Festivals in and around Loch Lomond

Coming up in May we have Booked which, as you might guess, is a literature festival. Organised by West Dunbartonshire Council library service this festival is just a few years old but already has a loyal local following and has an interesting programme with a great variety of authors speaking.

Events are held (mainly at libraries) throughout the area and there is the opportunity for Q & As and signing sessions at the end of each talk.

Over recent years I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to a tremendous range of interesting people; some first novelists, some seasoned household names, poetry and music, factual social history, biographies, shadow writers, world adventurers and local colour. Whether you're resident in the area or a visitor you are sure to find something of interest.

We've left copies of the programme in both cottages, tickets for the events are free and can be collected from West Dunbartonshire libraries.

Food and drink festivals are also a very welcome feature in the area and we have enjoyed visits to the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival sampling the goodies from great local producers. This year the festival is being held on 14th and 15th September at Loch Lomond Shores in Balloch. As well as food tasting we're always keen to see our favourite local Loch Lomond Brewery there too. Earlier in the year, 17th and 18th May, there's more craft beers to be enjoyed at the Helensburgh & Lomond Real Ale Festival which is a charitable event offering over 40 ales.

Lomond Folk Festival is being held from 26th-28th July this year. Held in Balloch Country Park (just 4 miles from East Cambusmoon) this is a family friendly folk festival on the banks of Loch Lomond. Day time and evening sessions featuring traditional and folk music are held with some drop-in free events as well as ticketed gigs. The bands and musicians are currently being announced with Shooglenifty (creators of techno ceilidh!) being one of the better known acts gracing this year's festival.

For more music and heritage we love Piping Live! which is being held at various venues in Glasgow from 11th - 18th August. This is a truly international event, the World Pipe Band Championships also take place on 17th and 18th August, so you can hear bands and musicians from all over the world as well as take part in classes, watch highland dancing and learn about the huge variety of piping and traditional music.