LEARN Dumfries

MND Scotland is bringing our Lived Experience and Researcher Network (LEARN) events to the Scottish Borders in 2026.  

Since 2024, we have invited people affected by MND and MND researchers to come together to share their experiences, knowledge, and research.  This year we will be heading to Dumfries with an interactive, engaging event for people to discuss MND research, and, of course, enjoy some coffee, tea and biscuits.  

MND Scotland has been working with Queen of the South FC to welcome the MND community to Palmerston Park for LEARN. 

LEARN events are free to attend. We would greatly appreciate it if you could register your interest in attending via the registration form below (so we can make sure we order enough refreshments for everyone!). Full information about the event and venue can be found below. 

We look forward to seeing you there. 

Date: Tuesday 29 September 2026 

Time: 13:00 to 16:00 – Please note, the event will close at 16:00, but attendees may remain at then venue until 17:00 to chat, if they wish. 

Location: 1919 Suite, Queen of the South Arena, Palmerston Park, Lochfield Rd, Dumfries DG2 9BA 

Link to registration form: MND Scotland local LEARN event note of interest 2026 – Fill out form 

Access to the event room: Enter the Queen of the South Arena using the main entrance, go left once inside and walk towards the ticket office. At the ticket office booth turn right and follow the corridor, past the club shop to the end. At the end of the corridor turn left and walk straight ahead. The 1919 Suite is the second set of double doors on your right.  

Parking: Parking is also available at the Queen of the South Arena, including 5 accessible parking bays.  

Public transport:  

The Train Station is in the town centre and is a 35-minute walk from the stadium. The 373, 500, 502c, 503 and 555 buses (information below) can be caught at a stop right outside the train station. 

The Houston’s Coaches 9 bus, Dumfries – Summerhill, and Houston’s Coaches 373 bus, Dumfries – Shawhead, both stop on Terregles Street. A 5-minute walk from the arena entrance. 

The Houston’s Coaches 8 bus, Dumfries Town Centre – Cargenbridge, Houston’s Coaches 79 bus, Gretna – Dumfries, Houston’s Coaches 111 bus, Dumfries Town Centre – New D&G Infirmary, Houston’s Coaches 372 bus, Dumfries – Dalbeattie, Houston’s Coaches 500 bus, Dumfries – Stranraer, McCall’s Coaches 501 bus, Dumfries – Kirkcudbright, Houston’s Coaches 502c bus, Dumfries – Castle Douglas, McCall’s Coaches 503 bus, Dumfries – Castle Douglas, McCall’s Coaches 505 bus, Kirkcudbright – Dalbeattie, McCall’s Coaches 521 bus, Dumfries to Laurieston, Dumfries and Galloway Council 555 bus, Kirkcudbright – Dumfries and the Houston’s Coaches 796 bus, Dumfries – Dalbeattie, all stop on Laurieknowe near Maxwellton West Church. This is a 10-minute walk from the arena entrance. 

Lift dimensions: N/A – The venue and bathrooms are ground level access. 

Accessible bathroom dimensions: Door width is 86cm. There are two accessible bathrooms past this door, each with a door width of 94cm.  

Provisional event schedule: 

13:00 – Event opens 

13:10 – MND Scotland welcome 

13:20 – What MND means to me – lived experience talk 

13:35 – Researcher lightning talks around tables 

14:00 – Comfort break 

14:15 – Researcher presentation and questions 

14:30 – Round table discussion session  

15:10 – Comfort break 

15:25 – Round table resumes 

15:50 – MND Scotland thank you and close 

16:00 – Event closes (attendees may remain at then venue until 17:00 to chat, if they wish) 

If you have any questions, you can get in touch at research@mndscotland.org.uk.