Arts & Culture

Here are the main cultural hotspots for South Scotland whether you fancy art in Annan or drama in Dumfries.

Theatre

The newest theatre in South Scotland is The Bucclech Centre in Langolm opened in 2007. The theatre offers a varied programme of music and drama. Forthcoming events include the opera 'Carmen', Borders Big Band and The McCalmans.

From new to old, step back in time to the oldest working theatre in Scotland, The Theatre Royal, Dumfries, built in 1792. The theatre is owned and run by the Guild of Players. Guild membership is open to all with volunteers taking part in all theatre operations from make-up to helping in the bar. The theatre also runs a junior group.

Buccleuch Centre, Langholm

The Lochside Theatre in Castle Douglas is another voluntarily run theatre. The theatre runs a varied programme including drama, music and dance as well as offering youth theatre groups open to those aged 5 and over. 

One of the smallest theatres in South Scotland is The Swallow Theatre in Whithorn. The theatre features 'home-grown' productions and also hosts visiting productions ranging from plays to poetry.

Another small scale venue is The Bridgend Theatre in Dumfries - home of the Dumfries Musical and Operatic society. This community run venue puts on two shows a year. New members are welcome. The unique venue is also available for hire.

The Ryan Centre Theatre in Stranraer, based in the leisure centre, hosts a varied programme of productions throughout the year from community choirs to drama. The theatre also doubles as a cinema.

The Wynd Theatre, Melrose

The privately managed Wynd Theatre in Melrose also hosts films as well as theatre productions. Music and drama feature heavily in the programme for the Wynd Theatre ranging from traditional music to children's drama.

The Bowhill Theatre in Selkirk, sister theatre to The Wynd, offers the same flavour of productions from visiting drama productions to music.

The Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre in Peebles acts as a community venue for films, theatre and musical acts. The venue can also be hired out for private functions and corporate events.

Visual Art

The 'artists' town' of Kirkcudbright, as one would expect, is home to many art galleries.
The Tolbooth Art Centre features changing art and crafts exhibitions as well as housing permanent artworks from artists with connections to the town such as Jessie M King, EA Hornel, The Colourists and the Glasgow Boys. 

The Stewartry Museum in Kirkcudbright also features paintings by artists with links to the town as well as housing historical artefacts and displays relating to Kirkcudbrightshire.

Local paintings, artworks and crafts can be found at The Harbour Cottage gallery in Kirkcudbright. Broughton House, once home of artist EA Hornel, is now owned by the National Trust. The venue contains art and ceramic collections and has a stunning garden in the grounds.

Annan Museum features changing exhibitions ranging from textiles and photography as well as housing a permanent exhibition on the history of Annan.

Stranraer Museum

Stranraer Museum also houses local history exhibitions including archaeology, maritime history as well as changing exhibitions and paintings.

Dumfries Museum, housed in an eighteenth century windmill, contains materials relating to the history of South West Scotland as well as being home to a camera obscura giving panoramic views over the town.

Hawick Museum houses permanent exhibitions on the town's history and runs a changing programme of art exhibitions throughout the year.
Also in Hawick is Drumlanrig's Tower which has displays on the textile history of the town and holds the Tom Scott room, showing paintings from the artist.

Tweedale museum contains local history exhibits as well as varied arts exhibitions. The Old Gala House in Galashiels is another venue that blends local history along with contemporary art and photography exhibitions.

If you want to get involved in more than viewing art then printmaking classes and kids art and crafts classes are available at The Gracefield Centre in Dumfries. Local arts and crafts are also on display and are for sale.

Designs Gallery in Castle Douglas is another privately owned gallery with changing arts and crafts exhibitions and exhibits for sale.