Louisa Birdsall Exhibition
Louisa Birdsall is an illustrator and designer. She has just produced the cover for David Clark’s debut novel. It features in the exhibition of her work as part of Thomas Tosh’s Summer Books 2025 events and exhibitons.
David Clark Book Launch: Epiphanies and Robberies
David Clark’s debut novel set in Dumfries and Galloway launches at Thomas Tosh on the 17th June. The event is part of Thomas Tosh’s Summer Books 2025 series of events and exhibitions.
Evening Book Launch: Ronald Turnbull's The Hillwalking Bible
Ronald Turnbull launches his latest outdoors guide, The Hillwalking Bible, at Thomas Tosh in Thornhill. Ronald will give a talk on ‘Walking in Dumfries & Galloway and the wilder world.’ There will be complimentary drinks and snacks. Copies of The Hillwalking Bible will be on sale. This is a free event, and there is no need to book.
Exhibition: Alison Proudlock
Alison Proudlock’s new exhibition at Thomas Tosh features both new original work and limited editions prints. “I’ve called the exhibition ‘My Country Life in Paint’, “ says Alison. “It perfectly sums up where my heart is.”
Alison’s father worked as a farming contractor in Galloway, one of six brothers, and one sister, “She was the boss, Auntie Gertie!” laughs Alison. Childhood days spent at the family’s farm just outside of Shawhead, created abiding memories “I loved it all. The black range, the tea pots, wellies, the smell of wet dogs. It was my life”
One of Alison’s teachers at Shawhead Primary School, spotted her painting talent in P3, when her daffodils painting inspired by Wordsworth’s ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud’ was shown off to classmates.
Over a decade later, Alison went on to study at the prestigious Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art between 1967-1971. “We had the best time,” says Alison, reminiscing of painting in the top floor studio with its views over the Tay. “It was all about draughtsmanship and classical training, and I was tutored by Alberto Morrocco, David McClure and Jack Knox.”
But a return to Dumfries & Galloway was never in question. “I am definitely not a city girl,” reflects Gatelawbridge-based Alison. “My life long love of Dumfries and Galloway is what inspires me to paint. My work is developed from a series of sketches before setting the final composition.” Alison chooses acrylics, oils or watercolours for her paintings
Nithsdale at its magical, predominates in Alison’s work. There’s snow filled clouds, white capped Upland foothills, brilliant blue sky days, lush leaves and grasses in spring and summer, glades of light, beehives in fields of yellow rapeseed, and open gates from bluebell woods leading onto bright pastures.
There’s also pictures of coastal sunsets on the Solway Coast, and her children and grandchildren feature in image of family fun in both Rockcliffe Bay. “I don’t feel whole if I don’t paint, there’s something missing in me if I don’t do it,” says Alison.
Exhibition: Dale Halliday
Dale Halliday’s new exhibition at Thomas Tosh features a mixture of landscape and still life in oil on canvas.
“My landscapes aren’t attempting to be exact representations, I would describe them as being based on combined memories of places,” says the artist.
As a student at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in the 1960s, Dale was taught by influential figures in the Scottish art scene including: Alberto Morrocco, David McClure and James Morrison. His oil paintings then were inspired by the buzz of the contemporary art scene and influential exhibitions such as ‘54:64’ at the Tate Gallery in London.
But life after Dundee took Dale down a different path. After graduating, he taught painting in Dumfries but in his art he became more focused on silversmithing and jewellery design that he had also studied at art college.
Dale went on to sell his jewellery at the fondly remembered store Opus that was a feature of Dumfries retail for almost forty years, and which he cofounded.
Like a lot of us in recent years, events have meant a return to things we value. And for Dale that is expressing himself through his oil paintings.
With a life long fondness of Chagall, his current paintings utilise different perspectives in the same work. And Dale also has a lasting admiration of Joan Eardley, whose work is in the collection of Gracefields in Dumfries.
“I remember being at an event at Dundee College, and Joan was there in her fisherman’s jersey. So though I didn’t get to talk to her, I can say I was in her presence!”
Cairn Chorus Friday 8th December 7.30pm
Cairn Chorus return to Thomas Tosh with their very special Christmas Concert. The community choir’s festive performance features songs magical and medieval
Doors open at 6.45pm. Performance begins at 7.30pm. Licensed Bar. Tickets available on the door or you can purchase tickets below.
Cairn Chorus | Friday 8th December 7.30pm
£12.00
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Thornhill Winter Festivities and Local Shopping
Thornhill gets festive for a special Sunday afternoon with street stalls and local shopping.
We will be running the cafe as normal until 2pm and then we will be moving to our post lunch menu of cakes (including mince pies) hot and cold drinks and licensed bar from 2pm. There will be mulled wine of course.
