Dumfries Drum Day is Scotland’s only dedicated drumming festival — a day packed with live performances, workshops, hands-on activities, and inspiration for all ages. Whether you’re a seasoned percussionist, a total beginner, or just love a good groove, this event brings the local and national drumming scene together in one unforgettable celebration.
Set in the heart of Dumfries, the festival blends big stage energy with grassroots creativity — and champions young talent, local artists, and the power of rhythm to bring people together.
Varied performances from experienced pros
Dr Clare Duffin is lecturer at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and currently leads the MA Music Programme. As a drummer, she has performed on BBC Quays Sessions; on live radio for BBC Scotland’s Afternoon Show; featured on TV in Canada - and even did a piece of one-off acting in a David Mackenzie feature film (‘You Instead’) as a rock drummer. She has taken to stages big and small: from pub gigs, to places like the Hard Rock Cafe, RockNess and Princes Street Gardens. In recent years, she completed a PhD developing a conceptual framework called ‘gender gapping’ focussed on better understanding the various gender gap issues in the music industry. Coming full-circle, her research now addresses ‘drumming and well-being’ - and commercially, she has a new project in the works launching soon under the band name ‘Duffins’.
By way of parental pressure, Andrew started playing drums at the age of nine (thanks, mum). Since then, he’s gotten a bit taller, studied at the University of Glasgow and Berklee College of Music.
Andrew has performed and recorded with dozens of artists including King King, Paul Gilbert, I Built the Sky, Regressor, John Irvine, Kirsty Keatch and many more.
In Edinburgh, Andrew runs Owl Shed Studios with his business partner Jack Davenport. He teaches extensively with a student roster of around 40 students as well as working with UK based function band The Phatcats, playing events up and down the UK.
A busy Dumfries based drummer you'll find Fergus playing with bands The Lucky Doves, Faded and now his own electronic percussion show! Fergus has had a vast career playing live, in theatres and recording. His ability to adapt to different genres and styles makes him a versatile asset to any production.
Fergus has also recorded at the BBC and STV and showcased for all the major record labels in the UK with various projects over the years.
Fergus has also played various tour dates on percussion for Steve Cradocks band with members of Ocean Colour Scene.
Callum hails from Largs on the west coast, and has been playing drums for over 20 years. A finalist in the UK Young Drummer of the Year contest in 2013, Callum has gone on to perform with artists such as The Script, Tom Walker, Madness, Cameron Barnes and Ross Miller.
Callum has also toured and performed extensively all around the UK, Europe, Asia and USA with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
When not playing drums out on the road, Callum can be found at his studio, Brookwood Recording, in Glasgow, recording drums for clients worldwide, as well as recording and producing music for other artists.
For over 20 years Dave has been obsessed with drums and the pursuit of drumming perfection. He’s carried this obsession into his online drum lesson videos that have been viewed millions of times by drummers all over the world.
Through his Instagram, YouTube and Online Drum School, Dave helps drummers practice smarter and unlock their own unique voice behind the drum kit.
As well as teaching and producing videos, he is an active clinician performing all over the UK including at the Glasgow Drum Day, UK Drum Show and back here at Dumfries Drum Day.