Photo of
September 10, 2015
Bands, whisky and West Coast  produce keep the crowds smiling at BOWfest.
Bands, whisky and West Coast produce keep the crowds smiling at BOWfest.

The runaway success of last weekend’s Let’s Eat Glasgow! event helped prove that there is a huge appetite for festivals with local produce at their heart.

Should you need any more persuasion, then the Best of the West, or BOWfest, takes place at Inveraray Castle this Saturday and Sunday (12th & 13th September).

Music and whisky

Music, kids’ activities, crafts and whisky play a large part of the event’s appeal. On the music stages, bands such as Peatbog Faeries, Skipinnish and Skerryvore will be rocking the block along with many other familiar names.

Naturally, for the 5pm Dining blog, it is the local food producers and chef demos that catch the eye.

From Loch Fyne Oyster and Winston Churchill Venison to Inverawe Smokehouse and Bumble Puddings, there is no reason to go hungry around these parts.

There will also be plenty of culinary inspiration on offer as assorted local chefs bash the pans in front of the crowds. You can see the full line-up here.

Michelin star

We will make special mention of Graeme Cheevers of Martin Wishart at Loch Lomond. The Michelin star restaurant is rated a tremendous 4.9/5 by 5pm users and you can book in from here.

Usefully, West Coast Tours are running buses to Inveraray Castle from George Square in Glasgow, and from other surrounding towns.

In fact having seen the distillery line-up, the bus service seems a splendid idea.

Abhainn Dearg, Auchentoshan, Ben Nevis, Bruichladdich, Caol Ila, Lagavulin, Talisker and Tobermory are just a few of the whisky producers who will be at the event or will be represented there by their product.