Wigtown Memory Cafe – January
2026-01-09 10:00 - 11:30 (Europe/London) | The Wigtown Ploughman, 30 South Main Street, Wigtown, DG8 9HG, United Kingdom
Story time with Renita Boyle

A supportive café for anyone affected by memory loss and their carers. Come along, share a cuppa, some memories, some experiences and some fun. There will be biscuits, maybe cake…

Memory enhancing activities. What activities would you like to see? Come and have a chat and let us know. Meet our lovely volunteers and get advice. Run by Wigtown volunteers with support from Alzheimer Scotland.

Please phone Allison on 07891 892603 for more information.

The second Friday of every month.

Chess Club
2026-01-21 13:00 - 15:00
Fancy a game of chess in good company? The chess club sessions at the pub are relaxed, friendly and open to all — whether you’re a seasoned player or still figuring out which way the knight moves. Drop in for a game, a chat, and a pint, and see where the board takes you.Chess Club happens every Wednesday.

Trad Music Session - January
2026-01-21 19:00 - 21:30
Join us for a slow trad session – open to listeners and players alike! We aim to have a Trad Music Session every 3rd Wednesday of the month.

Informal Afternoon Music Session
2026-01-23 15:00 - 17:30
Join Jim on melodeon, Francie on spoons & Andy on concertina, with songs from Liverpool & Tyneside, Ireland, Scotland & maybe Hank Williams. Songs by the fire on a blustery afternoon. Perfect.

Wigtown Writers Hitchhikers Launch Event
2026-01-24 14:00 - 16:00
As the launch event in Barcelona ends, the Wigtown Writers group will be meeting to play their part.

Anyone reading this who does not know what the Wigtown Writers group is about, should direct any enquiries to its fabulous convenor, Mr Liam Murphy.

You can contact him at thegallery133@gmail.com

Phil’s Quiz Night – January
2026-01-30 19:30 - 21:30
Another fully booked quiz! Keep your eyes open for the February quiz, any questions, or if you want to be added to the reserve list for this quiz, please email quizmaster@thewigtownploughman.co.uk

Dave Cowles - Music Maestro
2026-01-31 20:00 - 23:00
Join Dave Cowles, half of the wonderful duo MAD on Saturday evening for an evening of music for everyone! Big thank you to Stephanie for booking this event and sharing her birthday with the community. Happy birthday!!

Open Music Session – February
2026-02-06 19:30 - 22:00
Happens on the first Friday of every month! Bring your sound, your soul, your style. No stage, no pressure – just music. All genres welcome. All skill levels celebrated. Open jam. Open hearts. Open ears. Listen to a taste of a previous Open Music Night Hosted by Bre Martin

Wigtown Memory Cafe – February
2026-02-13 10:00 - 11:30
Machars’ memories with David’s photographsA supportive café for anyone affected by memory loss and their carers. Come along, share a cuppa, some memories, some experiences and some fun. There will be biscuits, maybe cake… Meet our lovely volunteers and get advice.Run by Wigtown volunteers with support form Alzheimer Scotland.Please phone Allison on 07891 892603 for more information.

Afternoon Music Session
2026-02-13 15:00 - 17:30

Valentine's Music Night
2026-02-14 20:00 - 23:00
Join Ant and Mia Hobson for a heartwarming night of romantic live music! Starts at 8pm.

Trad Music Session - February
2026-02-18 19:00 - 22:00

Phil’s Quiz Night – February
2026-02-27 19:30 - 21:30
We are taking bookings for Phils 50th Quiz Night! This gets booked fast…

As per usual, to book in, email quizmaster@thewigtownploughman.co.uk

Wigtown Memory Cafe – March
2026-03-13 10:00 - 11:30
Story time with Renita BoyleA supportive café for anyone affected by memory loss and their carers. Come along, share a cuppa, some memories, some experiences and some fun. There will be biscuits, maybe cake… Meet our lovely volunteers and get advice.

Run by Wigtown volunteers with support form Alzheimer Scotland.

Please phone Allison on 07891 892603 for more information.

