INFORMATION is being gathered on the state of fairs and galas in Dumfries and Galloway.
And members of the public are being asked to take a short survey to help build a clear picture,
The results will be used to put together a red list of endangered fairs and a black list of lost fairs.
Fair Scotland co-chairs Drs TS Beall and Mitch Miller said: “While the Red and Black List paints a potentially grim picture of Scottish fairs that have been lost or are now at risk, our hope is that it provides a call for action – specifically for those in Dumfries and Galloway. “This is an opportunity for members of the public to help us make the case for the future of the fairs in Dumfries on the Whitesands, and to share what they know and love about Scotland’s Fairs.
“It will allow us to gather information that helps showpeople meet the challenges they face – and for the show to go on.”
Fair Scotland recently presented on the precarity of the Dumfries Fairs as part of the European Showmen’s Union Congress 2025 in Edinburgh, which included a debate hosted at the Scottish Parliament.
Peter Hewitt, founder of the Folklore Museums Network, added: “This survey is very important as it is the first step in helping us recognise that fairs across Scotland are indeed ‘heritage’ and are certainly ‘at risk’.
“It will highlight what should be more widely known: that the Dumfries Fairs are amongst the oldest street fairs in the country and that they are economically, culturally, and historically, significant to the town, and to Scotland. This kind of heritage is alive, precarious, and once it’s gone, it’s gone.”
To take part, go to https://bit.ly/LostFairs
* Full story in this week’s papers.
Above- the Dumfries Rood Fair
