Council Events Commitment Strengthened

Dumfries and Galloway is set to shine as Scotland’s leading rural events destination for many years to come.

The council has strengthened the region’s ability to attract tens of thousands more events visitors to the region by ‘advancing’ the Stranraer Oyster Festival and the Kirkcudbright Galleries programme of exhibitions to Signature Event status. This status will ensure the two events receive ring-fenced funding each year and can make longer term plans.

For 2025 the Oyster Festival and Kirkcudbright Galleries Exhibitions will each receive £28,000 funding from the council.

The Signature Event programme and advancement initiative is part of the current regional Events Strategy 2023-2027, which is being fully implemented by the council and its project partners and each year has a budget of £275,000.

The two new Signature events, identified after a robust review process, join Big Burns Supper, the Arts Festival, Spring Fling, the Scottish Rally, World Championship Ice Hockey in Dumfries, Wigtown Book Festival and the Tour of Britain in having this designation. The Signature Events together are worth close to £10m to the regional economy and the profile of Dumfries and Galloway worldwide.

Councillor Maureen Johnstone, Chair of the Council’s Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Committee said,

“I’d like to congratulate the Oyster Festival and the council’s own Kirkcudbright Galleries for the contribution they make to culture, heritage and tourism in our region. Their designation as Signature Events of Dumfries and Galloway is completely merited and will add to our region’s reputation for hosting wonderful festivals and events.”

Romano Petrucci of Stranraer Development Trust, which plans and delivers the Oyster Festival said,

“Stranraer Development Trust is both delighted and immensely grateful for this support through the Signature Events programme. As many involved in the world of event creation, management and delivery will well know, the financial planning begins way before the event weekend. After 8 years of continuously improving delivery of the Oyster Festival, this new support stream allows all involved to negotiate the important parts of the event earlier and without the financial constraints of impending funding applications, that often mean a backlog of work at the business end of things when prices also increase. As such, the SDT as well as the entire town and community who create and present with pride this fantastic event are very appreciative of this show of faith and support in our efforts."

The Council’s total funding for the Signature Events in financial year 2025/26 will be £188,000.

Councillor Lynne Davis, Vice Chair of the Council’s Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Committee said,

“There has been a superb community and visitor response to the Kirkcudbright Galleries since they opened in 2018. The permanent collection is much loved and the venue’s programme of temporary exhibitions helps keep the Galleries public profile high across Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland and internationally. The Signature Events funding will enable the council’s team in Kirkcudbright to take forward long term planning and ensure we continue to bring exhibitions of international significance to Dumfries and Galloway.”