Organisers of the Cowalfest walking festival, scheduled for the 18th to 22nd September, have unveiled a comprehensive programme of 23 guided and special interest walks, talks and events aimed at all abilities.
The annual event, which started in 2002, has become one of the biggest walking festivals in Scotland and highlights the spectacular land and seascapes of the Cowal peninsula as well as the rich history and nature of this corner of Argyll.
This year’s walks include partnerships with a number of venues and organisations including Castle House Museum, Benmore Botanic Garden, Historic Kilmun, Forestry & Land Scotland, Bullwood Nature Trail, Holy Loch Nature Reserve, Friends of Glenan Wood and foraging expert Sharon Kerrigan of Wander & Wonder.
“It’s an exciting programme led by expert guides,” explained Cowalfest chair Andy Armstrong “and we’ve already had a number of enquiries from walkers from across the UK and abroad.
“A secure website booking system has been created at www.cowalfest.com where ramblers can find out more details and book their places on any of the walks.
“Most of the walks, many dog friendly, are priced at £10 per person and we also have use of a minibus in order to transport participants to and from some of the start and finish points. It will also be free for the under 16s when accompanied by an adult.
“We’ve already held a successful fundraising quiz at the Royal Bar in Innellan and a number of ‘pop-up’ walks with more planned in the run-up to the five-day festival,” added Andy.
The famous Coffin Route, from Glenkin to Inverchaolin, and hikes to the plane crash site at Stob Na Boine near Lochgoilhead are included as well as ‘old favourites’ such as the Benmore to Bheinn Mhor walk.
Andy went on “We’ve teamed up with Bullwood Nature Trail and the Friends of Glenan Wood near Portavadie to deliver new additions to a programme that includes ‘walks and talks’ covering the history of Innellan, Dunoon and Kilmun and the impressive geology of the south Cowal shoreline. There is something for everyone including our ceilidh at Innellan Village Hall on Saturday 20th September with a great range of raffle for prizes kindly donated by local businesses.
“Our aims are clear and it includes showcasing the wonderful scenery that makes up our corner of Argyll where the Scottish Highlands truly begin in terms of both geography and geology.
“Posters and leaflets will be circulated to many venues across Cowal over the coming weeks.
“We hope as many local people as possible will take part alongside visitors to the peninsula and it’s been very encouraging to see how much interest there is as we build on the success of the 2024 event, the first in five years following cancellations caused by the pandemic and rotten weather of 2023.
“We’re all keeping our fingers crossed that it will be blue skies all the way!” concluded Andy.
For more information please visit www.cowalfest.com or follow the event on Facebook.
