The Dragonfly

09/11/2023

🎄🎄DATE FOR YOUR DIARY🎄🎄
Auchencairn Village Hall is hosting a Christmas Fayre on 26th November
11am-3pm
Interested in booking a stall?
Get in touch!
Tables only £5
More details of stall holders to follow.

19/10/2023

Long time no post, folks!
I wanted to share that Emaline and Lukas are playing at Eskdalemuir tomorrow evening. They were my very first music booking at The Dragonfly and were absolutely fantastic. Get yourself along if you can…you won’t be disappointed!

EMALINE DELAPAIX DUO......IMPORTANT UPDATE.

We are so lucky that Emaline and Lukas are willing to come all the way to Eskdalemuir to share her music with us. She is not in a position to come all the way here, for fewer than 15 people, due to financial restraints. So she will make her decision tomorrow afternoon if she is going to be able to come to the Hub.

To make sure that they do come, could everyone who is thinking of coming please book their ticket it would be much appreciated. You can call us on 01387373760 and you can make the payment over the phone, or pop in or leave a comment on this post and let us know you are definitely coming.

27/10/2022

Regrettably, GHR and The Dragonfly is having a bit of a hiatus for the foreseeable future. The current economic climate is making things simply too expensive for us to operate right now, so I’m taking a well-earned break (and back to full time teaching 🤔😂)
I’m sad, as I’ve worked really hard with GHR as well as The Dragonfly, but sometimes it’s best to pause and listen to your gut. Who knows what the outlook will be in a few years time? This doesn’t mean the end, just time out to take stock and decide which path to travel.
On a personal level, I’ve many exciting things to look forward to, such as a house move and new, special friendships in my life. Adventures beckon and I’m really excited about where these will take us!
Thankyou to all who have supported me over the years. Who thought global events and government policies would alter so many plans? But it is what it is and you know, I’m fine with that.
Take care and Thankyou once again 💕💕💕
Unbelievably, this is the only photo I can find of myself raising a toast!! With tea!!!

12/06/2022

Emaline Delapaix was the first musician to
play at The Dragonfly and I fell in love with her music that night. I listen to her work regularly and it reminds me so much of the wonderful times we had at The Dragonfly before the world was turned on it’s head.
Emaline has had some tough times with her health over the last 18 months, but I’m praying that one day she’ll be well enough to return to Auchencairn.
Have a listen to this exquisite song…oh how it helped me during tough times.

A song about letting go and finding strength within yourself to get through the darkest of times and back into the light. 'With Every Beat' taken from the 20...

05/06/2022

Some photos of The Dragonfly from 3 years ago popped up in my “Facebook memories” so I thought I’d take the opportunity to remind you that we do still intend to host our music nights (plus retreats, and themed events such as an evening of ghostly tales 👻)
The business model itself has changed somewhat, as the restaurant is not something I can run in what are still volatile times, but I’m fortunate that we have the accommodation itself which is busy with bnb and self-catering.
Hence other events will run in low season ie autumn, winter and spring. And we’ve already got the delightful Susi Briggs appearing in November-details to follow!
We’ve managed to weather the storm and I’ve lots of plans still for The Dragonfly. 😃
Photos are of some of our music nights that we held here, plus a birthday celebration in the yurt and a Christmas fayre.

01/06/2022

B&B availability weekend of 10-12th June. 2 nights.
3 rooms available, all en-suite. £70/night, including breakfast.

30/04/2022

Are you a bride-to-be who’s looking for a special weekend of pampering with your girlfriends before the big day? A weekend of yoga, meditation, wild swimming, treatments such as massage and perhaps a mini makeover? Or perhaps you’d rather we arranged a weekend of water sports, cycling or even golf?
You’d have the weekend catered for, so you don’t have to worry about wasting time in the kitchen…and of course, it would all be washed down with Prosecco!
We are based in south west Scotland.
If this appeals, why not drop me a message and we can discuss exactly what you’d like for that special weekend.
Bookings are being taken for Autumn/Winter 2022 and throughout 2023.

05/02/2022

Alan McClure and I are currently finalising the details for the writing weekend retreat that he will be leading in March. I’ll post further details tomorrow, but a little reminder tonight that accommodation is available to those who live further afield!

