Newton Stewart Walking Festival Launches This Week

This week sees the start of the annual Newton Stewart Walking festival.

The festival is now one of the longest running such festivals in Scotland, attracting participants from across the UK and even some from overseas. The programme of over 30 walks and evening event runs from 9 to 15 May.

Walking festival chair Joan Mitchell said: “2025 has been a bumper year for bookings but there are still some places available.”

She added: “Even for those less able to undertake a big walk in the hills, we have a selection easier routes and also another exciting programme of evening events.”

“On Saturday 10 May we are delighted to be showing the lovely, professionally produced Heart of the Biosphere film featuring the core of the Biosphere – the remote and inaccessible Silver Flowe raised bog and the wild Merrick and Kells hill ranges. Unfortunately this area has been in the public eye recently due to the widespread wildfires demonstrating just how vulnerable this precious place is.”

“On Tuesday 13 May we will head to the coast to seek out Galloway’s beaches, with Nic Coombey from Solway Firth partnership giving us a virtual tour from the comfort of the Belted Galloway Visitor Centre.”

Both evening events start at 7.30pm and are open to all.

The full festival programme is available on the festival’s website www.walkfestnewtonstewart.com. Bookings can be made online via the website. You can also keep up to date via the festival’s Facebook page.

This year’s festival has been possible due to generous support of Dumfries and Galloway Council and Stewart R Cunningham Outdoor Centre as well as great assistance from Galloway Mountain Rescue Team and Wigtownshire Ramblers. The festival is one of only a handful of events certified as supporting the principles of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere. Newton Stewart is one of only a handful of places in Scotland designated as a Walkers Are Welcome town, so a warm welcome is assured.