Nithraid

13/03/2026

Save the Date – Nithraid is back for 2026! 🎉⛵️🌊

Get ready for an unforgettable day on Saturday 15th August as coastal rowers, sailors and kayakers race up the River Nith from Glencaple to Dumfries, whilst battling for the best time!

Produced by EcoArt, we can’t wait to share an event that blends environmental art, celebrates creative projects and promises plenty of fun along the way.

Stay tuned for more details and race registration info coming soon. For now, mark your calendars - we’ll see you on the Mill Green!

19/09/2025

Some great events as part of the ImMerse Festival coming up....

WOW! These ImMerse Events are getting booked up quickly...Please don't miss your chance to come along and join the discussion we are looking forward to meeting everyone. All Events are FREE. Follow links in comments to book or you can scan the QR code...
Solway Firth PartnershipThe National Lottery Heritage Fund ScotlandDumfries and Galloway! Whats Going on ?Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO BiosphereDumfries and Galloway CouncilGalloway Fisheries TrustNatureScotDumfries & Galloway WoodlandsVisit MoffatAnnan Harbour Action Group - Charity Sc46732Annan Online

06/09/2025

📣 We're delighted and very proud that Nithraid has been celebrated in a Parliamentary motion submitted by Emma Harper MSP. Big thanks to all the team, participants and spectators who contributed to a wonderful Nithraid 2025 🚣‍♀️🚣‍♀️🚣‍♀️

EcoArt The Holywood Trust The National Lottery Community Fund Oceanallover The People's Project, Dumfries Blackthorn Salt
A' the Airts Community Arts Centre South West Scotland Environmental Information Centre Old School Thornhill The Bonnie Bistro Species on the Edge Cluaran - Historical Interpretation Project

Nithraid River Festival is the colourful annual celebration of the River Nith.
The 2025 spectacular Progress of the Salty Coo, stall on Mill Green and the boat race up the Nith were enjoyed by all.

26/08/2025

Wow – what a day! Thank you to everyone who joined us for Nithraid 2025! 🎉

It was incredible to see so many of you out enjoying the celebrations, from Glencaple all the way into Dumfries. The Mill Green was buzzing with energy and we loved sharing such a vibrant mix of events, activities, food and fun with you all.

A massive shoutout goes to the amazing people who made it happen - our brilliant workshop hosts, inspiring speakers, dedicated race organisers and tireless volunteers. You brought the festival to life!

Thank you to Oceanallover for creating this year's Salty Coo Procession and for parading her through the streets of Dumfries! It was an incredibly wonderful and fun spectacle for all.

And of course, a huge congratulations to all our rowers, sailors, kayakers and — for the very first time — paddle boarders! You brought such excitement to the river, and we hope you had as much fun taking part as we had cheering you on.

We know some of you were disappointed to miss the boats arriving into town, and we’re truly sorry about that. Each year we learn more about the Nith and its unique tides - this year, the low water and the boats following the bore so closely meant they sped into town much quicker than expected. Thank you for your understanding, and we hope the fantastic atmosphere on the Mill Green (along with the glorious sunshine!) made the day just as special.

Here’s to Nithraid 2025 - we couldn’t have done it without you. 💙

Nithraid is produced by EcoArt and supported by The National Lottery Community Fund, The Holywood Trust, Blackthorn Salt, The People's Project, Dumfries and the Barfil Trust.

Photos by Trinity Coombs and Kirstin McEwan

23/08/2025

Today’s the day! 🎉 The tide is high and Nithraid is back! 🌊

Starting with the Salty Coo Procession with Oceanallover gathering at the Planestanes at 11am and making its way to the Mill Green for a special performance at 12.10pm!

Grab a picnic box from The Stove Cafe, Kings Coffee & Books or an ice cream from Sadie's Ice Cream and Desserts to take down to the Mill Green.

Meanwhile in Glencaple, our racers depart Glencaple at 12pm to make their way to the town centre, arriving between 12 - 1pm. This is officially our biggest boat race EVER!

