Spring Fling

24/08/2026

UPLAND SPRING FLING 2027 25TH ANNIVERSARY COMMISSION

Spring Fling celebrates 25 years in 2027, and we’re inviting an Upland member to create the artwork for this special anniversary edition.

The commissioned artwork will become the visual centre of Spring Fling 2027 appearing on the brochure cover and across print, digital and promotional materials.

Fee: £1,000
Deadline: Monday 14 September 2026

Read more: https://www.weareupland.com/opportunities/spring-fling-2027-25th-anniversary-illustration-commission

04/08/2026

Did you make it along to see FLOCK at Barwhillanty Estate during this year's Spring Fling?

We wanted to share some of the beautiful photos of the installation, to celebrate this fantastic project.

Huge thanks go to artists Frances Ross, Ruth Elizabeth Jones and Clare Dawdry, along with all the young people and schools who took part, plus Creative Stranraer and Creative Toolbox. Funded by Creative Scotland and The Holywood Trust.

Photos: Colin Tennant

06/07/2026

We're looking for a freelancer or agency who can rebuild the Spring Fling website ahead of next year's event.

Details in the post below 👇

Could you help give Spring Fling a refresh?

We are looking for a freelance individual or agency to support our team to rebuild the event website for Spring Fling, with the work to be completed between August 2026 and May 2027.

Visit our website for the full project brief: https://www.weareupland.com/opportunities/spring-fling-website-support

📆 Deadline: 11.59pm Friday 17 July

Photo: Colin Tennant

10/06/2026

As we continue to gather feedback from Spring Fling 2026, we’ve been overwhelmed by just how far people travelled to experience the event this year.

Artists across Dumfries & Galloway welcomed visitors from across Scotland, the UK and around the world including Australia, Canada, Italy, Sweden, France, the Netherlands, Singapore, New Zealand, the USA and beyond.

Visitors described Spring Fling as inspiring, welcoming and unlike any other event they had ever experienced highlighting the warmth of the welcome they received from artists and communities, the opportunity to meet artists in their own studios, and the joy of discovering Dumfries & Galloway through creativity, conversation and shared experiences.

“Meeting incredible, inspirational people in amazing locations and embracing wonderful communities.”

“It felt like much more than an art event - it was an experience of the whole region.”

“We came for one day and ended up staying for the whole weekend.”

Many visitors planned entire weekends and holidays around Spring Fling, travelling across the region to experience the richness and diversity of work being created here.

From first-time visitors to long-standing supporters, the feedback reflects the unique role Spring Fling continues to play in connecting creativity, place, community and cultural tourism across Dumfries & Galloway.

A huge thank you to every artist, venue, supporter and visitor who helped make Spring Fling 2026 such a special event.

We are still gathering feedback and would love to hear about your Spring Fling experience. Share your feedback here:
https://form.jotform.com/260402267339960

Images: Colin Tennant

08/06/2026

A few moments from Spring Fling 2026 we will be sharing more over the next few weeks✨

And thank you to everyone who’s already sent feedback, kind emails, photos and lovely comments our way we’ve loved hearing about your visits, favourite artists and discoveries along the route.

We’ll be gathering together visitor comments this week as we head into reporting season, so if you haven’t filled in the survey yet, we’d still really love to hear from you.

You could win:
🎨 £100 voucher + 2 Arts D&G 2027 tickets
🎨 £75 voucher
🎨 £50 voucher

Survey link:
https://form.jotform.com/260402267339960

Tag a friend you visited with 👀

📷 Photography: Colin Tennant

23/05/2026

Spring Fling is now on!

Studios across Dumfries & Galloway are open for Scotland's premier Open Studios event, which will run until Monday 25 May.

Visit, meet artists and experience creative work in the places it is made.

Plan your visit through the link in our bio: https://www.spring-fling.co.uk/

Add your journey to our travel map - it helps us understand where visitors are coming from and build a picture of Spring Fling as it grows
https://form.jotform.com/260984046424056

22/05/2026

✨ Six colourful routes. Hundreds of artists. One unforgettable region. ✨

This year, we asked Spring Fling artists to share the feeling of their route — and what they gave us was something truly special.

Favourite walks.
Hidden beaches.
Ancient places.
Forest trails.
Gardens.
Big skies.
Stories.

Spring Fling is more than open studios.

It’s a chance to experience Dumfries & Galloway through the eyes of the artists who live and work here.

“I am looking forward to… creating displays which show how new work comes about… and how working alongside other artists can lead to new ideas.” Suzanne Stuart Davies

Whether you come for the art, the landscapes, the conversations or the adventure, you’ll find a warm welcome waiting across all six routes.

🗺️ Plan your journey.
🎨 Meet the artists.
🌿 Discover Dumfries & Galloway.

📸 Image credits: participating Spring Fling artists including Louisa Birdsall (boats at Rockcliffe), Jo Gallant (view from studio), Lisa Hooper (Glenwhan garden), Kate Anderson (Telford Bridge).

22/05/2026

🟢GREEN ROUTE

✨ Striking landscapes. Historic castles. River walks.

The Green Route is here for you to explore 💚

This year, we asked our artists to share the feeling of their route: the walks, hidden places and landscapes that inspire them every day.

“The Green Route is located right in the middle of some of the most beautiful parts of Dumfries and Galloway, with such a variety of things to do and artists to see.” Trinity Coombs

Wander through the ruins of Morton Castle, marvel at Drumlanrig Castle gardens, or explore the new walking path that connects Thornhill and Penpont, before visiting the artists whose work is rooted in these landscapes.

📸 Image credits: Trinity Coombs (Loch Ettrick, 3 cairns walk near Morton Castle, Durisdeer walk, River Nith, Drumlanrig Castle woods)

💚 Plan your Green Route adventure.

22/05/2026

An update on planned roadworks due to take place this weekend... 👇

The proposed B733 works at Kirkcowan have now been rescheduled to avoid disruption to Spring Fling. There is also currently no closure planned on the A716 at Ardwell, with works operating under temporary traffic management only. As always, please do leave a little extra travel time for tractors, sheep crossing and to enjoy the countryside along the way!

21/05/2026

🔴 RED ROUTE

✨ Ancient landscapes. Open studios. A feeling of mystery.

Discover the Red Route ❤️

This year, our artists shared the places that inspire them most and the Red Route takes you deep into the landscape of Eskdalemuir.

“Eskdalemuir has a unique abundance of ancient sites. Visiting them alongside the valley’s open studios can give a real feel of how rooted in the land the artwork is.” Shen Chokyi

Wide skies, quiet roads, hidden histories and deeply personal creative spaces make this one of Spring Fling’s most atmospheric journeys.

There’s even an accompanying film to explore before your visit:
🎥 The Eskdalemuir Art and Mystery Trail
📸 Image credit: Shen Chokyi
❤️ Experience the Red Route.