The Crichton

Explore the stories of ten care-experienced individuals, captured by the dramatic and atmospheric portraiture of photographer Chris Scott. Inspired and informed by the personal stories of ten contributors to the [*Caring Scotland*](https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/projects/caring-scotland) project. Chris is a Scottish photographer with a care-experienced background, whose unobtrusive photography style captures the essence and personality of the people he photographs. *Ten Portraits* is part of [*Caring Scotland*](https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/projects/caring-scotland), a three-year listening project led by acclaimed playwright Nicola McCartney documenting and recording the lives of Care Experienced people in Scotland. *Ten Portraits* opens at **Inverness Museum** before touring to venues and gallery spaces across Scotland. [The One Hundred Voices](https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/events/one-hundred-voices) installation will also be touring to a number of venues alongside the *Ten Portraits* exhibition from Aug 2026 – Oct 2027. Photographer: **Chris Scott** **National Theatre of Scotland** in partnership with **Who Cares? Scotland** and the **National Library of Scotland**, funded with an award from **The National Lottery Heritage Fund** Supported by **The Weir Charitable Trust** and **The Rayne Foundation** *Caring Scotland* also has two other strands: [***One Hundred Voices*** ](https://www.crichton.co.uk/event/caring-scotland-one-hundred-voices/)is an interactive audio-guided installation giving a creative insight into living in the care system and is an artistic act of recognition and celebration of the one hundred testimonies the project has recorded. **The Sound Collection** – all stories gathered from the listening project will be deposited in a new Caring Scotland oral history audio archive, housed in perpetuity at the National Library of Scotland for public access as well as excerpts being made available online via the NTS website

**Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries: 17th – 19th September 2026** **One Hundred Voices time slots run from:** 17th Sep 5 – 7 pm 18th Sep 6 – 8pm 19th Sep 12 noon – 3pm One Hundred Voices is an interactive, audio-guided installation, bringing creative insight into living in the care system. It serves as an artistic act of recognition and celebration of the one hundred testimonies recorded through the Caring Scotland project. Step into a guided immersive experience which walks you through an intimate landscape of memory, resilience and imagination, drawn from the lives of one hundred voices from Scotland’s Care Experienced community. Fragments of stories unfold across sound, light, and space, as the audience journeys through a series of spaces. This interactive installation transforms oral history into artistic encounters, and asks usto imagine together a more compassionate Scotland where every child is cherished,every voice amplified, every future honoured. One Hundred Voices is part of Caring Scotland, a three-year listening project led by acclaimed playwright Nicola McCartney documenting and recording the lives of Care Experienced people in Scotland. The One Hundred Voices installation opens at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on 12 August 2026 as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics 2026, before touring to Glasgow, Dumfries, Stranraer, Forfar and Glenrothes. Ten Portraits, one of the other strands of the Caring Scotland project, will be available to view at all venues for the One Hundred Voices tour. Learn more about Ten Portraits here. Lead Artist and Script Nicola McCartney National Theatre of Scotland in partnership with Who Cares? Scotland and the National Library of Scotland, funded with an award from The National Lottery Heritage Fund Supported by The Weir Charitable Trust and The Rayne Foundation > ★★★★★ > *“deeply moving”* > > [Scots Gay Arts](https://scotsgayarts.com/2026/08/17/one-hundred-voices-the-fringe-review/) > > ★★★★ > > *“akin to a Kafkaesque escape room”* > > [The Herald](https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/26487148.fringe-one-hundred-voices-scottish-parliament-four-stars/) > > ★★★★ > > *“beautifully crafted”* > > [The Scotsman](https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/edinburgh-festivals/theatre-and-stage/fringe-theatre-reviews-boobytrapped-one-hundred-voices-acids-reign-i-think-i-hate-actors-diary-of-a-mad-man-8936536?r=546) > > ★★★★ > > *“immensely compelling”* > > [The Stage](https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/one-hundred-voices-review-scottish-parliament-edinburgh-national-theatre-of-scotland) > > [Watch the trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDlO24gmSSk) **Event Information** Audiences will move through the installation in groups of up to 4 people. Each audience member will receive a headset, which will deliver the audio guide instructing you to move through the installation. Audiences will stand or walk for the duration of the installation. If you use reading glasses please bring these with you. Space is limited within the installation, please do not bring any bags larger than an A4 sheet of paper with you. You will be briefed by the Front of House staff on what to expect, how to use the headsets, and given instructions should you wish to leave the experience. **Your Arrival** Please arrive at least **10 minutes** before your time slot and make yourself known to our Box Office team, please have your e-tickets or printed tickets ready. **Latecomers** Latecomers will **not be permitted** during this event. If you miss your time slot we will attempt to accommodate you at the next available time slot, however this will be subject to availability and may result in a long wait. There will be no-readmittance for attendees who leave the installation during the experience. **Content Warning** **Recommended for ages 14+**. Some stories contain references to sexual, physical and emotional harm as well as mental health and suicidal ideation. ***Caring Scotland*** also has two other strands: ***[Ten Portraits](https://www.crichton.co.uk/event/caring-scotland-ten-portraits-exhibition/)*** – a photographic exhibition by photographer **Chris Scott**. Chris is a Scottish photographer with a care-experienced background, whose style is contemporary with a dramatic and atmospheric feel. He will take individual portraiture photographs of ten of the personal story contributors during the project. ***The Sound Collection*** - all stories gathered from the listening project will be deposited in a new *Caring Scotland* oral history audio archive, housed in perpetuity at the National Library of Scotland for public access as well as excerpts being made available online via the NTS website. **Tickets** - Tickets are pay what you decide at £0, £5, £10 and £20

**Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries: 17th – 19th September 2026** **One Hundred Voices time slots run from:** 17th Sep 5 – 7 pm 18th Sep 6 – 8pm 19th Sep 12 noon – 3pm One Hundred Voices is an interactive, audio-guided installation, bringing creative insight into living in the care system. It serves as an artistic act of recognition and celebration of the one hundred testimonies recorded through the Caring Scotland project. Step into a guided immersive experience which walks you through an intimate landscape of memory, resilience and imagination, drawn from the lives of one hundred voices from Scotland’s Care Experienced community. Fragments of stories unfold across sound, light, and space, as the audience journeys through a series of spaces. This interactive installation transforms oral history into artistic encounters, and asks usto imagine together a more compassionate Scotland where every child is cherished,every voice amplified, every future honoured. One Hundred Voices is part of Caring Scotland, a three-year listening project led by acclaimed playwright Nicola McCartney documenting and recording the lives of Care Experienced people in Scotland. The One Hundred Voices installation opens at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on 12 August 2026 as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics 2026, before touring to Glasgow, Dumfries, Stranraer, Forfar and Glenrothes. Ten Portraits, one of the other strands of the Caring Scotland project, will be available to view at all venues for the One Hundred Voices tour. Learn more about Ten Portraits here. Lead Artist and Script Nicola McCartney National Theatre of Scotland in partnership with Who Cares? Scotland and the National Library of Scotland, funded with an award from The National Lottery Heritage Fund Supported by The Weir Charitable Trust and The Rayne Foundation > ★★★★★ > *“deeply moving”* > > [Scots Gay Arts](https://scotsgayarts.com/2026/08/17/one-hundred-voices-the-fringe-review/) > > ★★★★ > > *“akin to a Kafkaesque escape room”* > > [The Herald](https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/26487148.fringe-one-hundred-voices-scottish-parliament-four-stars/) > > ★★★★ > > *“beautifully crafted”* > > [The Scotsman](https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/edinburgh-festivals/theatre-and-stage/fringe-theatre-reviews-boobytrapped-one-hundred-voices-acids-reign-i-think-i-hate-actors-diary-of-a-mad-man-8936536?r=546) > > ★★★★ > > *“immensely compelling”* > > [The Stage](https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/one-hundred-voices-review-scottish-parliament-edinburgh-national-theatre-of-scotland) > > [Watch the trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDlO24gmSSk) **Event Information** Audiences will move through the installation in groups of up to 4 people. Each audience member will receive a headset, which will deliver the audio guide instructing you to move through the installation. Audiences will stand or walk for the duration of the installation. If you use reading glasses please bring these with you. Space is limited within the installation, please do not bring any bags larger than an A4 sheet of paper with you. You will be briefed by the Front of House staff on what to expect, how to use the headsets, and given instructions should you wish to leave the experience. **Your Arrival** Please arrive at least **10 minutes** before your time slot and make yourself known to our Box Office team, please have your e-tickets or printed tickets ready. **Latecomers** Latecomers will **not be permitted** during this event. If you miss your time slot we will attempt to accommodate you at the next available time slot, however this will be subject to availability and may result in a long wait. There will be no-readmittance for attendees who leave the installation during the experience. **Content Warning** **Recommended for ages 14+**. Some stories contain references to sexual, physical and emotional harm as well as mental health and suicidal ideation. ***Caring Scotland*** also has two other strands: ***[Ten Portraits](https://www.crichton.co.uk/event/caring-scotland-ten-portraits-exhibition/)*** – a photographic exhibition by photographer **Chris Scott**. Chris is a Scottish photographer with a care-experienced background, whose style is contemporary with a dramatic and atmospheric feel. He will take individual portraiture photographs of ten of the personal story contributors during the project. ***The Sound Collection*** - all stories gathered from the listening project will be deposited in a new *Caring Scotland* oral history audio archive, housed in perpetuity at the National Library of Scotland for public access as well as excerpts being made available online via the NTS website. **Tickets** - Tickets are pay what you decide at £0, £5, £10 and £20

