Local News
Man to stand trial accused of smuggling 14 Albanians into Scotland in lorry at ferry terminal
Patrick John McKinney allegedly transported over a dozen people within a compartment of an open-sided lorry
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Fire crews called to more than 40 vape-related blazes across Scotland in last five years
The scale of vape related fires across Scotland has been revealed for the first time with fire chiefs saying the figures may be higher than reported.
Social enterprise relocates headquarters to West Lothian
Since being founded in 2022, the Ootsider’s hand-made outdoor coats and changing robes have been popular with the likes of wild swimmers, hill walkers, campers and equestrian enthusiasts.
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History town secure more funds
ANNAN’S History Town group are in line to share just over £600,000 in coastal benefit funding. The group is one of 30 projects from across the region receiving a much-welcome cash boost, with their share at £3105 for the Past and Present project. Councillors on the education committee this week ...
Landowner fights to save ‘countryside cabin’
A SANQUHAR landowner is fighting to save a countryside cabin after planning officials rejected his application for retrospective permission for the second time. Tony Campbell has lodged an appeal with Dumfries and Galloway Council’s local review body after planning officers refused his bid to reta...
Man charged with money laundering
A MAN has been arrested and charged following a significant cash seizure near Lockerbie. At about 8.30 pm last Friday, police stopped a Peugeot car travelling southbound on the A74(M). A search of the vehicle was carried out and £85,000 was seized. A 32-year-old man was arrested and charged in conn...
Ride out dates revealed
DATES for the rideouts for Dumfries’ Riding of the Marches have been announced. The first ride out ahead of Guid Nychburris celebrations in June will take place on Friday May 22, leaving Huntington Market from 6.30 pm. Thereafter the rideouts will take place on the following dates: Netherwood Farm...
Dads on a mission stop off in Annandale
TWO grieving fathers passed through Annandale this week on their journey to Lands End, to raise funds for suicide prevention. John Bell and Graham Lynk began their journey from John O’ Groats on April 17, aiming to walk 960 miles in 48 days all to raise awareness of mental health and suicide preve...
Second group for popular choir
DUMFRIES Community Choir is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, and is launching a second performance choir. What began as a simple idea, to create a space where anyone could sing, has grown and continues to bring people together through music, friendship, and shared experience. Today, over ...
Racing driver in second attempt at planning
RACE ace David Coulthard MBE is pitting for retrospective planning permission for a steading conversion at Twynholm — for the second time. He has reapplied to Dumfries and Galloway Council for approval for the work on the building, which is located in the grounds of Barwhinnock House, and which wa...
May lecture will be surreal
A LECTURE on the Surrealist movement will take place in Dumfries this week. It is presented by The Arts Society Dumfries and Galloway and will be held at the Easterbrook Hall on Tuesday from 11 am. Speaker Joshua White will discuss ‘Seeking the ‘Marvellous’: the Wonderful World of the Surreali...
Wigtown welcomes spring with book weekend
SPRING has sprung in the Machars with the return of Wigtown’s Spring Weekend. The three-day community event had a packed programme across a variety of venues within the book town, including author talks, guided walks, writing, photography and music workshops. This year’s event explored the endur...
Council recruitment issues still a risk
WORKFORCE shortages could still hit vital public services across Dumfries and Galloway, council chiefs have admitted. Officers at the local authority have warned that recruiting and retaining staff in this rural region remains one of its most significant risks. A report going before the council’s ...
Second successful year for art trail
A ‘wonderful weekend’ of art returned to Moffat last week. Dedicated to shining a spotlight on creatives from the town and surrounding area, Moffat Art Trail returned for its second year with a larger number of artist and makers showcasing their creations. Visitors followed the blue balloons to ...
Kids asked: How do you imagine the future of farming?
YOUNGSTERS from Dumfries and Galloway are being invited to use their imaginations for a nationwide short story competition. It has been launched by The Royal Highland Show, as part of Scotland’s National Year of Reading. And it challenges young writers to bring the future of farming to life throug...
Cyber security strengthened at council
A DEVASTATING cyber attack on a Scottish local authority has prompted Dumfries and Galloway Council to strengthen its online defences. Cyber security and IT leaders at the council have learned lessons from a shock ransomware attack in 2023 that crippled the Western Isles Council. The attack impacted...
Five schools will remain closed
FIVE primary schools that had been mothballed will remain temporarily closed when the new term begins in August, it has been confirmed. This comes after just two new pupils were put forward to attend these schools in the forthcoming 2026-7 year. With school rolls continuing to reduce year after year...
Man charged over money laundering after police seize £85,000 on A74(M) motorway in Dumfries and Galloway
Officers stopped a Peugeot car travelling south on the A74(M) near Lockerbie on Friday night.
Major charity shop chain to shut 26 stores across Scotland's high streets
Several locations have already closed in Scotland with more to follow
Man who died after being hit by car in Dumfries named
Police were called to the A75, between the roundabout at Lockerbie Road and the roundabout for the A701, at around 3am