About Kirkcudbright

Kirkcudbright is a beautiful town in Dumfries and Galloway in the South-West of Scotland, renowned for its picturesque setting and artistic past and present. The town’s narrow streets and colourful Georgian houses date back to the 18th century, testament to its rich history and heritage.

Long called ‘the artists’ town’, in honour of renowned artists and residents such as E.A. Hornel, Jessie M. King, and Charles Oppenheimer, this tradition continues. The many artists and crafts people who follow in their footsteps and make Kirkcudbright their home are equally captivated and inspired by its unparalleled beauty and natural surroundings.

A stroll around the town’s vibrant streets, lanes and wynds offers visitors a chance to experience its unique blend of history and culture. The town has a range of art galleries and museums, including the Kirkcudbright Galleries and Stewartry Museum, which showcase an array of fascinating artefacts, paintings, and sculpture. The Tolbooth Art Centre, located in the heart of the town, provides a platform for local artists to showcase their work and offers art classes for budding artists.

If you enjoy outdoor activities, Kirkcudbright will not disappoint. The town is surrounded by breath-taking landscapes and situated on the banks of the River Dee offers opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and boating. The nearby Galloway Hills offer fantastic hiking trails and stunning views of the coast and surrounding countryside; while the town is home to a beautiful golf course with panoramic views across the estuary.

Kirkcudbright is known for its remarkable cuisine – from local seafood delicacies like scallops, lobster and crab to traditional Scottish dishes like haggis and neeps. You can relish these diverse tastes at the town’s numerous cafes, restaurants, hotels and pubs which offer local flavours and warm hospitality.

Kirkcudbright is a unique town whose distinctive feel and beauty, combined with its rich cultural heritage and present, many activities, and varied cuisine, make it an ideal destination for visitors of all ages as well as an ideal community to live and work in. If you would like to experience the essence of Scotland, come to Kirkcudbright, and lets its many charms and delights enchant you.

The area offers a quiet and relaxing atmosphere, attractive coastal landscapes and safe country roads.

Visit our town site for full details of accommodation, eateries, parking and shopping. 

How to get here

Click on the map below to get directions to KBT.


About The Festival

Founded by Gerry Hassan, Chris Walker & Rosie Ilett

Gerry Hassan

Gerry is a writer, commentator and academic who has organised and run numerous events, residentials and mini-festivals. He has written numerous books on Scotland, the UK, politics, social change and how we think about the future. He was previously Professor of Social Change at Glasgow Caledonian University and has worked at the universities of Dundee and West of Scotland as well as leading a number of think-tanks in Scotland: the Centre for Public Policy Research and Demos north of the border.

Gerry moved to Kirkcudbright in 2021 and co-founded Kirkcudbright Fringe Festival with Chris Walker; he is the main programmer of the Fringe along with Chris. Previously he ran the Changin Scotland residential weekends in Ullapool hailed as ‘an alternative Davos’ which ran for thirteen years. In his spare time he likes to walk his dog Lena, read for relaxation as well as research, and listen to music – from Sinatra to the Beatles and everything in between.

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Chris Walker

Chris is a local hotelier who owns and runs The Selkirk Arms Hotel .Having visited the Edinburgh fringe over the years the idea to bring a similar vibe to the town simply added to the already wide range of events that Kirkcudbright hosts. Chris has cooked in the Kitchens for nearly 30 years and developed a passion for marketing following a spell on Border TV hosting Spoon with a View, an outdoor cookery program and also on BBC Radio 2’s The Debbie Thrower afternoon show. He has a love of music of all genres, a keen cyclist and ran the bars at the famous Wickerman Festival at Dundrennan for many years.

Rosie Ilett

Rosie Ilett has been involved with Kirkcudbright Fringe Festival from its inception, and is now Chair of the Board of Directors that oversees the Kirkcudbright Fringe Festival CIC (Community Interest Company).  Rosie moved to Kirkcudbright in 2021 after 30 years living and working in Glasgow. Originally from London, Rosie spent much of her career working for the NHS and charities in child poverty, homelessness, women’s health and mental health. In the 1980s and early 1990s Rosie worked in bookselling and publishing and as a librarian, and has lengthy experience of organising a wide variety of public, community and cultural events.