24/01/2022

Afternoon.
I wanted to touch base, as obviously things have been quiet with The Dragonfly due to further restrictions last year…but hopefully we’re going to see things return back to a semblance of “normailty” soon enough.
So this is a reminder that we do still offer:
Private dinner functions
Music nights-the format of these is going to change slightly, as I’m keen to use the yurt more frequently.
The venue is also available to hire for those who would like to run workshops/training courses/retreats/boot camp, to name just a few. As we have accommodation, there is the option to run courses etc over a number of days.
Do please get in touch if you’d like to discuss our packages. You can contact Esther on: 01556 640574

16/01/2022

If you’re a budding author or song lyricist, then look no further, as Alan McClure will be leading a writing workshop here in Auchencairn during the weekend of 12-13th March.
Further details to follow.
**accommodation available to those who live outwith the area**

14/12/2021

It is with deepest regret that Saturday night’s evening of blues with Adam Blake has had to be cancelled. This comes in light of the First Minster’s announcement today and subsequent cancellations, which really leaves me no choice.
I’ll do my utmost to continue with our events, workshops, retreats, B&B plus self-catering accommodation in the new year, so do please keep an eye on these pages.
Thanks to all those who continue to support The Dragonfly and Galloway Holistic Retreats. Have a wonderful and safe Christmas 💕💕

20/11/2021

And we’re back!

19/11/2021

3 places for Alan’s gig tomorrow night have become available. £30 for an evening of fantastic music and a 3 course meal.
Message me if you fancy a great night out 😀

13/11/2021

LAST call for Alan McClure’s gig next Saturday! We’re almost full, and can only accept a few more bookings.
For those who are having the meal, please let me know if you’ve any intolerances ASAP.
The menu is:
Starters:
Tapas (olive tapenade/sun dried tomatoes/Greek cheese/bruschetta)
Main:
Seitan meatballs in a slow roasted tomato sauce with linguine (gf available)
Dessert:
Tiramisu
£30
£10 music only

Also….don’t forget we have Adam Blake performing on Saturday 18th December and Chris Watkins Music on Saturday 15th January 2022.

02/11/2021

Did you know it’s only 53 days until Christmas? Unbelievable, isn’t it?!
We love Christmas in my house and one of my favourite childhood memories is the excitement about decorating the tree and the lounge at home, which I hope I’ve passed onto my son.
Which is why I’m so looking forward to the craft evening that’s being held here on Friday 19th November. Lorraine Jackson is an extremely talented crafter and she’s going to take us through the steps of how to make a Christmas wreath and garland.
What’s even better is that there’ll be Prosecco and cake to get us in the festive spirit!!
We are limited to spaces, so if you’d like to book your spot, do please get in touch. You can contact me on: 01556 640574/07766104505

19/10/2021

Tickets selling fast!

18/10/2021

Apologies to those who have tried to contact me on my mobile. There is an ongoing problem with receiving and making calls. You can contact me on WhatsApp if you have it!

18/10/2021

Tickets for Alan McClure’s gig on Saturday 20th November are starting to sell, so if you’d like to come along and see his fantastic work, contact me ASAP!
Tickets cost £30 for a three course meal, which includes the music, OR £10 for music only*
Accommodation is also available at a discounted price for those who have a little further to travel.
Contact me on 01556 640574/07766104505 to reserve your place.
*limited music only tickets

15/10/2021

11/10/2021

**Music Nights Are Back At The Dragonfly**
As we serve a three course meal during our music nights, we have been given the green light to start hosting again. Which means that it’s time to start booking in some fantastic acts…
So far, we’ve got a definite yes from:
Adam Blake: 18th December 2021
Alan McClure: 20th November 2021
Emaline Delapaix
Emily Murray
The Ramblin Hedgepigs
Chris Watkins: 15th January 2022
The Mary Barclay Band
Pringle and Blantern
It’s now just a case of pencilling in dates…

If you’re interested in appearing at The Dragonfly, why not get in touch and hopefully we can arrange a suitable date. Things may, of course, change, but isn’t it time we tried to get back to “normal”?

I’ll keep you updated and fingers crossed, our music events will once again be the roaring success that they were before the world went bonkers!
Tickets: 3 course dinner plus music £30
Music only: £10