And our shop will be showing off its festive best, packed with gift ideas, and festive decorations.
Cairn Chorus Christmas Concert | Travellers far from home
Cairn Chorus return to Thomas Tosh with their very special Christmas Concert. The community choir’s festive perfomance features a range of seasonal music from across Europe.
Doors open at 6.45pm. Performance begins at 7.30pm. Licensed Bar. Tickets available on the door or you can purchase tickets below.
The Curry Guy Light
It's a welcome back to Dan Toombs, aka the Curry Guy, who has a bestselling range of curry books to his name.
Dan will be demonstrating recipes from Curry Guy Light, talking about his book and signing copies.
Dan will be showcasing dishes that are: lower in carbs and calories, fat and salt, without lacking flavour
Dan has perfected the art of replicating the taste of the British Indian curry house, through 20 years of travelling around our islands and sampling this great part of our food culture.
Tickets are £7 each and include a glass of wine or soft drink, and a taste of Dan’s curry light cooking. The ticket price also includes a single £5 discount on a copy of Curry Guy Light. You can buy tickets below
Clare Melinsky's Lino Cut printmaking workshop
+++This workshop is now fully booked+++
Learn how to lino-cut print or enhance your skills with the guidance of one of the top practitioners in the field, Clare Melinsky.
Lunch, refreshment and materials provided.
You can book your place below.
Clare Melinsky's Lino Cut printmaking workshop
+++This workshop is now fully booked+++
Learn how to lino-cut print or enhance your skills with the guidance of one of the top practitioners in the field, Clare Melinsky.
Lunch, refreshment and materials provided.
You can book your place below.
Cairn Chorus' Christmas Concert: The Conversation of Sheep
Inspired by the Conversation of Sheep poems of Hugh McMillan, the always popular Cairn Chorus return for their annual performance at Thomas Tosh. Licensed Bar. Tickets are available below.
When you buy your ticket, the email confirmation acts as your receipt/and ticket. There is no need to print out the ticket. Just show us on your mobile, or let us know on the door your booking name and the number of tickets you booked. :
Annie Sloan Workshop - Essential Paint Techniques 1
Learn the different techniques that you can achieve with Chalk Paint™ by Annie Sloan,so you can use the paints and waxes on your own projects at home.
Sue Lawrence
We’re delighted to once again be welcoming Sue, one of Scotland’s top food writers, to Thomas Tosh, for a special Saturday event.
At 11.30am, Sue will take part in a chaired discussion about her new cook book, A Taste of Scotland’s Islands. and her latest novel Down to the Sea. Entry is free, it is an extra bonus to our normal Saturday opening.
Sue will be signing copies of her books and be available to chat afterwards.
We will also be featuring recipes from A Taste of Scotland’s Islands.on our menu.
Scottish Vegan Cookbook Night
Jackie Jones demonstrates vegan cooking with a Scottish twist with recipes from her new cook book. She’ll help you see tofu in new ways and conjures up a vegan ‘black pudding’. Tickets £5 include tasters and a glass of wine or a soft drink, and includes a single £5 discount on a copy of the Scottish Vegan Cook Book. You can purchase tickets below.
Double Bill: My Name is Irrelevant & Myth of the Singular Moment
DG Arts Live presents
A DOUBLE BILL by Tortoise in a Nutshell
Join us for an evening of live music
storytelling and critically acclaimed new writing.
A unique double bill of Edinburgh Festival Fringe hits
by an award-winning team
My Name is Irrelevant - ‘Get caught in the web of another mind. Forget
who you are, become someone else.’
In a world created by your imagination it can be
difficult to work out what’s fiction and what’s reality.
A subtle and moving piece of new writing, blending spoken word with a live, original soundtrack. This poignant and intimate production layers humour and pathos in the exploration of an intensely personal story of loneliness and isolation.
‘Matthew’s arresting poetic performance skillfully
guides the audience through a fractured psyche’.
★★★★ The List
The Myth of the Singular Moment
With every choice we create a new universe. I make it, I don’t
make it, I make it, I don’t’. Two musician-performers take us
on a fantastical journey that links four characters in interconnecting
stories across the Multiverse. Combining live music with
projection, light and intricate prop play to create a story that straddles fantasy and reality. Your future is in an envelope. Would you open it? '
The production is a rousing hour-long celebration of
humanity and those fleeting moments and chance
encounters that end up carrying far more significance
in our lives than we imagine. Brilliant Stuff’
★★★★ Across the Arts, Nominee: Scottish Arts Club Award 2018
Tickets available here
Blash O God Launch: Poetry and Film Night
Hugh McMillan and Robert Campbell Henderson launch their Blash O God exhibition at Thomas Tosh with a night of poetry, film screening and much more. Free entry.
