We are about Galloway and the region as a whole;- its character, history, natural resources and beauty. We aim to encourage the conservation, development and improvement of features of general amenity, landscape, cultural heritage, natural heritage, gardens and historical interest. We aim to encourage high standards of architecture and town and country planning in the region.
In our view, South West Scotland offers a distinctive and unique combination of long-established cultural landscapes and backdrops of wilder land, reached into at intervals by the sea. Verdant green drumlin pasture lands contoured by dry stone walls are so often seen across estuaries and against more remote hills, moors and forest, punctuated at intervals by white-painted farms and villages, or old estate woodlands. A spine of higher hills runs through the region, but it is not predominantly a highland landscape, having in many areas a distinctively open and spacious rural character.
There are now many pressures on the fabric of rural life and on the rural economy. These pressures impact on the Society’s main concerns in many ways. We see it as part of our mission to respond to some of this change, through appropriate democratic means, to listen and to reflect. Rather than outright opposition in every case, the Society prefers to try to adopt a middle path, which seeks to avoid unnecessary damage to regional assets where that damage can be avoided.
In our response to change, we also cherish our independence.
Known as the Galloway Preservation Society until October last year, we aim to provide at least six events per year. These are sometimes talks, at Gatehouse of Fleet or Castle Douglas for example, but more often they are meetings in the field or at museums, or other locations. The details this year are given below or on the Events page. All are welcome, either non-members or society members. You can become a member at events or by using the Joining Us page, or pay a small fee (£5) for individual events, as a non-member. For further details on events, you can contact the Secretary via email, as given on the Joining Us page.
Thursday April 23rd
Lunch at the Mill on the Fleet, Gatehouse of Fleet at 1pm followed by the AGM at the Mill at 1.45pm, followed by a historical walk around Gatehouse.
Those wishing to attend the lunch and AGM are requested to RSVP, via the Chairperson’s email: a.buckoke1952@btinternet.com.
Organiser: David Steel and Alistair Buckoke.
Wednesday May 20th, 2pm
Farm Visit to Gledpark Farm, Kirkcudbright. This is a Red Deer farm, and the Farmer has agreed to show us around the farm and the various facets of agriculture that are engaged in. All access will be by car on farm roads, with no significant walking involved. Gledpark is on the B727 between Gatehouse and Borgue, about halfway between the Barharrow turn off and Blackbriggs, near Borgue.
Organiser: Alistair Buckoke
Early June, tbc
A day visit to Whithorn, which will include a visit to the Port Castle excavations (near St Ninians Cave) at 10 am, a tour of the Museum and Roundhouse at Whithorn at 11.30 am, focusing on new exhibits, lunch at the Museum Cafe, and then a tour of building conservation and boatbuilding skills workshops in the afternoon. We do not yet know the dates for the excavations, but the visit here would be for confident walkers, so some might wish to join us at the Museum a little later.
Organiser: Julia Muir-Watt and Alistair Buckoke
Mid-July, tbc
A visit to DG Woodlands Trust sites with McNabb Laurie, looking at the aims of the Trust. This is likely to be in the Dalbeattie area.
The focus of the visit will be on the varied woodland conservation aims of the trust, and will include a visit to a wood recently acquired by the trust.
Organiser: McNabb Laurie
Early – Mid September, tbc
Lunch at Thornhill followed by a visit to Drumlanrig. Further details will be supplied on this site in due course.
Organiser: Jane Maitland
tbc
Details, times and places, as they become known.
Organiser: Various
tbc
Details as they become available
Organiser: tbc
Galloway Conservation Society 