NEWTON STEWART WALK FEST SET TO GO!
Written by author on May 6, 2014
Walkers from across the country will be descending on Galloway from this weekend for the twelfth Newton Stewart Walking Festival.
The award winning week-long event, which runs from Friday 9th to Thursday 15th May, has once again attracted walkers from both near and far with its varied mix of walks and evening social events.
The festival features more than 30 guided walks and evening talks exploring the hills, countryside and coast of Galloway. Routes featured this year include several which take in the highest top in the south of Scotland, the Merrick. Scotland’s most southerly point, the Mull of Galloway, will also be visited while the festival ventures into South Ayrshire for the first time.
It will be the first annual event since the festival was awarded the Best Natural Based Experience award in South West and Central Scotland at Scotland’s tourism Oscars, the Scottish Thistle Awards, in autumn last year.
This year’s evening events programme includes a welcome dinner on Friday 9th May as well as what promises to be a fascinating talk on Galloway’s Historic Places by local historian Lawrie Johnston on Saturday 10th May. The evening talks programme is rounded off on Tuesday 13th May by Mark Williams of Galloway Wild Foods who will explore the many edible and useful plants and fungi to be found in our countryside through an impressive interactive presentation.
Joan Mitchell, Chair of the group of volunteers who organise the festival said: “We are looking forward to welcoming many old friends back to Newton Stewart for what will be our twelfth festival. We are also delighted to be welcoming walkers to the area for the first time. With the temporary closure of the McMillan Hall, The Belted Galloway Visitor Centre will act as our main base for this year’s festival.”
“We have put together what we believe is another varied programme, with many brand new routes and some old favourites. We are sure there is something to suit all tastes, from full day hikes into the wildest parts of the Galloway Hills to more gentle strolls through the beautiful Galloway countryside finishing at a local pub or café.”
The full festival programme is available at www.newtonstewartwalkfest.com and in a brochure widely available in various outlets. Bookings can be made via the festival website, by calling the festival booking office on 01671 404500, or by calling in personally to the WRDC Business Centre in Queen Street, Newton Stewart.
