For the last few months I’ve been working with Jo from the CatStrand and Andy Kaye, of the YouTube channel Stravaiging with Andy, on some exciting Cultural Glenkens projects.

Our current Chair is stepping down as her term of office concludes under our Constitution. Do you have a strong commitment to our purposes and the skills and qualities to be our next Chair?

Follow 'Our Glenkens' on social media to catch the latest reels and find out more - with thanks to funding from The Scottish Government’s Climate Engagement Fund.

To further its legacy, the Galloway Glens Scheme is operating a scheme of small maintenance grants to ensure that Galloway Glens funded projects can continue to deliver great outcomes for the communities they serve.

President, Irene McCreath welcomed everyone to the first meeting of 2026.

Following a year of consultation and writing led by New Galloway and Kells Community Council, our draft Local Place Plan is now ready for its final consultation, which will run until Tuesday 24th February 2026.

Following a consultation in 2025, Dumfries and Galloway Council have published the results of the consultation on the proposal to discontinue education at Carsphairn Primary School and Nursery.

On a chilly January evening in Carsphairn, visitors from near and far congregated together in the warm embrace of the beautifully decorated Lagwyne Hall to celebrate the life of our Scottish bard, Robert Burns.

Join the Glenkens Community Spaces Network at Mossdale Village Hall on 17th February for a fascinating presentation on The Winter Sky given by Alistair Scobie, a Trustee of the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory.

The Glenkens & District Trust, working in partnership with Foundation Scotland, has announced an £18,000 award to Glenkens Community Arts Trust to continue supporting the Glenkens Community Spaces Network and The Glenkens Hub throughout 2026.

The Pollinators Project continues into 2026 with a celebration of orchards! Come and join in the Wassail at Dalry Library Micro-Orchard, on 1st February - also traditionally Imbolc marking the end of the winter.

The Glenkens Community Action Plan (CAP), which was published in 2020 following 18 months of engagement work with the community, is to be updated to ensure that it continues to reflect community priorities from 2026 and beyond.

You might have noticed some unusual wooden QR codes appearing on signposts and interpretation boards around the Glenkens. These are part of the 'Participatory Monitoring of Landscape Change' project - a collaboration between Glenkens Community & Arts Trust and Dalry Community Council, supported by NatureScot funding over the past three years.

The Glenkens Pollinators project had the ambitious aim to distribute 130 fruit and nut trees across the Glenkens. The trees were to be planted in community spaces and gardens throughout the area.

On 4th December 2025 members and friends of Carsphairn SWI gathered in Lagwyne Hall to celebrate the Institute’s 90th birthday.

Earlier this year the 520 bus, which ran from Castle Douglas to Dalmellington, changed its route, now finishing in Carsphairn. There is now no bus connection between the Glenkens and East Ayrshire.

The first citizen science training event was held at Dalry Town Hall in October. It started with a presentation from SWSEIC support officer Malcolm Haddow and covered different species and habitats in the Glenkens, what signs to look for and how to accurately record a wildlife sighting.

Employers from a range of sectors active locally, nationally and internationally, as well as organisations linked to local training opportunities, attended an event at Dalry School in September.

The Glenkens and District Community Action Plan (CAP) was published in 2020, after 18 months of community engagement work. In 2023, the Glenkens Land Use Vision was adopted as an addendum to the CAP, in light of the rapid change in the landscapes around us.

On 1st December 2025 Lavinia, Alison, Nancy, Dorothy, Christine and Merle set off to Dalbeattie for the annual Stewartry SWI Christmas Quiz. The venue was Dalbeattie Town Hall and it was absolutely buzzing with chatter and laughter as everyone gathered.