Nithraid returns! Join us on the river and battle it out for the best time. Sailing, Rowing, Kayaks and other water vessels welcome!
The Nith is a tidal river that runs through the historic market town of Dumfries, connecting the town to the sea, which in the 18th century saw the town and its neighbouring villages of Glencaple and Kingholm Quay become one of Scotland’s largest and busiest trading ports.
To celebrate this rich history, we hold an annual River Race, which sees teams of coastal rowers, sailing boats and various person-powered vessels race the river, battling for the best time with each boat carrying a cargo representing goods that was traded in those times.
The river’s importance to Dumfries as the region’s largest market town is immortalised in the Nithraid logo. Our festival mascot, ‘Salty Coo’ symbolises the historic journey made by herds of cattle, led by their farmers, across the river at low tide, from Maxwelltown on the west bank to the cattle market at Whitesands on the east side of the river. This historic crossing site now marks the end half-way point of the Nithraid River Race.
Classes:
Unrestricted sailing dinghy race.
Coastal Rowing Assoc. St Ayles Skiffs.
Racing Kayaks
Other watercraft
Course:
The 2025 Nithraid is a River Race over a navigable section of the river Nith between Glencaple and Dumfries.
Nithraid is a celebration of the river Nith in the life of the community and a regular racing fixture on the national calendar. Please tell everyone you know who may be interested in taking part to contact the organisers.
Full details are on event page. Follow link
