MUSICAL BIG-HITTERS SET FOR INVERARAY FESTIVAL

Last Updated on Thursday, 21 June 2012 15:41 Written by Gordon Neish Thursday, 21 June 2012 15:18

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INVERARAY’S Best of the West Festival will feature two big musical names for its 2012 event - Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Skerryvore - the Dunoon Observer can reveal.

This year will see the festival’s second outing on September 15 and 16 and it is set to be much bigger than 2011’s popular event.
Set in the stunning grounds of Inveraray Castle the festival is a showcase for, as its name implies, the best the west of Scotland has to offer - from music to food and drink.

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers on the Sunday afternoon and Skerryvore on Saturday evening are sure to be the main musical draws, but the festival will feature a plethora of popular local talent including The Camans on Saturday and Dr Hip and the Blues Operation to round the festival off on Sunday evening.

Food and Drink will be featured strongly, with the Best of the West Malt Whisky Challenge pitting all 22 West Coast Distillers against each other in a light-hearted ‘peoples tasting’, where the votes of the whisky drinking public decide who gets the Dukes trophy. The fantastic Food from Argyll Team will provided the catering, along with local food suppliers and iconic brands such as Inverawe smokeries, and Loch Fyne Seafood.

A plethora of children’s entertainments are on offer, including the fantastic Drakes of Hazard.

Outdoor pursuits are also featured, with Argyll Adventure and Oban’s Stramash providing abseiling,(from the castle turrets) archery, horse riding, kayaking and survival skills and many more.

Mike Story of Argyll and The Isles Tourism said: “This is a fantastic event which will showcase the very best of what of area does so well, combining fantastic music with world class food and drink, and some of the best outdoor activities anywhere in the country, all set in grounds of the historic Inverary castle.
“A huge thanks go to the Duke and Duchess of Argyll for giving this fantastic venue for free, and for seriously getting their sleeves rolled up and stuck in at every level.”

Mr Story continued: “We have had real sponsorship and support from Calmac, Macrihanish Dunes West Coast Motors, Crearar Hotels, Argyll and Bute council, Visit Scotland, AIT and Inveraray Marketing Group, Argyll Adventure, Loch Fyne Whiskies, The George Hotel and many others which has enabled us to put such a great show together and really demonstrate how amazing Argyll and the Isles really are.”