Explore the stories of ten care-experienced individuals, captured by the dramatic and atmospheric portraiture of photographer Chris Scott. Inspired and informed by the personal stories of ten contributors to the [*Caring Scotland*](https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/projects/caring-scotland) project. Chris is a Scottish photographer with a care-experienced background, whose unobtrusive photography style captures the essence and personality of the people he photographs. *Ten Portraits* is part of [*Caring Scotland*](https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/projects/caring-scotland), a three-year listening project led by acclaimed playwright Nicola McCartney documenting and recording the lives of Care Experienced people in Scotland. *Ten Portraits* opens at **Inverness Museum** before touring to venues and gallery spaces across Scotland. [The One Hundred Voices](https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/events/one-hundred-voices) installation will also be touring to a number of venues alongside the *Ten Portraits* exhibition from Aug 2026 – Oct 2027. Photographer: **Chris Scott** **National Theatre of Scotland** in partnership with **Who Cares? Scotland** and the **National Library of Scotland**, funded with an award from **The National Lottery Heritage Fund** Supported by **The Weir Charitable Trust** and **The Rayne Foundation** *Caring Scotland* also has two other strands: [***One Hundred Voices*** ](https://www.crichton.co.uk/event/caring-scotland-one-hundred-voices/)is an interactive audio-guided installation giving a creative insight into living in the care system and is an artistic act of recognition and celebration of the one hundred testimonies the project has recorded. **The Sound Collection** – all stories gathered from the listening project will be deposited in a new Caring Scotland oral history audio archive, housed in perpetuity at the National Library of Scotland for public access as well as excerpts being made available online via the NTS website

**Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries: 17th – 19th September 2026** **One Hundred Voices time slots run from:** 17th Sep 5 – 7 pm 18th Sep 6 – 8pm 19th Sep 12 noon – 3pm One Hundred Voices is an interactive, audio-guided installation, bringing creative insight into living in the care system. It serves as an artistic act of recognition and celebration of the one hundred testimonies recorded through the Caring Scotland project. Step into a guided immersive experience which walks you through an intimate landscape of memory, resilience and imagination, drawn from the lives of one hundred voices from Scotland’s Care Experienced community. Fragments of stories unfold across sound, light, and space, as the audience journeys through a series of spaces. This interactive installation transforms oral history into artistic encounters, and asks usto imagine together a more compassionate Scotland where every child is cherished,every voice amplified, every future honoured. One Hundred Voices is part of Caring Scotland, a three-year listening project led by acclaimed playwright Nicola McCartney documenting and recording the lives of Care Experienced people in Scotland. The One Hundred Voices installation opens at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on 12 August 2026 as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics 2026, before touring to Glasgow, Dumfries, Stranraer, Forfar and Glenrothes. Ten Portraits, one of the other strands of the Caring Scotland project, will be available to view at all venues for the One Hundred Voices tour. Learn more about Ten Portraits here. Lead Artist and Script Nicola McCartney National Theatre of Scotland in partnership with Who Cares? Scotland and the National Library of Scotland, funded with an award from The National Lottery Heritage Fund Supported by The Weir Charitable Trust and The Rayne Foundation > ★★★★★ > *“deeply moving”* > > [Scots Gay Arts](https://scotsgayarts.com/2026/08/17/one-hundred-voices-the-fringe-review/) > > ★★★★ > > *“akin to a Kafkaesque escape room”* > > [The Herald](https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/26487148.fringe-one-hundred-voices-scottish-parliament-four-stars/) > > ★★★★ > > *“beautifully crafted”* > > [The Scotsman](https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/edinburgh-festivals/theatre-and-stage/fringe-theatre-reviews-boobytrapped-one-hundred-voices-acids-reign-i-think-i-hate-actors-diary-of-a-mad-man-8936536?r=546) > > ★★★★ > > *“immensely compelling”* > > [The Stage](https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/one-hundred-voices-review-scottish-parliament-edinburgh-national-theatre-of-scotland) > > [Watch the trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDlO24gmSSk) **Event Information** Audiences will move through the installation in groups of up to 4 people. Each audience member will receive a headset, which will deliver the audio guide instructing you to move through the installation. Audiences will stand or walk for the duration of the installation. If you use reading glasses please bring these with you. Space is limited within the installation, please do not bring any bags larger than an A4 sheet of paper with you. You will be briefed by the Front of House staff on what to expect, how to use the headsets, and given instructions should you wish to leave the experience. **Your Arrival** Please arrive at least **10 minutes** before your time slot and make yourself known to our Box Office team, please have your e-tickets or printed tickets ready. **Latecomers** Latecomers will **not be permitted** during this event. If you miss your time slot we will attempt to accommodate you at the next available time slot, however this will be subject to availability and may result in a long wait. There will be no-readmittance for attendees who leave the installation during the experience. **Content Warning** **Recommended for ages 14+**. Some stories contain references to sexual, physical and emotional harm as well as mental health and suicidal ideation. ***Caring Scotland*** also has two other strands: ***[Ten Portraits](https://www.crichton.co.uk/event/caring-scotland-ten-portraits-exhibition/)*** – a photographic exhibition by photographer **Chris Scott**. Chris is a Scottish photographer with a care-experienced background, whose style is contemporary with a dramatic and atmospheric feel. He will take individual portraiture photographs of ten of the personal story contributors during the project. ***The Sound Collection*** - all stories gathered from the listening project will be deposited in a new *Caring Scotland* oral history audio archive, housed in perpetuity at the National Library of Scotland for public access as well as excerpts being made available online via the NTS website. **Tickets** - Tickets are pay what you decide at £0, £5, £10 and £20

Explore the stories of ten care-experienced individuals, captured by the dramatic and atmospheric portraiture of photographer Chris Scott. Inspired and informed by the personal stories of ten contributors to the [*Caring Scotland*](https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/projects/caring-scotland) project. Chris is a Scottish photographer with a care-experienced background, whose unobtrusive photography style captures the essence and personality of the people he photographs. *Ten Portraits* is part of [*Caring Scotland*](https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/projects/caring-scotland), a three-year listening project led by acclaimed playwright Nicola McCartney documenting and recording the lives of Care Experienced people in Scotland. *Ten Portraits* opens at **Inverness Museum** before touring to venues and gallery spaces across Scotland. [The One Hundred Voices](https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/events/one-hundred-voices) installation will also be touring to a number of venues alongside the *Ten Portraits* exhibition from Aug 2026 – Oct 2027. Photographer: **Chris Scott** **National Theatre of Scotland** in partnership with **Who Cares? Scotland** and the **National Library of Scotland**, funded with an award from **The National Lottery Heritage Fund** Supported by **The Weir Charitable Trust** and **The Rayne Foundation** *Caring Scotland* also has two other strands: [***One Hundred Voices*** ](https://www.crichton.co.uk/event/caring-scotland-one-hundred-voices/)is an interactive audio-guided installation giving a creative insight into living in the care system and is an artistic act of recognition and celebration of the one hundred testimonies the project has recorded. **The Sound Collection** – all stories gathered from the listening project will be deposited in a new Caring Scotland oral history audio archive, housed in perpetuity at the National Library of Scotland for public access as well as excerpts being made available online via the NTS website

Anne Strathie is a researcher and writer of three biographies featuring Scotland’s Henry ‘Birdie’ Bowers (the first Scot to the South Pole) and other members of Scott’s *Terra Nova* expedition. This talk will draw on Anne’s latest book, *A History of Polar Exploration in 50 Objects*, and feature objects associated with Scottish explorers including James Weddell of Leith, John and James Clark Ross, Dr Harry Goodsir (Franklin expedition), John Rae, William Speirs Bruce, ‘Birdie’ Bowers, geologist James Wordie (*Endurance*)and Aberdeen’s James ‘Scout’ Marr. **Tickets** - General admission – £15 - RSGS member – Free - Students and Under 18s – Free

The Crichton Foundation invite you to attend their Annual General Meeting, taking place in Duncan Room 4, Easterbrook Hall on 23rd September. They would be delighted if you would join at 5pm, when there will be tea and coffee and cake to thank Convenor Andrew, who is retiring from his role with The Crichton Foundation.

