Saturday 30 June: British Pipe Band Championships 2012

We are pretty excited, as this  Saturday 30 June 2012, Annan is hosting the British Pipe Band Championships for the third year running. Dad, a big fan of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, is going along with some of the young musicians in the family as it promises to be a great day out.

This colourful event is one of the world's most spectacular gatherings of highland music and culture. With around 130 pipe bands will competing to be British Champions at their grade in front of a crowd of 6,000 spectators.

Photo courtesy of the 

British Pipe Band Championships

 website: http://www.annanchampionships.co.uk

This year there will be lots of tasty Dumfries and Galloway food and produce on offer and more than fifty trade stands including a craft fair, showcasing the creativity and talents of many of Dumfries and Galloway's top artists and craftmakers. There will also be amusement stalls for all the family.



For lovers of pipe bands it's a lot closer than the Edinburgh Tattoo as Annan is just along the Solway Coast to the East past Dumfries and an easy drive along the A75.



Tickets purchased in advance are priced:

• Adult  £6
• Concessions  £4 (retired, full-time student, unemployed, under 16)
• Family  £15 (2 adults + 2 concessions or 1 adult + 3 concessions)

For advance ticket sales click here: Tickets

Tickets will also be available on the day at the gate priced:

• Adult £9 
• Concessions £6 (retired, full-time student, unemployed, under 16) 
• Under 5 Free 
• Family £22 (2 adults + 2 concessions or 1 adult + 3 concessions)

See you there!

TODAY Tim Kliphuis Trio: High energy at Colvend Village Hall

Those of you who think that Kippford and Rockcliffe are sleepy sea-side villages, think again! It's all happening here on the Colvend Coast.

The exciting and accomplished Tim Kliphuis Trio, which includes our own local boy,  Kippford-bred, Roy Percy, is opening this year’s Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival  with two very different concerts. The first at the Theatre Royal, Friday 25^th May, and then at Colvend Village Hall, Sat 26^th May, both 7.30pm.  

Tim Kliphuis: fighting off hoards of adoring fans?

Tim's improvised sound is totally new, yet steeped in tradition and their eclectic style breathes new life into existing musical styles. The band's high-energy brand of Classical, Gypsy Jazz, Celtic and World music and appeals to young and old alike. 

Classically trained, and widely regarded as the inheritor of the Stephane Grappelli crown, Kliphuis first made his name playing with the fiery European gypsy guitarists but soon developed a crossover style taking him to classical, jazz and folk venues across the world. 

On Friday night at the Theatre Royal, with his Trio  providing the driving rhythms of  Thirties Swing on double bass, and with James Birkitt – one of the UK’s top jazz guitarists - they will perform a tribute to Stephane Grapelli’s style . On Saturday, at our local hall in Colvend, with premiere Scots guitarist, Nigel Clark, expect Vivaldi, Grappelli, Ellington, Grieg and the Chieftains!

The Trio have played to packed & hugely appreciative audiences in Kippford, Kirkcudbright & Gatehouse in recent years so it's an event not to be missed! 

Ticket Booking Hotline Now Open: +44 (0)1387 253383 


Or book tickets online here: Tickets for Tim Kliphuis Trio - Colvend Village Hall 25th May

For more information on the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival click here 

Yet more local media mentions this week

This weekends Telegraph featured a "Top 100 Music Festivals" and Dumfries & Galloways Wickerman was named as one of the Top 20!

For the full article click here: Telegraph Top-100-music-festivals-April-September-2012

Described as "Ebullient gem of the Scottish festival season that closes with a giant burning effigy." It is recommended as being family friendly so a great festival to look out for.

This years Wickerman is held on July 20-21 at East Kirkcarswell in Dumfries & Galloway so it's a great opportunity to book into somewhere local and make a break of it. At Riverview Lodge and Millbrae House we often get revelers who, after two days (and night's) partying want somewhere in the area to relax, chill out and have a hot bath!

The Wickerman Festival takes place along the A711 near Dundrennan,  so only 15 miles from Kippford and Rockcliffe and just over an hour’s hop from the M74. When the wind is from the West you can sometimes hear the distant beat as the party goes on as it's just over the next headland.

The ticket price this year is  £90; with 13-15s year olds £45; and under-13s free. You can get more information here:  www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk

Controversy rages amongst fans on FaceBook this year over the late announcement of the line up. Is it confusion due management changes or are they just trying to tease? Whatever it is, the Wickerman always delivers for a fun packed, high octane event.

Wickerman Festival Finale