The Mill Green hosts a fantastic array of family friendly activities, exhibitions, talks and workshops, PLUS films showing all afternoon at RBC Film Theatre

Activities will finish at 5pm.

It’s set to be a jam-packed day!

23/08/2025

📣 Oceanallover will perform The Rite of the Salty Coo at Nithraid TODAY (Sat 23rd) in Dumfries, commencing at Eleven Bells by the Mid Steeple.
Join us for the progression of the Coo and subsequent submersion in the Nith! Dressing up is also an option 💃

Nithraid River Festival 2025 EcoArt

22/08/2025

🎊 We're excited about Nithraid tomorrow! Starts from 11am. Programme here 👇
https://nithraid.org/programme/

EcoArt
The Holywood Trust
Blackthorn Salt
The National Lottery Community Fund
The People's Project, Dumfries

Nithraid, the colourful annual celebration of the River Nith is on Saturday 23rd August. With high tide arriving early, Nithraid 2025 takes place around lunchtime. The activities on Mill Green ( st…

22/08/2025

💃🕺 ... and after Nithriad's finished, head to the The Dougie Arms for the after party..... from 5pm playing fabulous funk, soul, disco and R&B.. see you there....

⛵️🌊 The annual Nithraid River Festival & Boat Race returns on Saturday 23rd August, 11am to 5pm, and all events and activities are FREE! 🐄 Find all the info you need at https://nithraid.org/

🛟 Our Nithraid afterparty is back too, with Glasgow-based selectors Malcolm McKenzie and Wayne Dickson at the helm! 🏴‍☠️ We’re kicking things off straight after the riverside activities close at 5pm, giving you a whopping 7hrs of Good Grooves™️ at the Dougie! ⚓️

22/08/2025

🌊 An amazing wind-powered water filtering system by artist Mark Zygadlo. Come and make a toast to the river and be part of 'Clarifying the Nith', a discussion on a charter of rights for the river.

🕚 On the Mill Green all day.

🚣‍♀️ The boats arrive from 1pm so bring a picnic or buy one from The Bonnie Bistro and enjoy the spectacle!

Nithraid is produced and funded by EcoArtt. We are grateful for additional funding from The National Lottery Community Fund Blackthorn Salt The People's Project, Dumfries and The Holywood Trust

21/08/2025

🦇 Bat Walk!! Join Species on the Edge Project Officer Liam Templeton for a guided evening walk along the banks of the river Nith as we search for the enigmatic Daubenton’s bat, otherwise known as the “water bat”. Equipped with special bat detectors, we will walk a circular route of approximately 1KM along the Mill Green and White Sands, taking notice of any bat-related activity along the way.

🕣 8:30-10:30pm. Meet at Robert Burns Centre Car Park

📍This event is FREE to attend but has limited capacity – booking is essential. Anyone under the age of 16 should be accompanied by an adult. Please dress in warm, weather-appropriate clothing and wear comfortable footwear. Torches and reflective clothing can be provided if necessary.

For more info / to book your place email [email protected]

Nithraid is produced and funded by EcoArt. We are grateful for additional funding from The National Lottery Community Fund Blackthorn Salt The People's Project, Dumfries,and The Holywood Trust

21/08/2025

📣 Looking for 4 folk to be bearers of the iconic Salty Coo this Saturday 23rd for Nithraid!! 💪

🦸‍♀️Your chance to be part of the procession and to wear an amazing costume designed by Alex Rigg of Oceanallover.

🕙 You'll need to be able to get to the Nithriad shop in Dumfries town centre for 10.30am. The procession will gather at 11am and leave at 11.30. The walk to Mill Green takes arounds 30/40mins. The Salty Coo isn't heavy but you'll need a wee bit of stamina (she can be put down for you to have a rest at various points along the way)🐄

Interested? Please message us using the blue messaging button at the top of the page. Thanks and please share away 😊

EcoArt