Whatever age we are, many of us can get stuck in old habits, such as neglecting self-care, not getting enough good quality sleep and forgetting to move in ways that maintain our strength, balance and flexibility. Research evidence suggests that practicing mindfulness with yoga and qigong can help all these issues and increase our confidence, happiness and overall quality of life. As we get older we need to put a little more effort into taking care of ourselves, but this needn’t be difficult. In fact with yoga and qigong it can be quite fun. During this weekend you will learn some short, easy to do, gentle Chi Yoga and QiGong movements integrated with Mindfulness practice. You will be practicing along as part of a group of like minded people in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. So if you feel stuck in your old habits why not do something different? Come and join us for a weekend of movement, mindfulness and relaxation. This weekend is open to anyone who wishes to join. **Tutor:** Jacky Seery and Amy Copsey **Dates:** 26-27 September 2026 **Price:** £185.00 including manual **Times:** 10.00am- 17.00pm on Saturday and 9.15am-16.00pm on Sunday. **Venue:** The Crichton, Bankend Road, Dumfries, DG1 4TA. **Tickets** - £185 for the weekend

**Programme:** Brahms, B Major, op. 8 Interval Rachmaninov, Trio no 2, op. 9 **Benedict Kloeckner, cello** Benedict Kloeckner is one of the leading cellists of his generation. A prizewinner at major international competitions, he appears as a soloist with orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (London), Radio Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Deutsche Radiophilharmonie, NDR Radiophilharmonie, Mozarteum Orchester Salzburg, Kremerata Baltica, MDR Symphony Orchestra and the Munich Chamber Orchestra. He has worked with conductors such as Daniel Barenboim, Christoph Eschenbach, Michael Sanderling, Ingo Metzmacher, Vladimir Fedoseyev, Joana Mallwitz, Cristian Măcelaru and Sir Simon Rattle. Kloeckner has performed in halls including the Berlin Philharmonie, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Suntory Hall, the Musikverein, Zurich Tonhalle and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, and is a regular guest at international festivals. **Clémence de Forceville, violin** Clémence de Forceville is regarded as one of the most promising French violinists of her generation. Active as a soloist, chamber musician, concertmaster and teacher, she is recognised for her versatility and musical range. Born in 1991, she began violin at the age of four with Radu Blidar, winning her first international prizes at nine and giving early concert appearances. She studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris with Olivier Charlier, then continued her training in Germany with Antje Weithaas and Mihaela Martin. She has been selected for leading international masterclasses including Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute, IMS Prussia Cove and the Ozawa Academy, where she has worked with artists such as Daniel Barenboim, Eberhard Feltz, András Schiff, Alfred Brendel, Donald Weilerstein, Miriam Fried, Pamela Frank and Zakhar Bron. **Oxana Shevchenko, piano** Oxana Shevchenko is internationally recognised as a pianist of outstanding artistry, sensibility and versatility, in demand as both a soloist and chamber musician. In 2010 she won First Prize at the Scottish International Piano Competition. Following her success, she recorded her debut album for Delphian Records (released 2011) featuring works by Shostakovich, Mozart, Liszt and Ravel. Her competition honours include First Prize at the International Premio Franz Liszt Competition (Italy, 2015), First Prize and Gold Medal at the Chappell Piano Competition (UK, 2013), and First Prize at the Sheepdrove Piano Competition (UK, 2012). She has also received prizes at the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition (Italy), the Sydney International Piano Competition (Australia), the Sendai International Music Competition (Japan) and the China International Piano Competition (Shanghai). **Tickets** - Full – £20 + booking fee - Under 26s – free

One of Ireland’s most popular music acts, ***The Tumbling Paddies*** are now coming to Scotland! Song writing and original material is a major part of their success. Hit songs include *Pretty Girl*, *Night On The Town* and *The Way I Am*, which topped the Irish charts for 10 consecutive weeks. Having grown from strength to strength over the past few years, it is no surprise that their music is being played in venues all over the world. Formed in 2014 in their beloved County Fermanagh, they soon became the region’s favourite covers band. After welcoming Oisin on keyboards, the band started to write and record their own original music, gaining more and more followers. ***The Tumbling Paddies*** soon became one of Ireland’s most prolific touring acts, playing sell-out gigs all over the country, including TF Castlebar and the INEC in Killarney. The band are now enjoying global success with recent tours in Dubai, Germany, and Spain. With an exuberant, energy-filled, live show, ***The Tumbling Paddies***, will perform a mix of original songs and classic Irish hits, in what promises to be an incredibly uplifting night of live music. Support from 7.30pm – 8.15pm; The Tumbling Paddies from 8.30pm -10.30pm [Watch the trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UUpqtNts-s) Join us for dinner before the show in Easterbrook Bistro. Call on 01387 219081 or [click here](https://www.easterbrookbistro.co.uk/bar-and-restaurant/) to book. **Tickets** - £24

**Artists and designers love the possibilities of using and working with glass.** *We have had a long love affair with glass. It inspires us with its beauty, surprises us with its versatility, challenges us with its complex physical properties.* *Glass is performance art…from its fluidity to the way it scatters light in space.* But it is rare to find galleries hosting exhibitions devoted to these new trends. In 2024 2 Temple Place on London’s Embankment bucked the trend with a ground-breaking exhibition, *The Glass Heart*, showcasing works by leading glass artists, and receiving rave reviews. This lecture offers an in-depth introduction to the work of three very different artists, American Dale Chihuly, English James Maskrey and Ghanian Anthony Amoako Attah, all of whom have work in London’s V &A. Chihuly made the headlines in London with the V &A chandelier (2001) and his enormous boundary-pushing outdoor glass sculpture installation in Kew Gardens (2019). Maskrey not only works with artists in other disciplines, such as the Kenyan-born, Surrey-based Magdalene Odundo, to create stunning glass, but also produces outstanding work in his own right, including sensitive and quirky representations of historical events. Ghanian-born Amoako-Attah’s is inspired by Ghanian Kente textiles which he recreates using the medium of screen-printed glass. In 2022 he was Artist of the Fair at Collect, London, the leading international showcase for contemporary art and design. The lecture offers the opportunity to admire incredible skill, innovative applications of traditional and contemporary techniques, and outstanding artistic vision. It includes explanations of the techniques used and the rationale behind the works. **Dr Susan Wood** is a cultural historian and practising artist. Her PhD in German (Sheffield) and career as University Lecturer involved researching and publishing widely. She gave over 60 international conference papers on German and European culture. Her MA in German Art (Courtauld Institute) and MA in Glass (Sunderland) give her both an academic and a practical background for her talks. Guests are warmly welcomed at lectures, in person or online. Guest tickets are £10 and are available on the door, on the [TASDAG](http://www.tasdag.org.uk/) website or at [Midsteeple Box Office](http://www.dgboxoffice.co.uk/). **Tickets** - £10 – guest tickets

