A drystane dyker, horse loggers, a river keeper, a musician and a yoga teacher – just some of the people photographed by Trinity Coombs who live and work in the lands along the River Nith.
The 22-year-old photographer will be showing work from a series of projects at this year’s Spring Fling open studios weekend on 23 to 25 May.
One of these projects, A Rich Seam, was a year-long documentary study of how landscape shapes the lives and creativity of the people of Nithsdale, from the river’s source along its 71 miles to the Solway Firth.
Trinity is among more than a dozen photographers, and a total of 111 artists and makers of every kind, and in all parts of Dumfries and Galloway, who will be throwing open their studio doors to the public for Spring Fling.
Her work has also earned her one of this year’s sought-after Upland Emerge Bursaries for early career artists (see notes below),
Among those photographed for A Rich Seam were:
- Andy Goldsworthy, sculptor photographer and environmentalist
- Alan Sutherland a drystane dyker whose work continues a centuries-old craft that shapes the local landscape
- Steffi Schaffler, David Roycroft and their apprentice Zen Smylie who use horses for their forestry work.
- Howard Rankin, a seasoned fishing guide and river keeper whose life is intertwined with the river Nith itself. More than a guide, he’s a guardian of its stories and traditions.
- Jane Bailey who teaches health and wellbeing through yoga, meditation, and reiki. Nature plays a central role in Jane’s practice, and she regularly turns to the outdoors as a source of calm, clarity, and grounding.
- Emily Smith, award-winning singer, songwriter and composer. Deeply inspired by the landscape of Dumfries and Galloway, her music blends tradition and original material.
Trinity, who studied at Glasgow City College before returning to live and work in Dumfries and Galloway after graduating, said: “My work is rooted in storytelling and is about connecting and engaging with people and the land.
“While documenting A Rich Seam, I met such interesting and knowledgeable people and encountered a wide range of landscapes along the River Nith from its source in the hills to the Solway Firth.
“Through this, I came to understand the many ways people use, respond to, and draw inspiration from the land around them.”
Visitors can meet Trinity and see her work at the Old School Thornhill, Station Road, Thornhill.
Spring Fling (which is run by Upland CIC arts development organisation) is Scotland’s premiere open studios event.
There are six suggested colour-coded routes which visitors can take. They can also check out the different artists and makers online or look them up in the Spring Fling brochure.
Spring Fling 2026 photographers
- Kim Ayres
- Trinity Coombs
- Alistair Hamilton
- Marianne Le Gallo
- Leeming & Paterson
- Stephanie Lightbown
- Morag Macpherson
- Ian McKinnell
- David Quinn
- Amanda Simmons
- Mark Welland
- Allan Wright.
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Notes for editors
About Spring Fling
- The weekend is a chance to explore a beautiful rural region, with participating studios from Langholm in the east to Portpatrick and the Mull of Galloway in the west.
- Spring Fling visitors have the option of following a series of six colour-coded routes which take them round studios in different parts of the region.
- Bus tours are available, giving people the chance to let someone else do the driving – and reducing carbon emissions.
- Standard opening times are 10am to 5.30pm, but many studios have special evening openings as well.
- Follow us on social media @spring_fling
About the Emerge Bursaries
Emerge is a programme of mentoring and a bursary of £1,000 for early career artists or makers, working in any visual art or craft medium, who have a strong connection to Dumfries & Galloway. This year Upland awarded two Emerge Bursaries which will see each recipient paired up with an experienced Upland artist or maker. As well as creating new work and taking part in Spring Fling, the recipients will also benefit from ‘go and see’ trips, networking and training opportunities. Emerge aims to provide support which will enable the participants to develop both creatively and professionally providing a stepping stone between education or employment and a career in the arts.
- This year’s bursaries are supported by The Holywood Trust and Creative Scotland.
About Upland
Vision
- Creating a sustainable, innovative and inclusive visual arts and crafts sector in Dumfries and Galloway.
Mission
- To provide leadership in the visual art and craft sector regionally, collaborating with the cultural sector across Dumfries and Galloway and beyond.
- To raise the profile of the visual art and craft sector of our rural area in a national and international context and build meaningful partnerships to support this.
- To listen to local visual artists and makers and respond by providing relevant support and act as a collective voice to advocate on their behalf.
- To support the engagement of a wide diversity of audiences in visual art and craft and initiate opportunities that promote inclusive, meaningful participation.
- To produce and facilitate ambitious creative projects that are innovative and experimental in approach.
Aims
- To produce and deliver festivals, events, and experimental projects of the highest quality that are rooted in place and far reaching in scope.
- To nurture the development of artistic excellence so that it thrives and grows
- To inspire and engage a diverse range of people to celebrate, participate in and be supportive of visual art and craft practice.
- To raise the profile of visual artists and makers locally, nationally and internationally fulfilling a crucial role in the culture, economy and tourism of Dumfries and Galloway.
- To actively work to reduce our impact on the climate and environment and embed positive climate action in our work.
Its funders are Creative Scotland, D&G Council, The Holywood Trust, ASWT, Barfill.
For media information contact Matthew Shelley on 07786 704299 or at Mjhshelley@hotmail.co.uk or call Upland on 01387 213 218.