The Artist’s Tale Poetry Reading Night
Poetry writers from the Lit Room read new work inspired by the late artist Silvana McLean in this special event.
Exhibition Launch: Lucy Hadley
Lucy Hadley is at Thomas Tosh on the morning of Saturday 13th July to launch her new exhibition: Home and Away.
Ollie Rigg & Darragh Quinn
Ollie Rigg and Darragh Quinn marry the music of the West Coast of Ireland with tunes from the West of Scotland. Oliie on pipes and Darragh on the fiddle.
Their style is a blend of wholesome traditional melodies spliced with new, jazzier grooves that keep the sound lively and interesting. They’ve performed regularly throughout Scotland and recently in France, taking pride in sharing folk traditions with local people.
You can catch their sound here:
https://www.ollierigg.com/darragh-and-ollie
Licensed Bar (Doors open 6,45pm)
Buy Tickets below
Exhibition Launch: Kate Mink
Exhibition Launch. As part of Spring Fling 2019, California-based, but Nithsdale raised Kate Mink launches her new exhibition. Screen Prints, mixed media, and porcelain pieces evoke that space you cannot touch, the sounds you cannot hear, the worlds you cannot see or feel but might glimpse out of the corner of your eye.
Kate’s latest body of work is her continued attempt to capture the fleeting moment, find forgotten memories and stories and channel the benevolent ‘spirits/energies’ that are all around us now, then and in our future. Of course as always it has her longing for Scotland running all the way through it. The exhibition runs until July 2nd.
Free Entry and complimentary refreshments
Luminate 2019 Festival: Body Image and the Older Woman
Photographer Kim Ayres introduces his Women Over 50 project: bold, engaging nude portraits that seek to overturn dominant images of youth. . Join Maggie Broadley in conversation with fellow creative practitioners about these striking images and the issues they raise
Curry Guy Veggie Evening
Bestselling cookery writer Dan Toombs will be demonstrating recipes from his latest book Curry Guy Veggie and signing copies.
Paint Techniques 2
In our Chalk Paint™ Workshop - Techniques 2, we will be experimenting with several techniques to allow you to create something unique, beautiful and above all personal
You will get the chance to practice your new found skills and be able to take away your practice board for future reference
We will teach you how to get a high end finish that will make you want to transform your home!
On the day we will cover gilding, stencilling, image transfer and decoupage.
Lunch and coffee are provided by our cafe.
The Techniques 1 Workshop or previous furniture painting knowledge is a pre-requisite to this course.
On the day of your workshop you will receive a 10% discount on any Annie Sloan products you buy.
Workshops are held at our shop in the upstairs gallery and last 3 hours
If you have any questions, please call 01848 331553 or email us at info@thomastosh.com
Morgan McGlynn | The Modern Cheesemaker
Cheese expert Morgan McGlynn shares her knowledge, demonstrates how to make a cheese, gives tasting advice and signs her book at Thomas Tosh.
Annie Sloan Workshop - Essential Paint Techniques 1
THIS WORKSHOP IS NOW SOLD OUT But our next Essential Paint Techniques 1 course is on Sunday May 19th. You can book here.
In our three hour workshop we demonstrate the different techniques that you can achieve with Chalk Paint™ by Annie Sloan decorative paint.
Our aim is to give you the confidence to use the paints and waxes on your own projects at home.
We cover how to produce various looks such as 2 colour distressing, an aged look, crackling and a colour wash by painting on a board.
Help and advice is on hand from the team who have been trained by Annie Sloan, to assist you with any questions, in a friendly learning environment.
Lunch in our cafe is included and you will receive a 10% discount on any Annie Sloan products you buy in store on the day.
The workshop is held in our upstairs gallery of our shop in Thornhill, Dumfriesshire .
Please call 01848 331553 if you have any questions.
You can book your place below
Clare Melinsky's Lino Cut printmaking workshop
**SOLD OUT** Clare Melinsky's popular lino cut workshop at Tosh on Saturday 16th February 2019 is sold out.
Clare Melinsky's Lino Cut printmaking workshop
**SOLD OUT** Clare Melinsky is putting on a limited edition Friday version of her popular lino cut workshop at Tosh on Friday 15th February 2019 includes refreshments and lunch.
Clare Melinsky's Lino Cut printmaking workshop
**SOLD OUT** Clare Melinsky's popular lino cut workshop at Tosh on Saturday 9th February 2019 includes refreshments and lunch.
0r telephone: 01848 331 553.
Clare Melinsky's Lino Cut printmaking workshop
**Sold out **Clare Melinsky's popular lino cut workshop at Tosh on Saturday 2nd February 2019 includes refreshments and lunch.
Limited places still available on 9th and 16th February