Forthcoming Events
Mill Talks
14 October 2026 – 7.30pm River Room
Gavin Strachan
“Admiral John McClure 1837-1920 of Galloway and the Imperial Chinese Navy – and his Mandarin Robe”
John McClure was born in Kirkcudbright and died in Garlieston, but his career as a master mariner in the Far East culminated in his appointment as Admiral of the Chinese fleet in the 1894-5 war with the Japanese. His rare yellow-ground mandarin robe was one of his favourite possessions and sold in London last year for £121,000.
All Welcome. Entrance is free. Refreshments provided.
Donations to the Mill are much appreciated.
Mill Talks
(Rescheduled from August)
21 October 2026 7.30pm River Room
Peter Garson
“Red Squirrels, Grey Squirrels and Pine Martens – what’s going on around Gatehouse (and elsewhere)?”
This talk is about the future of our much beloved Red Squirrel, which is still very much around in gardens, woodlands and forests near Gatehouse.
All Welcome. Entrance is free. Refreshments provided.
Donations to the Mill are much appreciated.
Concert: Moon Dreams / Esther Swift
Thursday 29th October 2026 7:30pm
Esther’s performance is at once virtuosic and tender, dramatic and meditative—summoning the old and the new through both familiar and unexpected harmonic shifts, melodies rooted in tradition yet boldly innovative, and vocals that soar with emotional intensity.
Esther Swift brings her new EP Moon Dreams to Dumfriesshire for the first time. The EP highlights her captivating solo performance with harp and voice in its first three tracks, followed by remixes from her acclaimed album Expectations of a Lifetime, forming a striking contrast in the EP’s second half.
The opening track, Hope, is a heartfelt call for love and connection. The title track, Moon Dreams, evokes the romance of nature’s cycles—its pushes and pulls. The third track is a reimagining of Dream Angus, a traditional Scottish lullaby that reflects both the beauty and hardship of rural life in Scotland.
“Celestial.” — Shamira Ahmed, Front Row.
“Björk-esque” ★★★★★ – Edinburgh Reporter.
“Luscious, righteous, furious and funny” – the Scots magazine.
Tickets:
Concession – £8.00 (Under 26 / Universal Credit)