Latest news with #Kirkcudbright
BBC News
03-07-2025
- BBC News
Kirkcudbright Bridge reopens after closure split the town in two
A south of Scotland bridge has reopened to traffic more than 100 days after it was shut suddenly on safety grounds - splitting the town in two. However, it is not yet business as usual in Kirkcudbright as the reopened bridge now has a 20mph (32km/h) speed limit and operates using a one-way system, with timed lights at either and Galloway Council (DGC) officials ordered the bridge to close on 21 March as it was deemed unsafe during a routine decision cut off one housing estate from the rest of the town; creating a five-mile (8km) detour for drivers. Despite expected traffic delays at either side of the crossing, locals and businesses alike celebrated the reopening on Wednesday when asked by BBC Scotland Vaughan's new business - called The Little Art Den - opened in the town after the bridge closed."I'm seriously hoping the reopening increases footfall for all the local small businesses who are operating in the area," she said."It's apparent that average drop-in business is down as much as 25% for some and that has a knock-on effect for the rest of the community." Some businesses decided to get creative to keep customers happy during the Books launched a book-delivery service, offering customers fresh literature to their doorstep."We put out an offer on social media that if anybody wanted to order books we would do the hiking round," said Stuart Parsons."It's been really unfortunate for them because we missed their custom." Now that the bridge is back open - with some changes - Mr Parsons said he was very pleased to see old faces again."Today seems busier than usual, whether that's to do with the bridge opening I'm not sure," he said."All famous towns and cities that have rivers flowing through them are special - Kirkcudbright is no different."Now that we're all together again it feels good." Across the road, cookery school owner Nick Morris agreed that he was happy to see the bridge reopened. "It's great news it has reopened for residents, tradespeople and businesses," he said."When the bridge closed it didn't just split the town in half but cut traffic off from places like Castle Douglas and Gatehouse of Fleet."There was a really, really noticeable footfall drop. A lot of the shops rely on people coming over from the bridge." After the closure Mr Morris said he helped launch Kirkcudbright Bridge Action Group to form a united voice while engaging with the council."What we will be watching for very clearly now is what is the timescale for the replacement bridge," he said."We have been told it can't be reinforced, it can't be rebuilt."DGC said it was considering the best options for a new bridge, but said it was too early to determine the length of the it pointed out that similar projects had taken upwards of six to seven years. Until a long-term solution is secured, traffic changes are designed to reduce any further physical toll on the include a three-tonne weight limit and width and plant pots have been installed to ensure motorists unused part of the road is now a dedicated active-travel crossing for bikes."It's very narrow isn't it? That's why I'm walking over just now to have a little look, before I attempt it," local resident Mandy Douglas said. Ms Douglas is one of many residents cut off from the main town when the bridge shut."It's been a bit bad because my elderly mother stays across the bridge," she said."I've got to pick up the grandchildren from school and have to go all the way round."But hey - it's open!"Resident Brian McQuarrie uses a mobility scooter over the bridge, but thinks the new measures could cause problems for drivers."The first week, we'll see how many smashes there are," he said."We want a new bridge - that's only temporary what they've got now." In a statement, the council said it would have staff on-site for "a period of time to assess the traffic management arrangements."The local authority also said it would advise drivers where necessary and make adjustments to the traffic light timings to ensure traffic flowed as smoothly as possible with minimal Scotland News saw two staff members on the ground, one at either side of the bridge, manually changing traffic light council said the reopening had followed a "rigorous technical assessment and analysis" by its engineering team and consultants.