A fun packed day of wellness. Six zones and over 50 sessions to choose from with a very special end to the day with a dark skies experience Set in the beautiful and serene grounds of The Crichton Estate, Vivacity is a one-day celebration of wellbeing, nature and community. ​Join for uplifting experiences and expert led sessions promoting movement, healing, creativity and connection across indoor and outdoor zones. The programme includes fitness sessions, pilates, yoga, sauna, cold plunge, sound baths, breathwork, one to one practitioner sessions, talks on women’s and men’s health and creative workshops. Food, drinks and wellness market, as well as outdoor activities such as archery, axe throwing and the finale evening session with live music, DJ and dark skies experience. Immerse yourself in a day dedicated to wellbeing, connection and inspiration. You choose what you want to do and when you want to do it! **Tickets** - From £56 + booking fee - Early bird discounts apply – limited time only

**Programme:** * Beethoven, Sonata No. 5 in C minor, Op. 10 No. 1 * Schubert, Impromptus, D 899, Op. 90 * Interval * Schubert, Allegretto in C minor, D 915 * Beethoven, Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111 **Artists:** Manami Suzuki, piano **Manami Suzuki, piano** Manami Suzuki is a multi-award-winning Japanese pianist. At just 22 years old, she made history in 2024 as the first Japanese pianist and the first female pianist to win the prestigious Hamamatsu International PianoCompetition in Japan, alongside the Chamber Music Award and Audience Prize. Suzuki has performed with the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, and Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, and over the next season she will make her debut with the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa, Hamamatsu Symphony, Osaka Philharmonic and Gunma Symphony Orchestras. Her solo recital playing continues to flourish at internationally renowned venues and festivals including the Duszniki International Chopin Piano Festival in Warsaw, Kioi Hall in Tokyo, Beppu Argerich Music Festival, and Cincinnati Memorial Hall, Ohio, as well as her London debut at Kings Place. Manami Suzuki was born in Osaka Prefecture, Japan, in 2002 where she started playing the piano at the age of four. After graduating from the music department of Osaka Prefectural Yuhigaoka High School, she graduated from the Tokyo College of Music (Piano Performer Course) as a scholarship student. She is currently a student at the Tokyo College of Music Graduate School Master Course as a special scholarship student. She won First Prize in the Hupfer Division of the 27th HUPFER Tosu Piano Competition and received Fourth Prize in the piano division of the 32nd Takarazuka Vega Music Competition. Every year since 2020, she has appeared in the “Tokyo College of Music Piano Concert by Piano Performers Course Outstanding Students”. She also participated in the Hamamatsu International Piano Academy 2023 and 2024. **Tickets** - Full – £20 (+ booking fee) - Under 26s – free

A hugely popular speaker, Mark returns to explain how, in 2023, after a month of serious trekking through the mountains and wilderness of the awe-inspiring Cascade Range in America’s Pacific Northwest, it struck him as a good idea to cycle back home to the UK. Finding himself near the town of Boring, Oregon, he felt compelled to ride to the village of Dull, in Scotland, joining together two unlikely communities that are “paired for the ages” through their tedious names. And to make it more interesting, he went via Iceland! What unfolded was a unique trans-continental adventure of almost 4,000 miles, brought about by coincidence and an eye for opportunity. **Tickets are also available to buy at the door with cash or card** **Tickets** - General admission – £15 - RSGS member – Free - Students and Under 18s – Free

**Ever since the French revolution there has developed a vicious, cretinizing tendency to consider a genius (apart from his work) as a human being more or less the same in every sense as other ordinary mortals. This is wrong. And if this is wrong for me, the genius of the greatest spiritual order or our day, a true modern genius, it is even more wrong when applied to those who incarnated the almost divine genius of the Renaissance, such as Raphael.** Salvador Dalí, *Diary of a Genius* (1964) Raphael’s is one of the most famous names in art history, and until the late 19th century to emulate him was the goal for most artists succeeding him. Yet today he is not as well known as this might suggest. Is this because his biography is less dramatic than Caravaggio’s? or his career less tormented than Michelangelo’s? or is it because his qualities are difficult to define – the elusive qualities of grace, harmony and idealised beauty. This lecture asks “what is the magic of Raphael?” It takes a fresh look at Raphael, exploring what he achieved, and looking, as if for the first time, at the beauty and grace of his work. It will examine his astonishing ability to grow and transform himself over the years of his career, and whose tragically early death leaves us wondering – had he lived, what would have come next? **Dr Chantal Brotherton Ratcliff** studied the History of Art at Edinburgh University and gained her PhD from the Warburg Institute, London University. With 40 years’ experience as a lecturer, Chantal has taught at Sotheby’s Institute of Art on the MA in Fine and Decorative Arts since 1989, and as a freelance lecturer for a number of societies and institutions in London, including the National Gallery and the Wallace Collection. Having also trained as a paintings conservator, she brings an understanding of the making and the physical painting to her lectures and study sessions. Guests are warmly welcomed at lectures, in person or online. Guest tickets are £10 and are available on the door, on the [TASDAG](http://www.tasdag.org.uk/) website or at [Midsteeple Box Office](http://www.dgboxoffice.co.uk/). **Tickets** - £10 – guest tickets

For more than 20 years, Skerryvore have been captivating audiences with their unique blend of traditional Scottish music and contemporary rock. Formed on the Isle of Tiree, the multi-award-winning eight-piece are renowned for their electrifying live performances and infectious energy that has seen them recognised as Scotland’s *Live Act of the Year* a record-breaking 4 times. This special appearance forms part of the band’s *Beautiful Mistakes* album tour. Produced by Jamie Squire, widely known as the “fifth member” of The 1975, *Beautiful Mistakes* captures the warmth, musicianship and spirit that have made Skerryvore one of Scotland’s most celebrated live acts. **Tickets also available at Midsteeple Box Office [online](https://www.ticketsource.com/easterbrook-hall/skerryvore/e-bpxdqo), by calling 01387 253383 and in person** **Accessible tickets can be purchased direct from Midsteeple Box Office on 01387 253 383** Join us in our Pre-Show pub for delicious food and a drink or two before the gig! Call us on 01387 219090 to book. £15 per person, payable at time of booking **Tickets** - £30 - + booking fee **Please note:** Over 14s standing. All under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

**Programme:** Piazzolla, Fugata & Oblivion Rachmaninoff, Vocalise Brahms Intermezzo in A Major Op 118, No. 2 (piano solo) Brahms Sonata in E Flat Major *Interval* Gershwin, Summertime & It ain’t necessarily so Chopin, Grande Waltz Brillante in Eb Major Op. 18 Scott, Respectfully Yours Watson, Rhapsody on an echo chamber **Artists:** Huw Wiggin, saxophone & Noriko Ogawa, piano **Huw Wiggin, saxophone** Huw Wiggin is a British saxophonist who has performed at major venues worldwide, including the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing, Wigmore Hall, and the Royal Albert Hall. Following his debut at the Purcell Room, The Times praised his “liquid gold tones and enviable breath control.” He was awarded First Prize and Gold Medal at the Royal Over-Seas League Annual Music Competition, where he was also named ‘Commonwealth Musician of the Year’. Since then, he has established a distinguished career as both soloist and chamber musician. His debut recording Reflections (Orchid Classics), with pianist John Lenehan, reached No. 2 in the UK Specialist Classical Chart, followed by Rhapsody (2023) with pianist Noriko Ogawa. His latest album, Elements (2026), is a collaboration with harpist Oliver Wass, featuring six new commissions alongside Baroque works for saxophone and harp. **Noriko Ogawa, piano** Noriko Ogawa has achieved considerable renown throughout the world since her success at the Leeds International Piano Competition. Noriko’s “ravishingly poetic playing” (Telegraph) sets her apart from her contemporaries and acclaim for her complete Debussy series with BIS Records (“If you like your Debussy to sound like the musical equivalent of a chilled white wine, Noriko Ogawa is the pianist for you” Roger Vignoles, BBC Radio 3, CD Review), confirms her as a fine Debussy specialist. As an exclusive recording artist for BIS Records, Noriko’s most recent discs were music by Xiaogang Ye with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, released in June 2022, and the fifth volume in her series of Erik Satie’s piano music, released in March 2022. Ranging from Mozart, Rachmaninov, Satie, Debussy to contemporary composers including Alexander Tcherepnin, Vagn Holmboe, and Yoshihiro Kanno, Noriko boasts a prolific catalogue of over 30 albums. Her discography includes Takemitsu’s Riverrun (Editor’s Choice, Gramophone), Mussorgsky’s Pictures from an Exhibition (Critics’ Choice, BBC Music Magazine), critically acclaimed Debussy’s complete piano music, and a complete set of Eric Satie’s music for solo piano. **Tickets** - Full – £20 (+ booking fee) - Under 26s – free

