The seventh annual Best of the West Festival takes place in the grounds of Inveraray Castle this weekend.
Starting from this evening, visitors can look forward to live music, family entertainment, chef demos and, of course, lots of local food and drink.
At the time of writing, the weather forecast is not as promising as might be hoped. However, organisers pledge that most of the festival is under canvas and that there is not a drop of mud to be found anywhere.
In fact, they even go so far as to say that wellies won’t be necessary.
Whatever the weather – sure I’ve heard that phrase before somewhere – there is plenty to keep the crowds entertained.
Best of the West musical line-up
Some 21 different musical acts will be performing on two stages between tonight and the close of play on Sunday evening.
At the head of the bill are top notch acts such as Skipinnish, Skerryvore, Blazin’ Fiddles and Eddi Reader.
As part of the Scottish Food Fortnight, the festival also aims celebrate the provenance of Argyll food and drink.
Which means you can tuck into goodies from firms such as Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, Winston Churchill Venison, Real Mackay Stovies, Inveraray Castle Tearoom, Aye Love Scotch Eggs; lamb, burgers and pies from Shellfield Farm plus wood-fired pizza Glasgow’s Nomad.
Top chef demos
And if you want to see how the experts create some of the finest food in the region, the BOWFest Festival Kitchen will host eight local celebrity chefs on the Saturday and Sunday.
Cooking some of their signature dishes are, among others, Paul Leonard of the Isle of Eriska Hotel and Graeme Cheevers of Martin Wishart at Loch Lomond. Both restaurants have Michelin stars.
Visitors can also look forward to a demo from Gary Maclean, Master Chef: The Professionals 2016 winner.
Naturally, visitors won’t go thirsty. Inveraray’s George Hotel will host the beer and cocktail bars in association with WEST Beers.
And Loch Fyne Whisky Marquee will keep all the uisge beathe fans smiling. About twenty different West Coast distillers will be represented over the weekend.
BOW info
It’s about a 90 minute drive from Glasgow. However, if you would rather someone else takes the wheel, West Coast Tours is running transport and ticket packages from Glasgow, Oban and Dunoon.
The 7th annual Best of the West Festival runs 8, 9 & 10th September 2017 at the following times:
Friday: 6.30pm-11pm
Saturday: 11.30am-8.45pm
Sunday: 11.30am-7.45pm