Posted Friday, 13th February 2026

This month, we’re shining a spotlight on freelance life in rural Scotland by chatting with Darby about the highs, lows and opportunities of building a business outside the city.

Darby has lived in Lockerbie since relocating in 2021 and brings with her a strong background in marketing. Since moving to the area, she has been working closely with local organisations, supporting them to grow their digital presence while balancing the realities of rural working and family life.

In this feature, Darby shares her experiences of freelancing in Lockerbie, the importance of community, and what support can make a real difference for small businesses and freelancers in Dumfries & Galloway.

Now, over to Darby.

What has been a take away from relocating to Lockerbie?

Running a freelance business in a rural town comes with its own positives and negatives. 
For me, working as a social media and digital marketing specialist in Lockerbie has been 
about balancing flexibility, community connection and the realities of helping others build a 
business outside larger cities.

Tell us about your business and why you came to Lockerbie?

Before moving to Lockerbie, I spent several years working in a range of marketing roles in 
Portsmouth, my hometown. I gained much experience across different sectors and 
organisations. In 2021, my family and I relocated to Lockerbie, which marked a turning 
point in how I needed to approach my career.
With two young children, freelancing offered the flexibility I needed while still allowing me 
to build a career that used my knowledge and experience. What began as (on the side) 
freelance client work quickly developed into a business focused on supporting small 
businesses, charities and community organisations with their digital presence.
Today, my work spans social media strategy, content creation, digital training and event 
delivery, all rooted in helping organisations feel more confident, consistent and visible 
online without feeling overwhelmed.

What is the reality of working in a small town?

There are real benefits to running a business in Lockerbie. Relationships really do matter 
here, and word of mouth is very important when it comes to marketing. People recommend 
each other, support local work and show up when something new is happening. That 
sense of trust is invaluable as a freelancer, but building trust is what I’ve found seems to 
be challenging for small businesses across Dumfries & Galloway.
Rural business life does come with challenges. Visibility can be harder to achieve, 
professional isolation can creep in, and access to flexible workspaces or peer networks 
isn’t always straightforward. Over time, as my business has grown, those challenges have 
shifted, but they haven’t disappeared. That’s why connection and collaboration remain so 
important to me.

 

What support and networks have used and what do you feel is missing?

Support has come in many forms, informal peer advice, local networks and organisations 
offering business guidance across Dumfries & Galloway. Having access to people who 
understand the local area makes a real difference.
That being said, there’s still a need for more shared spaces, regular opportunities to learn 
from each other, and accessible support that doesn’t feel intimidating. Freelancers and 
small businesses benefit hugely from places where ideas, challenges and experiences can 
be shared openly, this is where I believe the Lockerbie Old School project will be very 
appreciated by fellow freelancers like myself. 

Do you feel community and connection plays a role in your work?

The Lockerbie community plays a huge role in my work. Local businesses have trusted me 
with their stories, events and growth. Being able to pop into a shop, attend a local event, or 
bump into collaborators in town strengthens working relationships in a way that’s hard to 
replicate elsewhere.
What I value most is the willingness people have here to support one another. There’s a 
genuine sense of shared purpose when it comes to keeping the town thriving.

What would you like to see more of in Lockerbie?

Like many freelancers, I’ve worked from home for most of my business journey. While that 
offers flexibility, it can also feel isolating. Access to shared workspaces, meeting rooms 
and creative hubs would make a real difference, not just practically, but socially.
That’s why the development of spaces like the Lockerbie Old School hub feels so 
important. Shared environments encourage collaboration, spark ideas and help small 
businesses feel less alone.

Do you have any advice for others and what are your hopes for the future?

For anyone thinking about starting a business in Lockerbie, my advice would be simple: 
lean into the community. Talk to people, ask questions, attend events and don’t be afraid to 
start small. Growth doesn’t have to be fast to be meaningful.

Looking ahead, I hope to see more opportunities for freelancers and small businesses to 
connect, collaborate and grow locally. With the right spaces, support and shared ambition, 
rural towns like Lockerbie can be powerful places to build a business

Darby will be speaking at our upcoming Monthly Networking Event on:

Date: 23rd February 

Time: 11am

Place: Lockerbie Town Hall.

Link to reserve your free space: Business Network Events by Lockerbie Old School | Eventbrite 

Connect with Darby over on LinkedIn Here- https://www.linkedin.com/in/darbymaystewart/