Diary of Moffat
This page lists some of the major events happening in and around Moffat that may interest visitors.
Listings of car boot sales etc have been avoided. If you know of any major omissions please e-mail
It may also serve to warn visitors that events such as the Classic Car Rally generate a large influx of people to the town and put pressure on accommodation etc so book ahead.
Dumfries and Galloway What is on?
For those interestested in J.M.Barrie and Peter Pan there is good news from Dumfries with an initiative to rescue Moat Brae House and garden the alledged setting for Never Land
BBC's Country File Magazine on Moffat
Moffat Farmer's Market is now in Moffat Town Hall (next to the hotel) every second Sunday of the month. 11am to 3pm except in November on Rememberence Weekend it is on Saturday
For more information or to book a stall ring 07708 101336
See some brilliant images of Moffat and the surroundings from Moffatman
What's on in Dumfries & Galloway?
31st March to 15th April Dumfries and Galloway Wild life festival
5th April 2013 Bonhams are holding an antiques valuation day in the Annandale Arms tickets £25 are available at 07885747177 or 01461202572 This includes lunch and three valuations by Bonhams experts plus lots more talks etc.
5th 6th and 7th April 2013 Moffat Traditional Music Festival various artists appearing in the hotel and other venues over a weekend of traditional music.
Contact details
robmalaney@btinternet.com
07582 197 773
20th April 2013 Murder in Moffat a weekend of Scottish murder and mystery writers with workshops etc
5th May 2013
The Gardens at Portrack House are open to the public one day a year. Designed by famous garden designer Charles Jenks and the late Maggie Keswick Well worth a visit sadly only open one day a year so given good weather it can be a bit of a bun fight.
25th to 27th May 2013
Spring Fling South West Scotland's arts and crafts open studio event
9th June 2013 Moffat Mountain Rescue 14th Charity Challenge. A number of marked and stewarded walks in the Moffat Hills to raise funds for the volunteers of the Mountain Rescue Team. The walks are of all grades from doddle to difficult from a great introduction to a beautiful area to a serious challenge and support a very good cause. Every penny goes to the team no chuggers here!
25th June 2011 RSAC Scottish Rally Again based around Dumfries with stages in Ae Forest this weekend promises to be a treat for car enthusiasts see the Moffat Classic Car Rally below.
29th to 30th June 2013
Moffat Classic Car Rally In a slightly different place this year but just round the corner though. Again a very popular event now in its tenth year. Some 800 entrants last year perhaps a thousand this year.
7th to 14th July 2013
Moffat Gala The Moffat Gala is held on the second week in July. There are a series of events held around the town though the week. These include cross country running, wheel barrow races and carnival floats culminating in a Bacchanalian disco and bonfire on the Saturday night 16th July. Tel 01683 220713
18th August 2013
Sheep racing, it's back Moffat's very own Scottish Grand National Sheep racing meeting on Moffat High Street. Like Monaco Moffat closes off some of its streets for the race meeting. Forget the Edinburgh fringe this is the biggest laugh you will see in Scotland in August. It is not to be missed. Details moffatpromotionsgroup@visitmoffat.co.uk
August to October 2009
Gael Force blows through Dumfries and Galloway. A series of traditional Scottish based music and entertainment events throughout the county spread over the three months. Look out for William Williamson at the Old Well Theatre Moffat
2nd to 24th August 2013
Edinburgh Military Tattoo
2th to 26th August 2013
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
7th to 10th August 2009
Border Clan Gathering ???The annual gathering of the border clans
2nd to ?26thAugust 2013
Edinburgh Book Festival
August 2012
Moffat Agricultural Show is a small and very local agricultural show. It includes a number of equestrian events as well as live stock. There are craft tents, vintage tractors and a number of stalls. The terrier racing is well worth seeing. The show finishes with a boisterous evening disco. Contact number - The Secretary Tel 01461 800217
11th September 2011
Lord Dowding Commemorative Service with fly past.
5th to 7th October 2012 Moffat Walking Festival A series of lead walks in the Moffat Hills aimed at all abilities and fitness. The walks are on the Saturday and Sunday with the usual jazz concert on Friday and ceilidh on Saturday in the Town Hall. The visitmoffat web site has some details.
27th to 29th September 2013
Lockerbie Jazz Festival
??? November 2012
Moffat Christmas Festival. Starting with the street market in Moffat High Street at 11.00am. Santa's grotto opens for the children at 2.00, lots of interesting antique and craft stalls, pipe bands entertainers, etc.
The Annandale Arms has mulled wine and mince pies served all day with a antique stall on the ground floor. The switching on of the Christmas lights by Santa forms the Grand Finale of the day at 5.00pm.
More details Moffat Promotions Group Moffat Town Hall (next door to the Annandale) or ring Colin on 07812017213
31st December 2012 Hogmanay.
New Year's Eve in Scotland is a must if you have not experienced it before. The Annandale Arms is right in the middle of town and is inevitably the focus of the New Year celebrations. See our special Hogmanay Dinner bed and breakfast package.
In Moffat people generally start to appear in the various hotels and bars around the High Street about 10.00pm in preparation for the 'bells' at midnight. As the alotted time approaches about five hundred to a thousand people gather outside the Annandale Arms Hotel.
The atmosphere is always very good humoured. There is a piper/pipers in the square as well as fireworks to welcome the New Year. The celebrations and first footing continue well into the early hours and beyond.
