UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR 2015
(Round Mull Race fleet 2014 - H. Kilpatrick 'Sarah')
With the New year looming and thoughts turning to the
cruising itineray for 2015 we thought it would be a good time to share just a
wee glimpse of the events on offer to those enjoying the waters of Scotland's
West Coast in 2015. Remember 2015 is Scotland's year of Food & Drink so in
addition to the annual favorites below there will be lots of other smaller
events to enjoy all over Scotland this year.
Mull Music Festival
Start: Thursday 23rd April to Sunday 26th April
The Mull Music Festival is a weekend of Scottish music featuring folk-rock bands, traditional fiddle & accordion dance and ceilidh bands, and Gaelic singers. It takes place largely in Mull's public houses spread around the island, plenty of variety is offered within Tobermory which has excellent facilities for those arriving by sea. The events aren't ticketed, and most are very crowded!
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Scottish Islands Peak Race
Start: 12 noon Friday 15th May (Finish entirely down to
weather and crew!)
This adventure race is for teams of Sailors and Fell Runners
(both adult and teenage) and is held annually on and around the most beautiful
parts of the West Coast of Bonny Scotland.
The Race starts in Oban with a short hill run, then a sail
to Salen on Mull, run over Ben More, sail to Craighouse on Jura, run the Paps,
sail to Arran, run Goat Fell, then sail to Troon. The Race takes 3 to 4 Days
and caters for Multihulls, Racers and Cruisers.
Each team consists of 5 (usually 2 runners and 3 sailors),
there is also an all-rounders class for sailors that can run and a class for
young people (with the assistance of a few adults).
Fyne Fest Festival
Over the past few years Fynefest's reputation as one of the most popular beer festival has been spreading far and wide. From small beginnings in the brewery courtyard to a big marquee in one field, camping in another the festival has just got bigger & better. Filled with quality craft beer, locally sourced food and excellent music in beautiful Argyll. All this to enjoy at your leisure over the full weekend based around the Fyne Ales Brewery at the head of Loch Fyne, next to Loch Fyne Oysters.
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FIND OUT MORE
Scottish Series
Start: Friday 22nd – Monday 25th May
Ever thought of taking part in Scotland’s biggest regatta?
It’s not all about the race boats with the black sails and
experienced race crews. Many people take part just for craic of it. The
event in Tarbert Loch Fyne is open to all and for some can just be a great
weekend away with you friends relaxing with passage sailing in between the
parties. Come and see what you are missing!
Round Mull Race
Start: Thursday 2nd - Sunday 5th July
We are proud to support this event as joint headline
sponsors with Owen Sails of Benderloch. The Round Mull Race has acquired a
loyal following over the last 25 years with many of the boats making up the
fleet of approximately 50 boats having made the annual pilgrimage round the
island of Mull many times. Every year the event stalwarts are joined by boats
and crews from all over the UK who have come to experience this unique event;
offering great sailing in some of the west coasts most picturesque waters
around the coast of Mull.
The event see the fleet enjoying the hospitality of Oban
Sailing Club on the Thursday evening with the opening buffet. Racing commences
on the Friday morning with start line being positioned off Oban Sailing club,
the fleet races from Oban to Tobermory on Mull via the Sound of Mull. Saturday
see the fleet start at the entrance to Tobermory Bay before heading westward to
the open waters of Mulls west coast before heading South for the finish line at
Bunessan. Spending the night at anchor the local community offer a buffet and
ceilidh on the Saturday evening in the village hall, a short walk along the
road from the pier. The final leg of the race on the Sunday takes the fleet
west again through the Sound of Iona before heading east along the south coast
of Mull and toward the finish at Frank Lockwoods Island.
Described previously as competitive cruising rather than
racing the event offers something for everyone with a white sail class and two
handed class.
(Tiree Music Festival - www.tireemusicfestival.co.uk)
Tiree Music Festival
Start: Friday
17th - Sunday 19th July
The set list of local, national and international music acts
is just one of the huge draws of TMF – come prepared for a true island
adventure. Think picture-perfect white sands. World-famous surf. Deserted roads
lined with lush greenery and wild flowers. Not forgetting more sunshine than
practically anywhere else in the UK. It’s little wonder that the tiny Hebridean
island of Tiree is nicknamed the ‘Hawaii of the North’.
Add to this three separate campsites – the main campsite,
family campsite and campervan area – and the now famous Community Village with
its many stalls and events, and TMF guarantees you an authentic
flavour of Tiree. Which, in a nutshell, is the whole idea behind the festival.
