Garden open day Picnic Prom

Saturday 13th June
11:00 pm – 3:00 pm,
Performance 1:00pm – 2:00pm


Barwhillanty Estate will host its third annual Garden Open Day and Picnic Prom, on Saturday 13 June 2026, culminating in a 1pm recital performed by Blackbird Opera, in the newly refurbished Walled Garden. The event forms part of the 47th Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival, presented in partnership with Arts D&G.

Set against the backdrop of the Galloway Hills, the event invites audiences to enjoy an afternoon where music, landscape and relaxed summer dining meet. Visitors are welcome to explore the gardens from 11am, bringing their own picnic or reserving one of Barwhillanty’s wood-fired pizzas in advance. Tea, coffee and ice cream will also be available on site. We kindly ask that you support us by purchasing drinks from our new bar, instead of bringing your own.

At the heart of the afternoon is a recital featuring local soprano Claudia Wood, joined this year by soprano Rachael Brimley, with celebrated Scottish pianist and Scottish Opera’s former Head of Music Derek Clark, at the piano. Together they will present a programme that moves effortlessly through the lyricism, drama and sparkle of the operatic repertoire, drawing on beloved works from the classical canon of opera and song. Audiences can expect an engaging and accessible journey through music that celebrates the expressive richness of the human voice.