Moving Stories - Newton Stewart & Minnigaff

22/08/2025 Gavin Marwick - Fiddle Ruth Morris - Nyckelharpa Wendy Stewart - Harp Stuart Macpherson - Double Bass Emma Dove - Audio/Video Written by Stuart Macpherson

On the banks of the River Nith, something has surfaced. A sound and spectral anomaly has washed ashore – carrying with it fragments of memory, dream and whispered recollection. As Spring settles over the river, traces of a fair long vanished begin to rise from the haze: voices, lights and stories that refuse to stay submerged. The Phanto Spectra invites you on an intimate journey through time, place and imagination. Inspired by the ghost-illusion shows once brought to Dumfries by the Biddall and Codona families in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this immersive experience rekindles the wonder of the town’s Rood and Spring Fairs – traditions woven deep into the cultural life of Dumfries. Produced by the Stove Network as part of 'Hear Here: The Show Must Go On'. Collaborators include Martin Joseph O'Neill, John Dinning, The Showmen's Theatre Company, Calum Walker, Lucy Doig, Kirsty Harris, Ali Pidsley, Sal Cudiihy & Meg Dickinson-Hood.

A collection of immersive tales created by young writers from the Creative Toolbox programme, in collaboration with Sonic Labs. Creative Toolbox is a vibrant creative wellbeing initiative for young people aged 11–18 in Dumfries & Galloway, designed to build confidence, nurture social connections, spark creativity, and support mental wellbeing. These stories were developed as part of Creative Caerlaverock—an arts and community project that invited creative responses and public engagement inspired by the rich heritage and imagined futures of Caerlaverock Castle. Delivered by The Stove Network in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland.

Explore the sand dunes and beach on our guided audio walk. This sound walk aims to highlight the unique wildlife on Mawbray dunes, the conservation efforts to protect this rare habitat, and the history and experiences of local communities! The full walk is circular, approximately 2.3km long, and should take around an hour to an hour and a half to complete. It includes uneven ground and unfortunately is largely inaccessible for wheelchair users. We have cattle, and ground nesting birds on site, so please keep your dogs under close control. Please download the walk to your phone before you come to the starting point, which is the Mawbray Banks car park, and make sure you allow Echoes to use your location to trigger the sounds as you walk along. It is designed to be experienced through headphones, so make sure you bring yours with you. The walk begins at Mawbray banks car park, Mawbray. From the car park head north out of the gate and take the track left in the direction of the beach; the trail will guide you as you progress along the route. All instructions and guidance will be offered within the audio, following trails through the dunes and above the high tide mark on the beach away from the waters edge. However, if you are planning to walk further onto the beach always check the tide times before your visit. This walk is part of the Dynamic Dunescapes project, partnered with Cumbria Wildlife Trust and Solway Coast AONB. It has been created by Holly Stainton*, X and .... alongside members of the community (x,x,x). Any feedback you have would be greatly appreciated; please get in touch at mail@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk.

Take a walk round various places in Donaghadee while I discuss interactive media!

Take a Break is an audio tour aimed at getting people outside in order to destress and relax.

This walk could take you from the Crawfordsburn Road, following the Columban Way, to Helen's Tower and then cutting down through the woods and on towards the Whitespots Leadmines, past the last narrative about Lod Dufferin's exploits with mining. The estate boundary is where the woods meets the more open scrublands of the lead mines. It is then an easy walk down to the Somme Heritage Centre on the Bangor to Newtownards dual carriageway. This route is about 2.3 miles. On the other hand, to go as far as the last narrative is about 1.6 miles. Alternatively, park at the Somme Heritage Centre and walk back to the Crawfordsburn Road.

This is the second walk of the Chronicles of Clandeboye (2.6 miles). A good starting point is on the A2 dual carriageway, and then walk the route in either direction. I suggest anticlockwise, taking you a short distance along the dual carriageway before turning left along the track to Meadow Way in Crawfordsburn. Then turn right and descend to the village. Cross the road and look out for the path leading into the Crawfordsburn Counrty Park, between the hotel and the Spar shop. Skirt the woodland until you come to the viaduct, then make your way left and join the main entrance road to the park. Follow this to the entrance at Bridge Road and cross over into the Towns' Womens' Guild wood. Follow the path over the hill and join the Clandeboye Avenue at Sunnybrook farm, Then turn left and follow the avenue all the way back to your start point on the A2. An alternative route couldbe to start at Helen's Bay station and walk up the avenue to the dual carriageway and then back through Crawfordsburn, or start at Crawfordsburn. Soundtrack: Orchestral Scherzo by Daniel Williams

This is the first of my Chronicles walks (3.6 miles). You can start this walk at Helen's Bay Station or the beach car park, but I will describe the route from the Coastguard Avenue Car park. From the car park follow the main route, through the gates, down to the shore. Turn right and follow the coastal path all the way around Grey Point until you join Fort Road. Turn left and walk due South, cross the road into the beach car park and walk straight on, along the Columban Way to the station. There is an entrance into the station underpass to the right after the second bridge. Go through the underpass and exit the station. Go right on Bridge Road and then cross over and go up Golf Road. At the entrance to the Golf Course take the footpath on your right and follow this through the woods and down to the shore. Turn left and follow the beack back to Fort Road. Then retrace your steps along the beautiful coastal path. Note that there is a cut through at the end, if you can spot it. Soundtrack: Orchestral Scherzo by Daniel Williams