DETAILS about the future of the Dunoon-Gourock town centre ferry service will not -as previously hoped - be revealed in September, it emerged yesterday (Thursday).

DUNOON CYCLISTS have rallied around after Dunoon Presents and No Fuss Events made the decision to cancel some Sportive events this weekend and the free family fun ride is very much still on.

Local riders who would have competed in the longer events have now decided to join the free entry family ride, and they are determined to spin their wheels this weekend.

The event - starting at noon on Sunday from Dunoon Pier - will also be boosted by Dunoon Men’s Shed, who are encouraging people to bring along old, ailing bikes and ‘recycle their cycles’.

The free family day also includes special bike face-painting, music and medals for all participants.

Happy, smiling faces of the team of swimmers setting off this morning for the sixth annual Clyde Charity Swim.

Fastest time across the Clyde from just south of the Cloch Light was 43 minutes by Chris Gorman.

Congratulations to local girls Kerry Thorup and LLorna Vinson who came in as third and fourth female swimmers.

More coverage and pictures in next week's Observer.

There was fighting on the beaches at Inveraray this afternoon as a Viking horde descended on the Royal burgh.

And the crowds turned out to watch, photograph and film them as they were repelled by native Scots - all trying to be fierce but with quite a lot of grins on some of their faces.

The horde was the first cohort of a sustained attack on Loch Fyne’s shores taking place from today until Sunday as part of the Loch Fyne Viking Festival.

And a lot of fun it is too.

The festival continues at Lochgilphead, Ardrishaig and Tarbert on Friday July 7. Saturday sees the re-enactment of the Magnus Barfot longship portage from West Loch Tarbert to East Loch Tarbert and Sunday sees the Viking fleet sail to Portavadie and back. With music from Swedish group Medvind, a ceilidh and a barbecue as well as re-enactmetns of Viking battles and archery contests it’s a very busy weekend.

More details in the Observer tomorrow, Friday.

Argyll has a long Viking history, which will be celebrated in five Loch Fyne villages during the Loch Fyne Viking Festival starting on Thursday. July 6.

The event takes place over four days, ending on Sunday July 9, in Ardrishaig, Inveraray, Lochgilphead, Portavadie and Tarbert.