BBC News
23-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Crystal jar from Viking treasure hoard to go on show in Kirkcudbright
A rock crystal jar from a significant Viking hoard discovered near Dumfries will be displayed for the first time later this Galloway Hoard was unearthed in a field by metal detectorist Derek McLennan in 2014 and is thought to be one of the most important archaeological finds in the UK this about AD 900, it contained a variety of objects and materials, including pendants, brooches, bracelets and relics. The jar, which resembles an ornate perfume bottle decorated in gold embellishments, will go on display at Kirkcudbright Galleries on 8 November. National Museums Scotland, which acquired the collection in 2017, said the jar was wrapped in linen and placed in a silk-lined leather pouch, before being packed into a larger lidded vessel with more than 20 other several months, the object was carefully separated from the textile - a rare medieval survival itself which is believed to include Scotland's earliest example of and other precious textile survivals had to be conserved with care, so the jar has never been available for display jar is thought to relate to the Christian church or its clergy and has a Latin inscription written in gold which translates as "Bishop Hyguald had me made". National Museums Scotland said due to gaps in church records in the 9th century, when the hoard is thought to have been buried, it had not been possible to identify Hyguald or exactly where he was based. Dr Martin Goldberg from National Museums Scotland said: "The rock crystal jar is one of the highlight objects from the Galloway Hoard. "From the beautiful rock crystal itself, originally carved in the form of a classical Corinthian column two thousand years ago, to the incredibly intricate gold decoration added hundreds of years later and including a clear inscription identifying its owner, this one object exemplifies the complex, connected and historic nature of the Galloway Hoard. "The jar was the subject of international attention when we first revealed the inscription, and it's great to be able to put it on display it for the first time in Kirkcudbright." Most of the Galloway Hoard is currently on display as part of an international tour which began earlier this showing at the South Australian Museum in Adelaide is due to close in July, as the collection moves to Melbourne for the next leg of the tour.
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Kirkcudbright Scout undergoing brain tumour treatment receives Unsung Hero Award
Hazel Dempster was one of just 20 young Scots from across the UK chosen to receive the accolade from Chief Scout Dwayne Fields. A Kirkcudbright Scout who is being treated for a brain tumour has received one of the movement's top awards. Hazel Dempster was chosen to receive an Unsung Hero Award from Chief Scout Dwayne Fields at the organisation's home in London's Gilwell Park. She was one of just 20 young Scouts chosen out of 475,000 Scouts from across the UK to receive the award, which recognises acts of outstanding bravery and selflessness. She said: 'I'm surprised and proud at receiving Dwayne's heroes award. It was great to meet him and talk with him.' The citation for Hazel's nomination read: 'Hazel is an amazing young person, a fantastic young leader who takes time to engage the quieter Scouts and includes everybody helping them to do their best. 'Hazel has been receiving treatment in recent years for a brain tumour, going through chemotherapy and now a newer form of treatment, but through this, she continues to carry on with Scouts and making a difference to other young people. She doesn't let her treatment stop her. 'She enjoys helping out, comes up with creative ways to help make Scouting as enjoyable as possible for the Scouts whilst also gaining leadership and teamwork skills. 'She also regularly takes it upon herself to fundraise for the Kirkcudbright Scout group, baking to raise donations, taking part in larger bake sales as well as helping at fundraising stalls.' The Unsung Heroes Award is a coveted personal achievement which recognises the amazing skills and endeavours of young people across the Scouts community – from Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and people in the Scout Network. The winners were nominated by Scout volunteers for their outstanding bravery and leadership in the community, showing skills and qualities which are learned by being part of the Scouts and subsequently taken through life. Winners were chosen by an experienced panel of Scout Ambassadors led by the Chief Scout, Dwayne Fields. He said: 'A huge congratulations to the winners of this remarkable award for acts of courage and selflessness in the community. Being part of the Scouts provides young people with skills they take with them through life, and the stories of these young people represent the highest form of Scouting values. 'I want to thank you for your dedication and celebrate what is a truly outstanding achievement.'
BBC News
09-05-2025
- BBC News
Woman, 67, killed in A75 crash named by police
A 67-year-old woman killed in a two-car crash on the A75 in Dumfries and Galloway has been named by Reeves, of Kirkcudbruight, died and two teenagers were seriously hurt in the crash between Castle Douglas and Bridge of Dee last Reeves, who was driving a Ford Ka, died at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.A 19-year-old man, who was driving a Seat Ibiza, and his 16-year-old female passenger were treated for serious injuries. Police Scotland said inquiries were ongoing and appealed for anyone with information to get in touch.
