The Cowalfest walking festival is firmly back on the map after five successful days of walks, talks and other events across the peninsula.
The event made a comeback after a four year hiatus with many walkers from across Cowal and further afield taking advantage of the range of scheduled hikes.
“It’s been a great success,” exclaimed Cowalfest chair Andy Armstrong “and I’d like to place on record my thanks to everyone who took part as well as the knowledgeable walk guides, partners such as the Castle House Museum, Bothy Project, Forestry and Land Scotland, Historic Kilmun and Sunbeams Nursery in Innellan.
“A lot of work has gone into this year’s event over the past ten months with the committed volunteers on the Cowalfest committee as well as Tom Morton and Ciorsdan Fagan going above and beyond the call of duty.
“Thanks also to the many generous local businesses who donated prizes for our ceilidh raffle. The ceilidh, held at Innellan Village Hall really did go with a swing with Canned Haggis guiding us through a range of traditional Scottish dances.
“The funding from Western Ferries, the National Lottery Community Fund, local donations and the kind people who refused to accept refunds for last year’s cancelled bookings have put us on a good footing for the future.
“It’s fair to say that Cowalfest is back on the map as one of Scotland’s biggest walking festivals and we’ll be looking to build on this year’s successes in 2025,” added Andy.
Feedback from participants was also overwhelmingly positive with one of the events coming in for special praise.
Davie Rutherford from Lochgilphead commented: “The Holy Loch Nature Reserve walk led by Dr Neil Hammatt was marvellous and inspiring to learn about the resilience of nature.”
Agnes Harvey from Blairmore, a former chair of Cowalfest and walk guide for the Carrick to Ardentinny ramble, echoed Davie’s words: “It was a fantastic walk and I’m so pleased that I got to see a kingfisher right at the start. The reserve is a precious natural resource that needs to be supported.”
Marie Flynn, a keen bird spotter, added: “It really was fascinating to see the range of wildlife on our doorstep.”
A climb up An Creachan and a geology walk along the Innellan shoreline, led by Dr Keith Torrance, kicked off the festival on the Thursday with blue skies overhead. Two fascinating talks at Castle House Museum were well attended and the Forest School event provided proof that Cowalfest isn’t just about the ‘oldies’!
Andy concluded: “We have tried to be as inclusive as possible with walks aimed at all abilities and I hope we’ve succeeded.
“There were a few logistical challenges that cropped up as you’d expect at an event over multiple days and locations but they were sorted out thanks, in part, to the understanding of walkers.
“It was also very encouraging to learn that many folks from beyond our spectacular corner of the world had booked accommodation specifically for the event.
“The challenge is to make next year’s Cowalfest even bigger and better. The work starts now!”
