Arts shops launch new town trail

Using funding provided by Dumfries and Galloway Council, the group are hoping that a newly-produced leaflet will help boost their business.
Julie Hollis of the Cloud 9 Gallery in Irish Street said: “There are nine of us on the trail, all within ten minutes of the High Street – some open all year round, others by appointment or during open studio events.
“We have linked up with Guid Nychburris celebrations for the last two years, opening all of our studio doors to visitors on Guid Nychburris Day and forming a chain of art around Dumfries.”
However, she said: “Because none of us are on the High Street, we tend to get missed and people finding us are often surprised to hear how long we’ve all been open.”
Council funding has allowed the group to create maps pointing visitors to Dumfries, as well as Doonhamers themselves, to these arts and craft businesses.
And in the run-up to Christmas, the group have introduced a loyalty card scheme, where shoppers who collect six stamps at three separate locations will receive a free gift.
The nine businesses featured in the Dumfries Art Trail are Cloud 9 Gallery, The Art Room, Trinkets and Treasures, The Handmade Craft House, Yellow Door, Wordsmithcrafts, Ottersburn Gallery, Alison Fair-Bixler and Access Art.