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What’s On this February & March

by Sara Barton, 3rd February 2025
Borders Art Fair | Scottish Borders
What’s On this February & March
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As winter begins to ease into spring, the South of Scotland comes alive with an exciting mix of cultural, wellness, and nature-inspired events. Whether you’re drawn to thought-provoking art exhibitions, or want to delve deep at a book festival, are enchanted by the delicate beauty of snowdrop displays, or are focusing on your own self-care, there’s something for everyone. The next couple of months offer the perfect excuse to explore, unwind, and be inspired. Here’s what you won’t want to miss!

Learn something new

Whether you fancy learning how to track winter wildlife or looking at how Romans and Reivers lived in the Scottish Borders, there are plenty of fun educational activities running through February and March. In Dumfries and Galloway the Solway Coast and Marine Project is hosting a wide variety of events from tracking winter wildlife to learning about marine biology or migratory bird patterns. Or perhaps you fancy taking a multi-day archaelogy tour exploring the Scottish Borders – dates start in February and run through the year – with HARP Archaelogy. Or find out what food the Romans brought to Britain at a special day event at Trimontium Museum.

A lady in Roman dress shows example of traditional Roman foods to 2 interested smiling people., Trimontium Museum
Find out what the Romans ate and what they imported to Britain at Trimonitum Museum.

Culture vultures

March kicks off with the annual Kirkcudbright Book Week with events for all ages. Visitors can engage in talks from published authors and listen to community writing groups giving works their first airing, while young readers can help celebrate World Book Day. Or perhaps you prefer your culture in gastronomic terms. The Globe Inn are offering a Tour de France with epicurean delights and wines to match!

Head to Kirkcudbright Book Week at the start of March for live author discussions.

Tunes galore

There are several live music gigs taking place at venues around the South of Scotland. Sabbra Cadabra will be bringing the music of Black Sabbath to the Vault Arts Centre in Newton Stewart early in February while Bedford Falls and Toy Hospital will be playing there later in the month. In Galashiels She Drew the Gun and the Bluebells will be rocking Mac Arts over a weekend in mid-February.

Woman holding guitar and singing into microphone
She Drew the Gun will be performing at Mac Arts in Galashiels in mid-February.

Health and wellbeing

Catch up with the mobile Cedar Hus sauna and add in something extra. Spend the day learning how to weave a basket, chat with friends over lunch and then luxuriate in the sauna afterwards. Or if your new year’s resolution was to edge up the fitness regime while doing a bit more self-care, you can manage both at Saturday Circuits and Sauna. Braeview Glamping, near Coldingham has put together a weekend retreat with pilates and relaxation top of the agenda – grab some friends and go!

The sauna is set by a river under trees, with people arriving for their session in swimsuits with their towels, Cedar Hus / Phil Wilkinson Photography
Cedar Hus, the mobile sauna, can be found at various venues in the Scottish Borders.

Swathes of snowdrops

This time of year sees many of the estates and gardens of the South of Scotland covered in swathes of snowdrops. Following Storm Eowyn, some gardens have shut certain sections for safety but there is still plenty to see. Just in time for a romantic walk to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Floors Castle is opening its grounds for the weekend. Close on its heels, Drumlanrig Estate will be open for a weekend, while Mellerstain House is hosting an Open Day as part of the Scotland’s Garden Scheme. Join the rangers at Dryburgh Abbey to see snowdrops and more in mid-March. See our Snowdrop Spotting blog for further ideas.

Floors Castle is opening its gardens for visitors to take in the swathes of snowdrops.

Artistic endeavours

In mid-March the much loved three-day Borders Art Fair returns to Kelso with 70 exhibition stands showcasing work from galleries, collectives and artists, both from the region and beyond. This is a great opportunity to meet the artists, learn about their processes, watch artist demonstrations, and take part in some creative fun.

Hawick Museum offers a varied range of exhibitions this spring. Julia Scammell – Hollywood to Hawick, draws inspiration from Julia’s memories of watching the movies of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire with her mother as a child. Opening at the start of March is the father-daughter exhibition by Alan Richmond and Samantha Smith exploring their shared passion for old and weathered paintwork, rusty textures, random colours and shapes on skips, old doors and especially abandoned boats.

Alan Richmond
Alan Richmond and his daughter Samantha Smith will be giving a joint exhibition at Hawick Museum.

If you are looking for more inspriration on what to see and do, try these…