TMF has gained wide spread acclaim since its
inception in 2010 since when it has won Best Small Festival at the
Scottish Event Awards (2012 & 2013) and Best Cultural Event at both
the Highland & Island Tourism Awards (2013) and Scottish Thistle Awards
(2013). Evidence, if ever it was needed, that small can indeed be beautiful.
(West Highland Week - www.yachtingimages.co.uk)
West Highland Week
Start: Saturday 1st - Friday 7th August
The historic and unique sailing regatta is now in its 67th year. It has evolved into the West Coast's biggest sailing event taking in 3 venues, Craobh, Oban and Tobermory. 1000+ competitors from around the world enjoy national and local media coverage. The event has evolved a distinctive blend of competitive racing combined with a varied and full programme of family social events.
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FIND OUT MORE
Round Shuna Race & Feeder Races
Start: Saturday 22nd - Sunday 23rd August
Run by the Clyde Corithian Yacht Club the Shuna race weekend is a fun filled weekend after the Scottish Schools return from the summer break. The weekend starts with feeder races from Oban and Ardfern to Craobh where boats muster for the next days round Shuna race. Unusual in its format the race around Shuna is a pursuit race with a prolonged start sequence seeing the slowest boat setting off first and the fastest last; to add to the fun its entirely the skipper's (or perhaps willful crew) decision which way round the island is circumnavigated.
Keep an eye on the blog for further updates
(Pirates Parade, Ardfern, our chandlery manager Guy Neville with his daughter Kay)
Craignish Arts Festival
Dates to be confirmed (normally mid August)
Primarily a visual arts festival in the West Highland community of Craignish, Ardfern, the festival also encompasses a variety of live music nights at our local pub The Galley of Lorne Inn and The Lords of the Isles in Craobh Haven, storytelling sessions, markets, sporting competitions, guided walks and family events, in particular a range of arts workshops and the incredibly popular Pirate Parade.
Mull of Kintyre Music Festival
Start: Wednesday
19th - Sunday 23rd August
Enjoy the best in traditional and contemporary Celtic music
and this popular annual music festival held in the scenic area immortalised in
Paul McCartney’s 1977 hit song Mull of Kintyre.
Established in 1992 in the west coast town of Campbeltown,
the Mull of Kintyre Music Festival showcases the finest talent in Scottish and
Irish traditional music with a fantastic programme of concerts, ceilidhs, jam
sessions, workshops, free outdoor events. This is accompanied by other exciting
events which range from children’s entertainment to heritage and cultural tours
and parades. Watch excellent local ceilidh bands, Gaelic choirs, pipe bands,
brass bands Highland dancers perform alongside acclaimed international acts
which in recent years have included Altan, Davy Spillane, Four men and a Dog,
the Tannahill Weavers, Jerry Holland and Dave McIsaac, Dougie McLean, the
Micahel McGoldrick Band, the Full Moon Ensemble, Arty McGlynn and Nollaig
Cassidy. This family-friendly event is held every August across a range of
venues and is a must for all lovers of traditional and contemporary Celtic
music.
(Best of the West Festival, Inveraray)
Best of the West Festival
Dates to be confirmed
Set in the stunning venue of the ground of Inveraray Castle, this family friendly festival highlights the best in food, drink, crafts, music and entertainments from the West of Scotland. From fine crafts to fine food and from local pipe bands to world famous headline music acts, the programme offers something for everyone, including a range of children's activities, horse riding, archery and survival skills to tire the kids out.
(Craighouse, Isle of Jura - www.jurainfo.com)
Jura Music Festival 2015
Start: Friday 25th - Sunday 27th September
The Jura Music Festival, now in its 22nd year, is a firm
favourite on the festival calendar. It's a fantastic weekend of traditional
Scottish Music in a beautiful, remote island setting.
As well as a great line-up of musicians, there are also workshops and sessions
to encourage up-and-coming talent. From the Friday night ceilidh right through
to the Sunday night concert in the distillery co-operage, this is a
foot-stomping weekend for music lovers, easily reachable under sail from Ardfern.
These are only a highlight of the many events happening
around Scotland's west coast during 2015. If your looking for more information
on events to be enjoyed afloat the CYCA 2015 Event Calander is an vital resource, even if
its only to avoid being in the same anchorage as a race fleet! Locally the Ardfern community is very active and during the year there are many events going on within the Craignish area open to all, the Craignish Village Hall website has details of events going on within the hall.
We look forward to seeing you all in 2015!
We look forward to seeing you all in 2015!
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