Nithraid 2025 is on 23rd August
10:30am – 4pm GMT+1
Glencaple Slipway
Glencaple DG1 4RE
The Nith is a tidal river that runs through the historic market town of Dumfries, connecting the town to the sea, which in the 18th century saw the town and its neighbouring villages of Glencaple and Kingholm Quay become one of Scotland’s largest and busiest trading ports.
To celebrate this rich history, we hold an annual River Race, which sees teams of coastal rowers, sailing boats and various person-powered vessels race the river, battling for the best time with each boat carrying a cargo representing goods that was traded in those times.
The river’s importance to Dumfries as the region’s largest market town is immortalised in the Nithraid logo. Our festival mascot, ‘Salty Coo’ symbolises the historic journey made by herds of cattle, led by their farmers, across the river at low tide, from Maxwelltown on the west bank to the cattle market at Whitesands on the east side of the river. This historic crossing site now marks the end half-way point of the Nithraid River Race.
Please click through below for course notes and race rules as you will be required to declare that you have read the race rules and notes and agreed to comply with them when booking your ticket.
Please note: The tide is earlier than in previous Nithraid’s but, as Knut confirmed, they are beyond our control. This means getting to the race start and preparing for the race quite early. All times will be confirmed in the race information and on the website as Nithraid approaches. Thanks
Nithraid RIVER FESTIVAL 