Our Community
Our Community
Crossmichael is a vibrant community reflected by a range of local interest groups and successful events such as the annual Crossmichael Triathlon.
Crossmichael also has one of the smallest community libraries in the world, based in a former telephone box.
Crossmichael Arts Programme

Under the title, Crossmichael Arts, we run a mixed programme of arts events in Crossmichael. Previously, the Wee Book Hoose put on events of various kinds including performances. These were so successful that a decision was made to organise a regular programme. 


We were delighted when the Glenkens Community and Arts Trust, which runs the Catstrand Arts Centre in New Galloway, offered to collaborate with us in organising this programme. The first events organised on this basis took place in 2019: a bluegrass concert by celebrated North American band John Reischman and the Jaybirds in the Memorial Hall; and a story-telling tent at Crossmichael Gala, with story-tellers Anne Errington and Tony Bonning.


Our most recent event was particularly notable - a solo recital by the jazz star, Tommy Smith, perhaps the greatest jazz musician Scotland has ever produced, in Crossmichael Church on 7 October.


We have put on films and theatre performances in addition to music – and are happy to include any kind of events that people tell us they would like to see. Future events will be advertised on this website as well as in Catstrand brochures and on their website:  www.gcat.scot


We are always looking for ideas, so tell us what sort of events you would like to see. And we are always looking for more volunteers to help us plan and give a hand with the organising. Contact us .


Forthcoming events


Coming soon

Crossmichael's own poet, Willie Neill, was born 100 years ago this year. Willie is regarded as one Scotland's foremost twentieth-century poets - and he lived in Crossmichael for many years, teaching at Castle Douglas High School.


To celebrate this anniversary, well-known authors, Stuart Paterson and Hugh McMillan, lead a group of writers and performers paying tribute to the man and his work.

 Memorial Hall, 30 November, 7.30 pm
Admission Free


Crossmichael Church
The Congregation of Crossmichael, Parton and Balmaghie is a small congregation that meets to worship Sunday by Sunday either in Parton kirk or Crossmichael kirk. Crossmichael congregation has, at various times, been joined with Parton and with Castle Douglas. It was eventually united with Parton in 1989 and, at the same time, linked with the parish of Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham. In 2015, the parish was extended once again with the addition of Balmaghie. Although the parish covers the area of Balmaghie, it no longer owns the buildings there. 

Within the congregation, there is a branch of the Church of Scotland Guild. This group meets monthly from October to March and it is one of the groups that meet in the church hall. Others include the Kirk Session and Congregational Board, the knit and natter group, the embroiderers and the Soup and Sweet lunches that are held on the last Tuesday of every month. There is also community activity in the hall as it is used as a base for the Triathlon each September and other groups use it for meetings.  

We have good contact with the primary school in the village: every fortnight on a Tuesday, we run an after-school club doing games, crafts and bible stories with the children. The school holds end-of-term services in the church building and we also host concerts and Wee Book Hoose events.
For lots more detail, including current and recent activities, go to the Crossmichael Church website. 
Community Woodland 
Crossmichael’s community woodland lies between St Michael’s Road and the grounds of Culgruff House. 

Core Path 193 runs through the site and the woodland can be accessed either from the south, to the side of the Memorial Hall, or from the north, near to Culgruff Farm. It’s also possible to get onto the path from the Templand estate.  

The woodland occupies about 3½ hectares. It’s a mixed planting, mostly native broadleaves, but with some conifers as well. The planting was done in 1995-6 by the owner of the site at that time, Archie McBride of Drumskelly Farm. From the start, it was designated for community use and this arrangement has continued thanks to the generosity of the current owners, James and Christine Shedden of Balgerran.

Over the years, various improvements have been made: paths improved, benches and bridges installed and we hope to do more. Although the wood is managed by the environment group of the Community Council, basic maintenance is carried out by volunteers and we are always looking for more! 

The wood is well used by walkers and by the school – but with more help, we could make it even more attractive and we would like to encourage more residents and visitors to enjoy the trees, the wildlife, the peaceful atmosphere and the fabulous views over the river valley. Contact us.
 Crossmichael Gala
The 2019 Crossmichael Gala was held, with great success, on August 24th. The Gala, well known in the area in the past, had not happened for some years, but has been revived by popular demand. 

The traditional site, on the riverside, was used (by kind permission of Geoff and Caroline Clayton of the Old Manse). It is hoped that this was the first gala in what will become a new tradition. 

Anybody interested in helping with the organisation of next year’s should contact Jim McClelland. Contact us.
Crossmichael Triathlon 
Crossmichael has become well known for its triathlon, held in early September each year. It now attracts competitors from all parts of the country as well as locally.

