Dumfries & Galloway. This is an excellent opportunity for innovation, nurturing local passion and knowledge, and bringing communities together, and in doing so, helping to boost the local economy."

Partnership working is a top priority for Mostly Ghostly and the team are thrilled with the support received so far.

Team Member and Festival Co-Founder John Hill said:

"We’ve met some wonderfully encouraging people in the past year or so, all doing their utmost to shine a positive spotlight on the area. Kind offers of help have come in from individuals, community groups, businesses and attractions, keen to support the Festival. We appreciate the advice and suggestions given, from offers to take part in and host events to ways of promoting it, and are delighted with the overwhelming positivity that’s come our way. This has helped to lay strong foundations from which we hope the Festival will flourish."

Rose Murdoch, Chair of the Upper Nithsdale Tourism Partnership, said:

"The Upper Nithsdale Tourism Partnership is delighted to be working with Mostly Ghostly to deliver this unique and exciting Festival of Folklore in Upper Nithsdale - a Festival that will allow visitors to the area an opportunity to learn about the rich heritage, history and culture of the area through a variety of different media, from storytelling, walks, tours and art.

"Upper Nithsdale has so much to offer visitors to the area yet we are still the “hidden gem” in Scotland. We hope that this Festival of Folklore will enable us to showcase and share our natural assets, compelling history and proud heritage to visitors to the area, and for them to discover, experience and enjoy all that we have to offer."

Tickets will be available from the Midsteeple Box Office in Dumfries, A’ The Airts in Sanquhar and online at Ticketsource.

Full programme details and information about the Festival of Folklore will be published soon at www.facebook.com/festivaloffolklore.

You can also follow @MostlyGhostly_ on Twitter and @mostlyghostlytours on Instagram.