Press release Date:
16th March 2008

Newton Stewart Walking Festival 2008 has an exciting new programme

"Sign up for walk fest 2008 before its too late". That's the message from organisers of Newton Stewart Walking Festival who have expressed delight at the high level of interest in this year's event.

The programme for the 2008 festival, which runs from 9th to 15th May, includes no fewer than 30 events, including 26 guided walks amongst Galloway's hills, forests and along the region's coastline. All routes include bus transfers from the centre of Newton Stewart and already more than 270 walks have been booked by outdoor enthusiasts from both near and far.

Joan Mitchell, Chair of the Walking Festival Committee said: "The festival is now in its 6th year and we have firmly established ourselves as one of the foremost walking festivals in the south of Scotland. Already some of our most popular walks are fully booked and I would urge both local hill walkers and those who are visiting us over Easter and plan to return in May for the festival to book up now to ensure the widest choice of routes."

The festival has become well know for its challenging routes in Galloway's wild heart. Only this month another walking journalist wrote about the delight, and the challenge, of walking the Galloway Hills. Nigel Boothman of Trail Magazine traversed the Range of the Awfu' Hand earlier in the year and described it as "Scotland condensed: a full-on attack on the mind and the body which is in no way a tame sibling of the Highlands … great hill walking in its own right."

However, Newton Stewart Walking Festival also offers a large number of less challenging routes including a number of coastal themed walks which provide walking opportunities suitable for a wide range of ages.

Joan Mitchell explained: "One such family friendly route is the 6 mile ramble from Carrick Shore to Gatehouse of Fleet. Accompanied by a ranger for the Fleet National Scenic Area, the walk starts amongst the rocks and sandy beaches of Carrick and continues through the beautiful native woodlands of Cally Park before arriving in Gatehouse. The near flat route, which we are offering on Saturday 10th May, is mainly on woodland path and farm track provides a great walk with lots of variety."

"Similarly, on Thursday 15th we are offering a pleasant wildlife themed cliff walk along the eastern shore of Luce Bay around Stairhaven and Auchenmalg. Walkers on the five mile route will be accompanied by a local expert to help identify the varied bird life in the area."

Meanwhile one lucky walker has won a ticket to the festival ceilidh on Friday 9th May and a walk of their choice. Marie Carey from Glasgow attended last year's festival and like many others completed the festival evaluation form to give organisers feedback on the event. Marie's name was the one drawn out of the hat last week to win the opportunity to experience this year's festival for free.

Full details on the walk programme is available online at www.newtonstewartwalkfest.com or by picking up a copy of the festival brochure at local libraries, tourist information centres or the Stewart R Cunningham Outdoor Centre in Newton Stewart.

Bookings can be made on-line at www.newtonstewartwalkfest.com or by calling 01671 404500.

ENDS

Notes:

Newton Stewart Walking Festival is organised by a committee of volunteers including members of the Galloway Mountain Rescue Team. It receives financial support from a range of organisations including Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Galloway Association of Glasgow as well as a number of local businesses including Stewart R Cunningham Outdoor Centres, Galloway Holidays and Giles Insurance.

Contact for more information:
Joan Mitchell, Chair, Newton Stewart Walking Festival Committee Tel: 01671 820 223 E-mail: joan@bagbie.co.uk

Attached images for use in articles: " Walkfest logo "

Selection of images from previous Newton Stewart walking festivals and this year's routes: - Machars Coastline - coastal views on the 'Saints and Sinners' walk near St Ninians Cave - Sandgreen Views - View over Fleet Bay on the 'Carrick to Gatehouse' walk - Loch Whinyeon - looking out for wildlife on a walk at last year's festival