Museums & Art Galleries in Sanquhar
Sanquhar may be a small village, but it still welcomes visitors and locals alike to its varied museums, galleries, public artworks and arts & crafts facilities.
A’ The Airts
A’ the Airts is a community arts and crafts centre on Sanquhar’s High Street, the result of an impressive initiative by local residents. With hard work, determination and financial support from the Big Lottery and the Scottish Government among others, a run-down building has been transformed into an attractive cultural centre with workrooms, theatre and exhibition gallery.
The venue supports a diverse schedule of arts and crafts events, music, drama, poetry and film nights, while bringing local people and tourists together. The building is accessible and has a popular café and shop, which sells locally made crafts including the distinctive Sanquhar pattern knitwear. Check the website at the link below for current opening hours.
Location
A’ The Airts Community Art Centre and Café
8-16 High Street,
Sanquhar
DG4 6BL
Contact
Visit: A’ The Airts Website
Email: contact@atheairts.org.uk
Phone: 01659 50514
Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum
Located in the former tolbooth building (tolbooth being a typical municipal building of a Scottish burgh, containing the town council, court and jail), the Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum reflects the history of the town. Again, the Sanquhar knitting tradition features along with artefacts and audio-visual presentations that illustrate the lives of local folk in times past, from miners to prisoners in the jail.
The building itself dates to the mid-18th century and occupies a prominent location on the town’s High Street, where the main A76 Road narrows to navigate around the tolbooth.
Entry is free. The museum caters for families with children but is not an accessible building, being accessed by steps. Dogs are not permitted except for assistance dogs. There is free parking in the surrounding vicinity.
Location
Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum
High Street
Sanquhar
DG4 6BN
Contact
Visit: Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum Website
Email: dumfries.museum@dumgal.gov.uk
Phone: 01659 50186
MERZ Gallery
Close to the Tolbooth Museum, MERZ Gallery is a multi-purpose art space housed in what was the site of a lemonade factory and abattoir.
MERZ offers exhibition space, indoors and out, plus opportunities for artistic residencies and workshops. Residency accommodation in some interesting buildings is also available for artists and authors.
Exhibitions vary so visitors may wish to check the website or contact the gallery prior to visiting to find out what’s currently on show.
Accessible free parking is located nearby.
Location
MERZ Gallery
Queens Road
Sanquhar
DG4 6DH
Contact
Visit: Merz Gallery Website
Email: hello@merz.gallery
Phone: 07906 692 506
Striding Arches
The magnificent Striding Arches by Andy Goldsworthy (pictured here) near Moniaive and on the Southern Upland Way from Sanquhar to Dalry are a must see on your visit. This world class, site set in a wild and beautiful forest, is free and open to all and was devised by international artist Andy Goldsworthy with a series of walks centred around 4 12ft sandstone arches.
Note that access to the site is by single track road with passing places; some visitors report difficulty with the surface. Off-road transport may be advisable.
Location
Striding Arches
Southern Upland Way,
Thornhill,
Dumfries & Galloway,
DG3 4NN
Contact
Visit: Andy Goldsworthy Official Website
Visit: Striding Arches at VisitScotland