The tours will reveal some of the fascinating characters and events associated with The Crichton from its earliest beginnings, including an insight into the life of Elizabeth Crichton and the history of Easterbrook Hall. From there, guests will have a unique opportunity to explore The Crichton Memorial Church, Crypt and Undercroft, where they will discover the story of this beautiful building, view historical artefacts and hear a collection of ghostly tales and legends connected with The Crichton. BOOKING ESSENTIAL – Meet outside Easterbrook Hall at 7pm Age guide 8 and above Mobility restricted – please contact the team for more info. please wear practical footwear Please note some dates are reserved for private tour groups. If you would like a private group tour please get in touch. **Tickets** - Standard – £18.00 - Child/Student – £16.00 - Family (2+2) – £52.00 - + booking fees

Sir Ernest Shackleton remains one of the most inspiring leadership figures and best loved polar explorers of all time. We hear a lot about his various expeditions, but less perhaps about that fact that Shackleton lived and worked in Scotland for a formative period of his life. Join our Chief Executive who will shed light on Shackleton’s life and his connections. It will outline the fundamental role of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society and how Shackleton’s connections in Scotland played such a crucial part in furthering his aspirations and future endeavours. ***\*Tickets are also available to buy at the door with cash or card*** **Tickets** - General admission – £15 - RSGS member – Free - Students and Under 18s – Free

Join Thornhill-based florists Blossom + Bloom for an evening of festive crafting, making your very own Christmas wreath in Easterbrook Bistro, Bar & Spa. Ticket price includes all materials and a festive food platter to enjoy during the evening. Call us on 01387 219090 to book your places – limited to 12 per session. **Tickets** - £60 per person - to include all materials and festive food platter

Join Thornhill-based florists Blossom + Bloom for an evening of festive crafting, making your very own Christmas wreath in Easterbrook Bistro, Bar & Spa. Ticket price includes all materials and a festive food platter to enjoy during the evening. Call us on 01387 219090 to book your places – limited to 12 per session. **Tickets** - £60 per person - to include all materials and festive food platter

**The Farmers’ Choir in Concert – Supporting Maggie’s Dumfries** Join **The** **Farmers’ Choir** for a special evening of musical theatre and popular music at Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries, **raising funds towards the development of a new Maggie’s Centre in Dumfries.** Formed in 2013 for the SAYFC (Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs) 75th Anniversary Concert, the **Farmers’ Choir** first brought together 160 members for a one-off performance at the OVO Hydro, Glasgow. Since then, they have performed at many events across Scotland, including regular appearances at the Royal Highland Show, raising money for many charitable causes along the way. Members come from across Scotland including Ayrshire, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Campbeltown, Dumfries & Galloway, Fife, Lanarkshire, Loch Lomond and Perthshire – making this a truly unique choir. **Maggie’s Dumfries** is currently in the development and planning stage and will be situated in the grounds of **DGRI.** Fittingly, this project coincides with the **30th Anniversary of Maggie’s Centres**, making this concert especially meaningful. **Tickets** - £22 - + booking fee

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers are back in Dumfries! For those of you not familiar with the band, they’ve reach incredible heights over the last 15 years with their ground-breaking fusion of traditional Scottish music and rock/pop anthems which they proudly call ‘Bagrock’. Bagpipes with attitude, drums with a Scottish accent and a show so fierce it should carry a government health warning! The Red Hot Chilli Pipers are the most famous bagpipe band on the planet. [Watch the trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIvzPoA-Vq0) **Tickets** - £42.50 - plus booking fee

We’ve told supernatural tales at midwinter for a very long time. In this talk Kirsty Hartsiotis takes us back to the earliest winter tales of the Middle Ages and the age of Shakespeare and Marlowe. We then explore the lost years of the 17th and 18th centuries, where it’s often thought that Christmas wasn’t celebrated much – but ghost tales at Christmas-tide were very part of the season. In the 19th century many traditional Christmas ghost tales were collected, and even now it’s considered one of the spookiest times of the years. We draw on midwinter tales from all around Britain in this talk and explore links with European midwinter traditions. This is a special Christmas lecture that draws on Kirsty’s long experience as an oral storyteller and writer and teller of local ghost and folk tales. You may well come away with a shiver running down your spine and with seasonally spooky stories to share around your fireside at Christmas! **Kirsty Hartsiotis** was the curator of the decorative and fine art at The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum, Cheltenham from 2008 to 2023. She is currently a curator at Swindon Museums, where she also worked prior to 2008. At Cheltenham she looked after the Designated Arts and Crafts Movement collection, which includes the important private press archive, the Emery Walker Library. She’s curated many exhibitions on the Arts and Crafts and Private Press Movements, including Ernest Gimson: Observation, Imagination & Making. Passionate about sharing her deep love for and knowledge of the arts, she’s also a freelance researcher, currently researching Arts and Crafts war memorials and the work of Arts and Crafts designers in churches in the South West. She’s also been an oral storyteller for over 20 years, and has published a number of collections of stories. She’s the Editor of the Journal of William Morris Studies, and was the newsletter editor for Society of Decorative Art Collections. She is a regular columnist for Cotswold Life, and writes for diverse other publications on art history and folklore. Guests are warmly welcomed at lectures, in person or online. Guest tickets are £10 and are available on the door, on the [TASDAG](http://www.tasdag.org.uk/) website or at [Midsteeple Box Office](http://www.dgboxoffice.co.uk/). **Tickets** - £10 – guest tickets

**We are delighted to announce our Christmas Party Nights for 2026!** Kick start the festivities at Easterbrook Hall this December as we offer a choice of three party nights this year. Friday 11th December – Two-course carvery and entertainment from [Jingles Disco](https://www.facebook.com/jinglesweddingdisco). Friday 18th and Saturday 19th December – Two-course carvery with live music from *Word of Mouth* – an exciting live band led by front man Grant Dinwoodie, guaranteed to fill the dancefloor. Get in touch to book your places – call us on 01387 219090 or email [events@crichton.co.uk.](mailto:events@crichton.co.uk) *10% discount for Blue Light cardholders.* £10 deposit per person **Tickets** - Friday 11th December – £41.95 per person - Friday 18th and Saturday 19th – £46.95 per person

**Regular Music presents Tide Lines plus special guest Calum Bowie** 🎉 10 YEARS OF TIDE LINES! 🎉 We’ve taken our 10 year celebrations all around Europe and spent the summer playing festivals across the UK, but there are still a few parts of Scotland we’ve missed on our travels this year… So we’re hitting the road again! We’re heading your way for a few more shows before 2026 is out, with our good friend Calum Bowie opening the shows. Tide Lines are a band whose story stretches from the wild expanses of the Scottish Highlands to the beating heart of Glasgow. In June 2025, they celebrated a landmark moment with their fourth album Glasgow Love Story via their own Tide Lines Music label, which landed at No.1 in Scotland and No.11 in the UK Official Album Charts — their highest UK chart position to date and third Scottish No.1. Across three earlier albums — from the sweeping romanticism of Dreams We Never Lost through to 2023’s An Ocean Full of Islands (which charted at No.13 in the UK and No.1 in Scotland) — Tide Lines built a reputation for expansive, anthemic songs and magnetic live performances. 2024 was a milestone year: three euphoric nights at Glasgow’s legendary Barrowland Ballroom, 14 summer festival appearances across the UK, a sold-out European run through the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany. They closed the year with a 14,000-ticket Scottish tour that included a triumphant return to the Usher Hall. Now, as they mark 10 years together, the story continues with the recently released Glasgow Love Story, an album rooted not in island remoteness but in the pulse of the city they now call home. [See Tickets](https://www.seetickets.com/event/tide-lines/easterbrook-hall/3702274) [Ticketmaster](https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/tide-lines-dumfries-12-12-2026/event/36006519EC6E8CD4) [Gigantic](https://www.gigantic.com/tide-lines-tickets/dumfries-easterbrook-halls/2026-12-12-19-00?_gl=1*11ktpdf*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTI5MDc1MzIyMy4xNzg4MjU3NTA0*_ga_W7LK85M6MC*czE3ODgyNTc1MDMkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODgyNTc1MDMkajYwJGwwJGgw) **Tickets also available at Midsteeple Box Office [online](https://www.ticketsource.com/booking/t-xdyzvjy), by calling 01387 253383 and in person** **Accessible tickets can be purchased direct from Midsteeple Box Office on 01387 253 383** Stalls – General admission standing. Over 14s only. Platform – Reserved Seating. Over 5s only. All under 16s to be accompanied by an adult. What better way to spend a Saturday night just before Christmas than with a delicious Christmas carvery followed by spectacular music from the one and only Tide Lines! Tell your friends and colleagues and join us for the perfect pre-Christmas treat! Booking for carvery open now! – Call us on 01387 219090 **Tickets for Tide Lines on sale on Friday 4th September at 10am.** **Tickets** - £35 - + booking fee

