Nithraid

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!

📣 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.

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

📣 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