Click herefor more details of the 2019 triathlon.
Crossmichael Flower Show
The idea of holding a Flower show in Crossmichael was proposed at a Community Council Meeting in 1978/9 by Jackie (Bungy) Scott and a committee was formed to organise and run a Show.
Since 1979, Crossmichael Flower Show Committee has organised a Flower and Produce show on the last Saturday in August each year.
The Flower Show has evolved into a self-supporting event run by a hard-working committee of gardening, baking and handicraft enthusiasts.

Who can enter
Classes are open to all persons residing within the Parishes of Crossmichael and Parton, including children attending Crossmichael School, Crossmichael and Parton Playgroup or staying within the Parishes.
Classes are open to competitors on the understanding that exhibits have been grown or produced by the competitors themselves.

What can be entered
Any article as described in the current Show Schedule.

Where and when they can be entered
Crossmichael Memorial Hall, Crossmichael, on the last Saturday in August each year. Staging of exhibits is between 7.00pm and 9.00pm on the evening before the show or between 8.00am and 10.00am on the morning of the show.
Chairman
David Webster
8 St Michaels Terrace
Crossmichael, Castle Douglas DG7 3AZ
Secretary
John Robert Dickson
Glenisla, 39 Main Street
Crossmichael, Castle Douglas DG7 3AU
Treasurer
Janet Adams
5 Old Ferry Road
Crossmichael, Castle Douglas DG7 3AT
Beautiful flower displays at the Crossmichael Flower Show
A selection of onions at the Crossmichael Flower Show
A selection of winning potatoes at the Crossmichael Flower Show
Our Village Halls

There are two, one in Crossmichael, the other in Clarebrand. Clarebrand Village Hall began life as the village school. Opened in 1875, it closed its doors to pupils in 1964 when it was replaced by a new school in Crossmichael. Clarebrand Hall was donated to the community shortly after that and, each year, the committee organises a few social events for the surrounding residents. The hall is also available for hire anytime throughout the year.

For more details, click here .

Clarebrand Village Hall, Dumfries and Galloway
The interior of Clarebrand Village Hall
Crossmichael Memorial Hall
Interior and stage in Crossmichael Memorial Hall

Crossmichael Memorial Hall is located in St. Michael’s Road. The hall is currently used by a variety of groups and for a wide range of activities including the Youth Club, Youth Theatre Group, Aerobic Classes, quiz nights, Flower Show, Church Sale, various dances, birthday parties, Gala Day fundraising and Community Council meetings.The committee recently obtained funding to replace the existing floor and intends to raise funds for the future upgrading of kitchen and toilet facilities to attract more user groups. Currently the committee is in the midst of applying for grants to enable a comprehensive energy-and-heating upgrade to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.


In 2022 ownership of the hall was transferred from the original Trust (see early history below) to Crossmichael Community Trust (SCIO SCO45747). Additional facilities now include provision for badminton and pickleball.

Managing Tustees 

Chair : Ed Hex

Treasurer : Jim McLelland

Secretary : Zara Gell


Hire Charges

£15 per hour for local residents; £17.50 per hour for non-residents (covers all facilities)


Events by arrangement

To hire:  

Email Us
Early history of Crossmichael Memorial Hall 
Deed of Trust signed on 23rd April 1954

Original Trustees: Reverend James Annett Fisher, Minister of Parish of Crossmichael and County Councillor and his successors, Michael Rutherford Clark Gillespie of Walbutt, residing at Causeway Head, Crossmichael and The Scottish Council of Social Services Incorporated, Ten Alva Street, Edinburgh.

Use: “ For the purpose of physical and mental training and recreation and social, moral and intellectual development through the medium of reading and recreation rooms, library, lectures, classes, entertainments or otherwise for the inhabitants of the Parish of Crossmichael in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright without distinction of sex or of political, religious, or other opinions.”

Management: “The general management and control of the Trust subjects (the hall) shall be vested in a Committee of Management.”

The Committee of Management was to be formed of elected members from the following organisations: Crossmichael Kirk Session, Crossmichael Women’s Guild, Crossmichael Women’s Rural Institute, Crossmichael Carpet Bowling Club, Crossmichael Curling Club, Crossmichael Badminton Club, Crossmichael Dart and Domino Club, Crossmichael Dramatic Club, Clarebrand Women’s Rural Institute, Clarebrand Carpet Bowling Club and Clarebrand Dramatic Club.

The Committee were “to be responsible for the Rules and Regulations and sums to be paid for the use of the hall and to appoint an Auditor, Treasurer and other unpaid officers as it may consider necessary”.

Feu Charter, 23rd April, 1954 : This was the legal document to transfer ownership of the land on which the hall was built to the Trustees of the hall.  

