It’s been a bit difficult lately. As we scrabble around for something useful to occupy ourselves, I took a look back at a virtual stack of audio files set to one side at the back end of last year when everything was moving too quickly to take any time over them. For anyone who attended The Stove’s Common Cause gathering last October (also on my birthday), you will know what a magical evening this was. Looking back, in the heart of lockdown it transported me back in a way that only audio seems to do… so I’ve compiled an audio guided walk of the evening for you to listen at your pleasure.

Guided by the wonderful poet, writer and historian JoAnne MacKay you will hear the voices of a variety of local and visiting guests who each shared a provocation as we toured the darkening streets of Dumfries, from the Stove up to Burns Statue, down the vennel, stopping for a dram at The Dougie, over the old brig, past the RBC Film Theatre, pausing by between river and road before traipsing back over the Suspension Bridge, up past The Globe and back into the Stove to cosy up. If you are missing the town, missing the hum and the conversation, take a journey with us:

Special thanks to all of the speakers, JoAnne MacKay, Lauren Tuckerman, Jemma Neville, Les Ross, Kevin Murphy, David Borthwick, Dr Mairi McFadyen, Alyne Jones, Robert Livingston, Kirsty Turpie, Denis Stewart, Stuart Paterson, David Francis, Dr Kerry Morrison, and Tom Pow. Thanks also to Voluntary Arts Scotland and their publication Walking with Common Cause which inspired the evening. Full details available over on The Stove website here