Nithraid RIVER FESTIVAL

The 2025 spectacular Progress of the Salty Coo (procession) from the centre of town to the river was led by artist Alex Rigg of Oceanallover and featured contributions from communities along the path of the Nith and a performance on arrival at Mill Green.

The vibrant new programme on Mill Green included traditional boat-building demos and a windmill-powered water purifier where participants toasted the river and helped shape a River Rights manifesto. Events included a talk by Judith Hewitt from Dumfries Museum on the river’s history, a photographic journey from source to sea by a young local photographer Trinity Coombs, a film programme on rivers and ecology at the Robert Burns Centre and a discussion on using the river’s energy to power cultural events. 

The popular flag design workshop was run by EcoArt and as in previous years all the colourful community made flags carrying their environmental messages were flown from the pedestrian bridge. There were family workshops, demonstrations by Wordsmith Crafts Cluaran Project, talks and exhibitions and an opportunity to open a moth trap with South West Scotland Environmental Information Centre to see which of these magical creatures visited the Nith at night. The Moving Images film caravan was also back, screening river themed films and animations.

The Progress of the Salty Coo
Music and choreography and costumes: Oceanallover
The spectacular progress of the Salty Coo through the town centre, over the Devorgilla Bridge and to Mill Green brought communities together from along the Nith, each with individually designed elements reflecting their relationship with the river. Young people had worked with Alex Rigg of Oceanallover in the lead up the Nithriad as interns and joined the procession.

River Race
Lifeboat Station, Glencaple to Dumfries. 2025 had the most entrants of any year and all manner of craft joined the race from rowing teams to paddle boarders. Each craft carried salt in a handmade bag that was collected as each landed and then as the boats left was thrown back to the river as the Salty Coo was committed to the waters accompanied by performance and music from Oceanallover.

All public events at Nithraid were FREE!