Quotes from parts of the Feu Charter: “I, Michael Rutherford Clark Gillespie of Walbut and residing at Causeway Head, Crossmichael” [owner of the ground on which the hall was erected] “ have sold and hereby in feu form Dispone to the Trustees part of my lands and estate of Culgruff, now known as Walbutt in the said parish of Crossmichael and Stewartry of Kirkcudbright.”

Lidderdale and Gillespie, Writers, Castle Douglas. 

Opening Ceremony, December 1954 : Some quotes from the report in the Galloway News. 4 December 1954: “There was a crowded attendance when Miss A. C. A. Stewart, Kilmichael, who has given life-long service to the best interests of the parish, performed the opening ceremony.

Rev. J. A. Fisher presided and called upon Mr D. Milligan, chairman of the Hall Committee, to introduce Miss Stewart. In doing so Mr Milligan referred to the good advice and generous support given by Miss Stewart in connection with the building of their new hall and said they were delighted to welcome one who had had such long associations with the parish and who was so well-known and esteemed.

Miss Stewart said...[it] was with a deep sense of pride in achievement, they met in their beautiful hall which was to serve as a memorial to the lads of the parish who had made the supreme sacrifice in the two world wars. Their names were inscribed on the artistically designed plaque on the wall and they honoured them that day. They hoped to have many happy evenings enjoying good music and other entertainment and also to have meetings of an educational value in these very pleasant surroundings.

It was not without some regret they passed from their social meetings in the school, which they had been privileged to use for so many years and of which they had many happy memories. They realised that in their new hall they had more scope for the young people and certainly more comfort for the older folks.”
The Wee Book Hoose
Take a visit to Crossmichael’s local library, although it may not be quite what you were expecting. A community group has converted a disused phone box into a thriving 24-hour library where people can borrow, take or donate books. The library, now known as The Wee Book Hoose, holds up to 200 books, thanks to donations from the community and local businesses. 

Keep an eye out for events held by The Wee Book Hoose on our Facebook page . Previous events have included:

- an exhibition of 1000 villages photographs with the Village Heritage Project
- a cultural event celebrating the life of a local man who inspired Captain Hook
- a storytelling event with Mary Smith, author and Cathy Cassidy, author
- a gig by John Reischman and The Jaybirds, with support from the Catstrand. 

If you want to get involved with the project, feel free to contact 01556670262 or email us.

We are always looking for books and ideas (especially children’s). A future event hopefully in the church hall and heritage centre will be “finding out about our family history and a display of the digital village tapestry” (Sept/Oct 2019).

The Wee Book Hoose has been featured on: 
ITV news - View.
BBC News Scotland - View. 
  The Kaye Adams Programme (BBC Radio Scotland).

Crossmichael Primary School

The logo of Crossmichael Primary School

Crossmichael Primary School serves the villages of Crossmichael, Parton, Glenlochar, Laurieston and surrounding areas.  The school has three classrooms with capacity for 75 pupils and a large playground containing a community play park.  Crossmichael Community Woodland is behind the school and is accessed frequently for outdoor learning.  The school has a kitchen where meals are freshly prepared every day and a PE hall/ dining room.

Our school is in partnership with Gelston Primary School and shares the same Headteacher. 


Gelston Primary School serves the rural communities of Gelston and Rhonehouse.  The main school building was refurbished a few years ago and consists of two classrooms with capacity for 50 pupils altogether.  There is a Portakabin on site and a large playground with a small garden area and a climbing frame.  We have a school kitchen which lies a few steps away from the main building and freshly prepared meals are cooked on site.  Pupils walk down to the Village Hall for PE lessons and assemblies.


Our Vision, Values and Aims for the partnership schools are:


Our Vision: Wee schools growing big thinkers.
Successful Learners: Achieving, Creative, Persevering, Inquiring, Conscientious, Prepared.
Effective Contributors: Resilient, Enterprising, Collaborative, Critical Thinkers, Problem Solvers.
Responsible Citizens: Respectful, Tolerant, Honest, Nurturing, Eco-friendly.
Confident Individuals: Positive, Aware, Healthy, Independent.
Our Aims: Be kind, show respect and work hard.

We are actively involved in the local community and look forward to strengthening links with local people, organisations, services and businesses.
If you wish to find out more about Crossmichael Primary School, then please visit our school website and blog here.

Scottish Womens Institute

The Clarebrand branch of the Scottish Womens Institute meets on the third Monday of each Month at 7.30 in Clarebrand Village Hall. Members enjoy a varied programme of talks, demonstrations, outings, entertainments and hands-on craft sessions, with opportunities to take part in other events organized by the Stewartry and National Federations.


For more information, contact Pat Kingstree: pktree@hotmail.co.uk; or 07901757884.

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