This Christmas, Sempre Amabile presents a rich and thoughtfully woven programme of music celebrating both the season and the many facets of the human experience. Alongside beautiful sacred works by John Rutter and Benjamin Britten, audiences will enjoy timeless favourites from the American Songbook, bringing warmth, nostalgia and sparkle to the festive season. The programme also features carefully curated sacred and secular music reflecting life from a woman’s perspective — music of joy, strength, tenderness, hope and reflection — performed with the signature warmth and musical sensitivity for which Sempre Amabile is known. Full programme TBC. **Artists:** Sempre Amabile, choir **Sempre Amabile, choir** Founded in 2018, Sempre Amabile is a women’s choir based in Kendal, formed largely by former members of the Amabile Choirs family. The choir shares a love of choral singing of a high standard, enjoying concerts, competitions and the companionship that comes from making music together. In October 2025, Sempre Amabile enjoyed considerable success at the Isle of Man Festival of Choirs, winning the Ladies’ Choir class, the Open Category and the overall Choir of the Festival award. The choir is also very pleased to have been accepted to take part in the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in July 2026. Recent collaborations have included performances with Solway Singers, and the choir is looking forward to singing with Bechgyn Bro Taf, the Cardiff-based male voice choir. Sempre Amabile enjoys singing music from a wide range of styles and periods, from madrigals to musical theatre. At the heart of the choir’s music-making is a love of the relationship between words and music, and a desire to communicate both clearly and honestly to an audience. The choir particularly enjoys exploring the colour and flexibility of its sound in response to different repertoire. **Charlotte Jackson, musical director** Charlotte Jackson has made a significant contribution to choral music through her work as founder of Amabile Choirs, Musical Director of Sempre Amabile and founder of Lyris for Women in Carlisle. Having stepped away from teaching singing in schools, her focus is now on directing Sempre Amabile, shaping the Senior Choir at Austin Friars School and developing her work with women’s voices through Lyris. This includes individual consultations, small group online sessions and her women’s choir. Her work is rooted in a commitment to musical excellence, alongside a belief in the importance of connection and shared experience in singing. Under her direction, Sempre Amabile has become known for its thoughtful programming and finely shaped performances, while the Amabile Choirs have provided a supportive and structured environment for young singers to develop. Charlotte works with both experienced singers and those returning to their voices, creating a space that is both musically rigorous and warmly inclusive. Her work continues to centre on the development of the individual voice within the collective sound and on the lasting value of singing together. **David Battersby, pianist** David Battersby is a distinguished accompanist known for his exceptional talent and dedication to the art of music. Having honed his skills at the prestigious London College of Music and the Royal College of Music, he has garnered numerous accolades, awards, and bursaries throughout his illustrious career. Under the tutelage of Martino Trimiro at Morley College, David further refined his craft, enabling him to perform at major musical venues across the country. His upcoming schedule includes a performance at Classically Lowther in July 2026, and he is in high demand as an accompanist for soloists and ensembles across the North West. David’s contributions to the Amabile Choirs exemplify his commitment to excellence in music and his ability to elevate every performance with his artistry. **Tickets** - Full – £20 (+ booking fee) - Under 26s – free

The Scottish Christmas Songbook is a joyful festive concert featuring Eddi Reader, Karen Matheson, John McCusker, Kris Drever, Ian Carr, Kevin McGuire and the Scottish Christmas Songbook Brass Ensemble. Bursting with seasonal favourites and celebratory energy, it’s the perfect night out to get you straight into the Christmas spirit. **Tickets** - £29 - + booking fee

**Regular Music presents The Proclaimers plus special guests** 2026 will see **The Proclaimers** return with a new album recorded in the spring and back out live from early summer. Strikingly individual, twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid emerged 31 years ago with their debut album This Is The Story and Top 3 single ‘Letter from America’. Since then their enduring appeal across generations has have over the years seen them enjoy huge success across the globe The Proclaimers songs are timeless, capturing a gamut of human emotions, written with poignancy, emotional honesty, political fire and wit. Their songs feature at weddings, funerals and everything in-between and there is one song, an early celebration of falling head over heels in love that is known the world over and has become a staggering global anthem. There are many others that have gained great popularity in different parts of the planet and then there is a wide cross section of sublime songs embraced by a multitude that has kept up with The Proclaimers studio albums, compilation collections and extensive touring over three decades. 2018 had seen their ‘Angry Cyclist’ album released to immense acclaim, becoming their 8th UK, Top 40 album debuting in the UK Official Album charts at 17 and at number 3 in the UK Official Independent Album Charts. **The Proclaimers** songs are timeless, capturing a gamut of human emotions, written with poignancy, emotional honesty, political fire and wit. Their songs feature at weddings, funerals and everything in-between and there is one song, an early celebration of falling head over heels in love that is known the world over and has become a staggering global anthem. There are many others that have gained great popularity in different parts of the planet and then there is a wide cross section of sublime songs embraced by a multitude that has kept up with The Proclaimers studio albums, compilation collections and extensive touring over three decades. The Proclaimers have carved out a niche for themselves in the netherworld where pop, folk, new wave and punk collide. In the process, they have enjoyed Gold and Platinum singles and albums in UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. They have even inspired a musical, the play and film Sunshine on Leith. The movie was the fifth highest grossing Independent UK film of 2013. The stage version of the musical continues to be performed regularly to sell out crowds by productions throughout the UK and Ireland. ***Over 14s only (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18). Max 6 tickets per customer.*** **SOLD OUT** – [Midsteeple Box Office](https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/easterbrook-hall/regular-music-presents-skipinnish/e-bgzaly)[/](https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/easterbrook-hall/regular-music-presents-the-proclaimers/e-pdergp)[Ticket Source](https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/easterbrook-hall/regular-music-presents-skipinnish/e-bgzaly) – for accessible tickets please contact Midsteeple on 01387 253383 [Ticketmaster](https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/the-proclaimers-dumfries-17-12-2026/event/36006374EF03B41E) [See Tickets](https://www.seetickets.com/event/the-proclaimers/easterbrook-hall/3556557) [Gigantic](https://www.gigantic.com/the-proclaimers-tickets/dumfries-easterbrook-halls/2026-12-17-19-30) [Midsteeple Box Office](https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/easterbrook-hall/regular-music-presents-the-proclaimers/e-pdergp) **Tickets** - £47.50 - plus booking fee

**We are delighted to announce our Christmas Party Nights for 2026!** Kick start the festivities at Easterbrook Hall this December as we offer a choice of three party nights this year. Friday 11th December – Two-course carvery and entertainment from [Jingles Disco](https://www.facebook.com/jinglesweddingdisco). Friday 18th and Saturday 19th December – Two-course carvery with live music from *Word of Mouth* – an exciting live band led by front man Grant Dinwoodie, guaranteed to fill the dancefloor. Get in touch to book your places – call us on 01387 219090 or email [events@crichton.co.uk.](mailto:events@crichton.co.uk) *10% discount for Blue Light cardholders.* £10 deposit per person **Tickets** - Friday 11th December – £41.95 per person - Friday 18th and Saturday 19th – £46.95 per person