Phil’s Quiz Night – March
2026-03-27 19:30 - 21:30
We are taking bookings for Phils Quiz Night! This gets booked fast… As per usual, to book in, email quizmaster@thewigtownploughman.co.uk

Wigtown Memory Cafe – April
2026-04-10 10:00 - 11:30
Sharing local memories with KenA supportive café for anyone affected by memory loss and their carers. Come along, share a cuppa, some memories, some experiences and some fun. There will be biscuits, maybe cake… Meet our lovely volunteers and get advice.

Run by Wigtown volunteers with support form Alzheimer Scotland.

Please phone Allison on 07891 892603 for more information.

Open Music Session - May
2026-05-01 20:00 - 22:00
Happens on the first Friday of every month! Bring your sound, your soul, your style. No stage, no pressure – just music. All genres welcome. All skill levels celebrated. Open jam. Open hearts. Open ears. A free evening for all, no ticket required. Open Music Night hosted by the wonderful Bre Martin

Ian McNeillie - Being John McNeillie's Son
2026-05-02 19:00 - 20:30
Join us at The Wigtown Ploughman for a special evening celebrating the powerful novel after which the hotel is named. Ian McNeillie, son of author John McNeillie, will share insights into his father’s life and work, alongside his friend – Guardian writer, and BBC radio presenter – Mark Lawson. Expect stories, reflections, and conversation around this important piece of Galloway’s literary heritage.

Lawrie Johnston - Author talk
2026-05-11 14:30 - 15:30
Lawrie Johnston will be talking about his second novel “A Raven Rising” in the Wigtown Ploughman’s lounge on Monday 11th May at 2.30pm. We had the pleasure of hosting Lawrie for his 1st historical novel “Who Served Well” which was a powerful account of the lives of servicemen from the Galloway Hills who went away to fight in WW1. A Raven Rising takes us back to 1307 and follows the life of Thomas, a shepherd from the Galloway Hills. Lawrie is a retired history teacher and has a talent for combining historical fact with fiction to weave beautiful and very human stories.

The event is free, with a book signing and Q&A at the end, booking is required however due to space availability. Please contact New Chapter Books directly (not through any Facebook posts) just send a direct message email (mail@newchapterbooks.co.uk) or pop into the shop.

This is going to be a good one folks!

Wigtown Shindy Quiz
2026-05-13 19:30 - 21:30
Do you love the Shindy? Do you love quizzes? Oh, you like both? Perfect!

We’re holding a quiz next month to raise vital funds for the 2026 Shindy, so that we can bring you fantastic music and entertainment acts for FREE on the 13th to 16th August. We have another brilliant batch of performers coming to Wigtown this summer, including an amazing QUEEN tribute band!

What do you need to know?

Where: The Wigtown Ploughman

When: Wednesday 13th May

Time: 7.30-9.30pm

Details: Teams of 3-5 people can compete in 6 subject-themed rounds plus a music round hosted by Quizmaster Matt Kitson, to win a prize and declare themselves Shindy Quiz Legends.

To book your team, please email matt@driftwoodcinema.org. Teams will be allocated tables according to team numbers and table space, up to a maximum of 17 teams. First come, first served.

Cost: £15 per team

We’ll also be holding a raffle on the night and accepting donations towards this year’s event. We look forward to seeing you!

Dave Against The Machine
2026-05-16 20:00 - 22:00
Prepare your ears for Dave Against the Machine – he’s playing music by people who are either dead or too expensive to see for real! Expect classic rock, pop, country. Essentially anything but ABBA.

Trad Music Session - May
2026-05-20 19:00 - 21:30
The third Wednesday of the month is our Trad Night and it’s on the 20th May from 7pm! Join the loveliest local musicians with your instruments or just bring your ears and come and enjoy their music and energy. Massive thanks to Steve on the lead fiddle and Joyce and Ian from The Old Bank Bookshop for their wonderful drive to keep traditional music alive, and fostering such a wonderful spirit of community through music.

Phil's Quiz Night - May
2026-05-29 20:30 - 22:30
We are taking bookings for Phil’s Quiz Night! This gets booked fast… As per usual, to book in, email quizmaster@thewigtownploughman.co.ukPlease note the slightly later start time of 8:30pm!