**Programme:** Mozart, Twelve Variations on “Ah vous dirai-je, Maman” Beethoven, Piano Sonata No.15 D major Op. 28 (Pastoral) Interval Liszt, Six Consolations Khachaturian, Vocalise , Lullaby from Gayane, Adagio from Spartacus, Sabre Dance **Artist:** Iyad Sughayer, piano **Iyad Sughayer, piano** Chosen as ‘One to Watch’ by International Piano Magazine, Iyad’s debut album Khachaturian Piano Works for BIS Records was described by Gramophone as “…exhilarating and delivered with perfect clarity…” and “…an outstanding debut…” by BBC Music Magazine. Iyad’s second recording for BIS with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Andrew Litton was released to critical acclaim in autumn 2022. In October 2025, Iyad will record the third and final disc, completing the complete piano music of Khachaturian on BIS. Nominated as a 2022 ‘Rising Star’ by Classic FM, Iyad was a prize-winner at the Young Classical Artists Trust international auditions in 2021. During the 2024/25 season Iyad made his debut in Bogota in Colombia, as well as undertaking his first professional tour of North America, including debut recitals in Toronto, Middlebury College Vermont, University of South Florida, Northeastern College in California where he was chosen as the Dewing Artist at Mills College. Previous highlights include Iyad’s return to the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, performances at major venues such as the Berlin Konzerthaus, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Wigmore Hall, Laeiszhalle Hamburg, and the Bridgewater Hall, as well as appearances at leading UK festivals including Brighton, Bath and Lake District Summer Music. He has also featured in prominent recital series at the Royal Concert Hall Nottingham, Perth Concert Hall, and Leeds Town Hall. **Tickets** - Full – £20 (+ booking fee) - Under 26s – free

John, descended from one of Edinburgh’s most distinguished mapmaking families, draws on his book, *Mapping the Pentland Hills*, to explore how generations of mapmakers captured this much-loved landscape and, in doing so, revealed changing attitudes to geography, settlement, land use and natural resources. From the earliest surviving maps to modern cartographic interpretations, he traces how the Pentlands have been perceived, recorded and transformed over nearly four centuries. Combining a lifelong passion for cartography with a deep affection for the Pentlands, this highly visual and thought-provoking talk offers a fascinating journey through time. Offering a fresh perspective on a familiar Scottish landscape, it invites audiences to see the hills through the eyes of those who mapped them. ***\*Tickets are also available to buy at the door with cash or card*** **Tickets** - General admission – £15 - RSGS member – Free - Students and Under 18s – Free

Contemporary Irish folk group Onóir formed in 2020, when Donegal musicians; Tom McHugh, Declan Gaughan, Deane Connaghan, and Diarmaid McGee, joined forces to create a contemporary version of the famous Irish folk ballad; “The Auld Triangle”, the video went on to be seen by over 3 million people worldwide. These talented musicians with distinctive vocal styles are setting new standards with incredible musical arrangements and harmonies that mark them out as unique. Onóir are selling out venues in record time as their impassioned audiences are taken on a musical odyssey. From their new take on traditional Irish ballads all the way through to up-tempo modern Irish classics. From tears to laughter, enjoy the onstage chemistry, excitement, and banter in a show not to be missed. > “Onóir – A Donegal Powerhouse” – Mark Lysaght, Irish Music Magazine (September 2025) **Tickets** - £35 - + booking fee

**Programme:** Bach, Sonata for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord in G Major, BWV 1027 Rameau, Gavotte et six Doubles Ligeti, Sonata for Solo Cello Interval Stravinsky, Suite Italienne Piazzolla, Le Grand Tango **Artists:** Ivan Sendetsky, cello & Vladimir Stupnikov, accordion **Ivan Sendetsky, cello** Presently studying with Josephine Knight at London’s Royal Academy of Music and Danjulo Ishizaka at the Hochschule für Musik Basel, Ivan Sendetsky is a graduate of the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin and the New England Conservatory. He won top prizes at the Grunewald Competition in 2024, Vienna Music Competition (2024), Schoenfeld Competition (Harbin, 2023) and Tchaikovsky Competition (2023). As a chamber musician, he performs in the SenS Duo with accordionist Vladimir Stupnikov. Besides appearing at the Verbier, Schlern, Vivacello and Avilés festivals, his concert engagements have taken him to major Russian concert halls, Vienna Musikverein, Philharmonie Berlin and Tonhalle Zürich. Having collaborated with conductors such as David Geringas, Teodor Currentzis and Pablo Heras-Casado, he has performed with artists like Aylen Pritchin and Konstantin Emelyanov. **Vladimir Stupnikov, accordion** Vladimir Stupnikov is one of the brightest representatives of the young generation of accordionists, winner of many international competitions, musician who performs on the most prestigious concert stages of the world, active member of different musical ensembles. Vladimir was born on the 31st of August, 1996 in Ufa, Russia. In 2009, he graduated with honours from Music School №5 where he was taught by R.Hamatiarov. After that, he moved to Saint Petersburg in order to attend the Special Music School as a student of professor Dmitriev A. At the age of 12 Vladimir won his first prize at the International competition in St. Petersburg. Since that time, he has started his successful musical career. Every year he wins international competitions, takes part in different festivals and concerts in Russia and abroad. Several times, he performed at “International Accordion Festival” in St.Petersburg. Vladimir is a prize-winner of more than 20 International competitions, including the Competition of Accordionists in Сastelfidardo (Italy 2011, 1st prize), Competition of Accordionists in Klingenthal (Germany, 2014, 1st prize), Trophee Mondial (Switzerland 2015, 1st prize), Coupe Mondiale (Finland 2017, 1st prize), Competition of Accordionists in Mons (Belgium 2017, 1st prize). **Tickets** - Full £20 (+ booking fee) - Under 26s – free

Isolated by natural barriers, Chile is remarkable for its geographical and biological diversity, with the world’s driest desert, highest volcanoes and physical dimensions that frustrate cartographers – this talk brings together a unique blend of cultural observations, geographical description, and remarkable landscapes. A keen observer of landscape and people, Bruce Gittings is enthralled by Chile and will be sharing his passion for this intriguing country, arguing that Chile’s culture owes as much to Britain as it does to Spain, and that its recent history remains shaped by the descendent of a French immigrant. ***\*Tickets are also available to buy at the door with cash or card*** **Tickets** - General admission – £15 - RSGS member – Free - Students and Under 18s – Free

**Tigerslane Studios presents Murder Trial Tonight V – Death in the Family** Murder Trial Tonight returns after four previous sold-out seasons with its most gripping case yet. Murder Trial Tonight V: Death in the Family brings a chilling true story that shocked the world to the stage. A devoted mother and wife is found murdered in her own kitchen – and a member of her own family stands accused. In this immersive courtroom experience, you become part of the jury. Watch and listen as the prosecution and defence present every twist, every argument, and every piece of evidence. Then, it’s your turn to decide. Cast your verdict live via QR code and help determine the outcome. But the real question is – did you get it right? Once the audience verdict is in, the truth behind the real-life case is revealed on the big screen. Prepare for a night of tension, drama, and moral dilemma where every decision counts. **Tickets also on sale through [See Tickets](https://www.seetickets.com/event/murder-trial-tonight-v-death-in-the-family/easterbrook-hall/3632323).** **Tickets** - £29; £35; £42; £47.50 - + booking fee **Please note:** Warning: Contains disturbing content and imagery related to murder. 16+ age recommendation

**Nigel McIntyre and Gareth Watson present Jason Fox – Embrace the Chaos** Some people are built to Embrace the Chaos. Jason Fox is one of them, having survived some of the most hostile outposts on earth as an elite operator, documentary maker and expedition leader. Following the huge success of his new theatre show *Embrace The Chaos*, Jason returns with brand-new dates for 2027. He will share a series of never-told-before stories, his close brushes with enemy gunmen, terrorist bomb makers and cartel leaders, while revealing his strategies for surviving — and thriving — in environments as life-threatening as the Arctic Circle and Afghan badlands. Though, as you’ll learn, nothing is as terrifying as the rogue celebrity on SAS: Who Dares Wins… Using the principles from his elite military operations, this show will help you reboot your thinking, rebalance your life, and push you beyond your comfort zone. Challenge your limits, change your habits, and transform your life with this brand-new show. Includes Q & A. *Photo credit: Robert Wilson* **Tickets** - £32.50 - + booking fee

**Programme:** Grieg, Sonata no.3 Brahms, Sonata no.3 Interval Vitali, Chaconne Ravel, Tzigane Bizet-Waxman, Carmen Fantasy **Artists:** Filip Pogády, violin & Simon Callaghan, piano **Filip Pogády, violin** Filip Pogády has been hailed by critics for his “beauty of tone,” “lightning-like virtuosity” (Russkoe Slovo), and “commanding performance” (The New York Times), establishing himself as one of the most captivating violinists of his generation. Pogády has performed on many of the world’s most prestigious stages, including New York’s Lincoln Center, Vienna’s Konzerthaus, Prague’s Rudolfinum, the Tel Aviv Opera House, Kamakura Arts Center in Japan, Natori Arts Center in Tokyo, Lotte Concert Hall and Seoul Arts Center in South Korea. His international appearances have earned him a loyal following and critical acclaim for both his technical mastery and emotional depth. On screen, Pogády has appeared in high-profile television performances and collaborations. He was featured on the David Letterman Show alongside Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and hip-hop supergroup Deltron 3030, and performed with global superstar Bad Bunny on Saturday Night Live. He also made a guest starring as a subway violinist in Season 2, Episode 6 of Louis CK’s acclaimed series LOUIE on FX. A prodigious talent from an early age, Pogády gave his solo debut with orchestra at age 11 at the Wiener Konzerthaus after winning first prize in the Tsusuki Violin Competition—becoming the youngest contestant to do so. He went on to win first prize in Austria’s nationwide competition Prima La Musica three times, and received special honors from the Austrian String Society and Raiffeisen Bank for his exceptional performances. **Simon Callaghan, piano** Simon Callaghan performs internationally as a soloist and chamber musician, in parallel with a highly successful career as a recording artist. A favourite performer at the internationally-renowned Husum Festival of Piano Rarities in Germany, Callaghan’s recent sell-out concert was praised by VAN Magazine as a “cleverly curated recital full of discoveries” and by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung as “technically brilliant”. Callaghan has developed a wide following and appears on a regular basis in the UK’s major concert halls, and on tours to Asia, North America and Europe. As concerto soloist, he has recently collaborated with the Ulster Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Royal Northern Sinfonia and the Sinfonieorchester St Gallen, with conductors including Jac van Steen, Martin Yates and Martyn Brabbins. Recital partners have included Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Jack Liebeck, Nicholas Daniel, Julian Bliss, Adrian Brendel, Feng Ning, Raphael Wallfisch, Ruth Rogers, Samuel West, Prunella Scales and Timothy West. BBC Young Musician of the Year Finalist Coco Tomita and Callaghan have a successful duo partnership which saw their second record released in 2024 on Orchid Classics. He is also a founding member of the London Piano Quartet, joining colleagues from the renowned Piatti Quartet to showcase the repertoire for piano quartet with a particular focus on revivifying works that have fallen into obscurity. **Tickets** - Full £20 (+ booking fee) - Under 26s – free

Julie Summers, best-selling author, will talk about her most recent book, *The Everest Mystery,* which tells the story of the fascinating search for the truth about Sandy Irvine, her great uncle. She will introduce her audience to a young man who was nicknamed Sandy by his Scottish Irvine cousins in 1909 and who lived life with exceptional energy and enjoyment, detailing his brief but action-packed life in the lead up to his disappearance high on the slopes of Mount Everest with George Mallory in June 1924. His inclusion in the 1924 Everest expedition has often been questioned but this talk will, she hopes, lay that to rest and give him his rightful place in the history of the mystery of Mallory and Irvine ***\*Tickets are also available to buy at the door with cash or card*** **Tickets** - General admission – £15 - RSGS member – Free - Students and Under 18s – Free

Due to phenomenal demand, award winning wildlife photographer and filmmaker **Gordon Buchanan** will hit the road again in 2027, continuing the success of his biggest ever live tour – *Lions and Tigers and Bears*. Join Gordon as he recounts thrilling encounters with pandas, grizzlies, tigers, jaguars and more. Learn about the heart-stopping moments, the mud, sweat, and tears, and the tender interactions that have shaped his extraordinary career. **Gordon Buchanan** has dedicated his life to exploring the untamed beauty of the natural world, from the bamboo forests of China to the snowy landscapes of Russia, from the towering Himalayas to the depths of the Amazon. His mission: to capture the majestic big cats and bears on film and reveal their secrets to a global audience. Book your tickets and don’t miss the opportunity to be inspired in a night of adventure, awe and wonder! **Tickets** - £32 – standard - £29 – concession - + booking fee

**Back To Black 20th Anniversary Tour** **RESCHEDULED DATE** – *Due to a change in touring dates, The Amy Winehouse Band will now be performing on Wednesday 24th March 2027. All tickets will be automatically transferred to the new date and a refund will be available at point of purchase should you not be able to make the rescheduled date.* [The Amy Winehouse Band](https://www.theamywinehouseband.com/) – Amy’s original band who were with her from the very start throughout her meteoric rise – have announced a major UK tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of her defining album, *Back to Black*. Released in 2006, *Back to Black* became the album that transformed Amy Winehouse from a rising British talent into a global cultural force. It propelled her to unprecedented heights, culminating in five GRAMMY Award wins at the 2008 ceremony (Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best New Artist), making her the first British woman to win that many in one night. Performing with her that evening, as they had since her earliest gigs in London pubs, was her band. Now, The Amy Winehouse Band continue to bring her catalogue to audiences around the world, keeping Amy’s musical legacy alive and giving new generations the chance to experience these modern classic songs performed live. Led by Amy’s long‑time musical director and bass player Dale Davis, The Amy Winehouse Band features members who both toured and recorded with Amy throughout her career. The 2026 anniversary tour will see the band perform Back to Black in full plus other Amy Winehouse classics across the UK throughout October, November, and December, culminating in a special homecoming date at London’s iconic Roundhouse on 18 December – an essential stop in Camden, the heart of Amy’s story. The celebration continues into 2027 with a dedicated run of Scottish dates in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dunfermline, and Dumfries next March. On the upcoming *Back to Black* 20th anniversary tour, Dale says: “I can’t believe that it’s the 20th anniversary *of Back To Black* this year. When I congratulated Amy on the success of this incredible album, she said to me, not with any arrogance: ‘I knew what I was doing’, and, at that moment, I realised that she knew exactly what she had created. It’s still an honour, pleasure and privilege to be performing these songs, from this timeless classic.” The Amy Winehouse Band completed a sold-out tour of the UK in 2025, alongside multiple tours and festival appearances across Europe, Asia, North America, and South America over recent years. **Tickets** - Tier 1 – £35.00 - Tier 2 – £32.00 - Tier 3 – £29.50 - + booking fee

**Kennedy Street Enterprises present Nathan Carter And his band** Nathan Carter has outsold the likes of Beyonce in Ireland, performed for the Pope, sold out venues across the world and is one of the most prolific touring artists in the UK. And he’s heading back to Dumfries in 2027! Born in Liverpool to Irish parents from County Down, Nathan Carter has released 13 studio albums and 6 live albums, with a sound that traverses pop, Irish folk, country music and timeless ballads. With tracks such as ‘Wagon Wheel’ and ‘I Wanna Dance’ becoming huge hits, he is one of Ireland’s biggest artists, who has outsold One Direction, Pharrell Williams and Michael Bublé. He also became the first Irish country act to reach number 1 in the Irish charts in 2013 after Garth Brooks, six years before. Growing up in a house where Country and Western music filled the air, Nathan was exposed to the classic songs of Johnny Cash, Don Williams and Dolly Parton which firmly rooted themselves in his musical DNA. From the tender age of 4 years old, not only learning to play guitar, piano and accordion, which plays a vital part in his live show, Nathan quickly became head chorister in the Liverpool Boys choir where he toured the world… and even performed in front of the Pope in Rome. Years later, with an astounding career of achievements as he became Ireland’s number 1 entertainer, he would repeat this feat as a star in an incredible full circle moment in 2018, when he performed for the Pope on his historic visit to Ireland at Dublin’s Croke Park stadium. Join us for dinner before the show in Easterbrook Bistro. Call on 01387 219081 or [click here](https://www.easterbrookbistro.co.uk/bar-and-restaurant/) to book. **Tickets** - £35 - + booking fee

Jill and David invite you to Dance for Maggie’s. Come and dance to help raise funds for the planned Maggie’s Centre at DGRI – a key new resource designed to support those with cancer and the people who love and care for them. Dance for Maggie’s will be an evening of fun for you, your friends and family. Invite them all to share a table with you and dance ceilidh, disco, line dance and Scottish country. A buffet supper to be served to boost your energy levels!! £50 per ticket – to include music and dance, a buffet supper and a £25 donation to Maggie’s. To book, please email David on or call 07801 868653. \*\*Tickets\*\* - £50 - to include buffet supper and £25 donation to Maggie’s