Homecoming Scotland 2009: Local Events in Argyll and Bute

For latest info check out www.argyll-bute.gov.uk

Lochgoilhead Burns Supper

An event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Lochgoilhead Burns Club, co-inciding with  Burns 250th anniversary

Venue: Lochgoilhead Village Hall
Date: 19.00hrs 7 February 2009
Booking: 01301 703460

Homecoming Kilmichael and Kilmartin

A programme of events designed to raise awareness of a milestone event in Scottish history - the introduction of Christianity.

With an exhibition about the early church and its religious objects, the centrepiece will be the Torbhlaren Bell shrine, which has never been displayed locally before.

The project will contain a "grave yards" element working with volunteers to record and conserve ancient stones in Kilmartin and Kilmichael graveyards.

The nationally important monument, the Kilmichael Cross, will be returned to its original church.

Venues: Kilmartin House Museum, Kilmartin Church, Kilmichael Glassary Church
Date: Throughout 2009
Website: www.kilmartin.org

Isle of Bute Homecoming

The Sons and Daughters of Bute will be hosting a series of events throughout the spring and summer, with music, walks, talks and displays about the island, its history and its people.
With a Homecoming golf tournament and the Mylne Classic Yachts  in July, there is something for everyone.

Venues: Various  including Rothesay Castle, The Pavilion and Isle of Bute Sailing Club
Dates: Spring/summer 2009
Tickets: £10-£12 for music events TEL: 01700 200619
Website: www.homecoming-bute.org.uk

Colintraive Heritage Exhibition

Step back in time and discover the story of Colintraive and the surrounding area over the last 150 years.

This fascinating exhibition full of letters, maps, photographs and drawings illustrates a way of life typical of the west coast of Scotland.

Find out more about crofting and farming, forestry and fishing and the passenger steamers and smoke belching puffers that served these small isolated communities.
Connect with your ancestors. Come home to Colintraive.

Venue: Old workshop and stable, Colintraive
Dates: Spring to autumn 2009
Booking: only required for larger groups

Tobermory Miniatures

A chance to catch major headline acts play exclusive intimate gigs in one of the smallest venues in Scotland. Artists already lined up include Dougie Maclean, Karen Matheson and Donald Shaw and Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham.

Venue: An Tobar, Tobermory, Isle of Mull
Dates: June and September 2009, 20.30 hrs
Tickets: Tel: 01688 302211
Website: www.antobar.co.uk

Westering Home

A celebration of the isle of Islay's rich and unique culture and heritage through music, song, storytelling, language, history, ancestry and whisky distilling, culminating in two weekends of activity in August and September.

There will be a strong emphasis on Gaelic and west coast culture and whisky with a whisky experience at Bruichladdich Distillery taking in special courses, talks, tours and tasting.

Venue:Port Mor Centre, Port Charlotte, Isle of Islay
Date: August and September
Tickets and Booking: in person: Port Mor Centre or by telephone: 01496 850 441
Website: www.islandofislay.co.uk

Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival

One of Scotland's major annual arts festivals, events over the weekend will offer visitors the opportunity to sample the traditional arts of music and dance of the Highlands and Islands.

The festival has over 1100 participants, 125 competition classes in 12 disciplines, including piping, accordion, fiddle, clarsach, piano, recorder, woodwind and brass, singing, scottish country dancing, highland dancing and choreography and some special events to ensure that there is something for everyone.

Venues: Various around Oban
Date: 30 April - 3 May 2009
Tickets: on sale from 30 March
Booking: Tel: 07510 841198 or in person from the festival office, Corran Halls, Oban
Website: www.obanfestival.org

Isle of Bute Jazz Festival

The 2009 Isle of Bute Jazz Festival will be offering top class traditional jazz with a varied programme including rhythm and blues, folk and modern/funk/mainstream jazz.

The Festival programme will appeal not only to traditional jazz fans but to a younger age group.
Those Bute born or former residents are encourage to "Come Home to Bute" for the weekend, where there will be camping facilities for both vans/camper vans and tents.

Venues: various
Date: 30 April - 4 May
Enquiries: 01700 500 635
Website: www.butejazz.com

Mull of Kintyre Pipe Band Championship

The 3rd Mull of Kintyre Pipe Band championship is the third to take place in Campbeltown and growing each year. This is the ideal place to hear quality pipe bands from all over Scotland and beyond competing against the backdrop of Davaar Island and Campbeltown Loch.

For the first time there will be a Drum major competition and the organisers are expecting a great turnout.

Venue: Kinloch Green, Campbeltown
Date: Saturday 2 May from 12 noon
Tickets £3 and £1 available on the day

Inveraray Bluebell Festival

A month-long celebration of Inveraray and district's natural and
cultural heritage. Walk and ride by one of the finest collections of wild bluebells anywhere in Scotland. During the month of May, we will explore the area's heritage through

• Bluebell-themed storytelling
• Bluebell walks and horse rides
• Expert talks on plant-life and bluebell conservation
• Bluebell high teas
• Food & Drink Festival
• Bluebell Golf Tournament
• Crarae Murder Mystery and a theatre play in Inveraray Jail

Venues: Auchindrain Museum, Crarae Gardens, Inveraray Castle, Bell Tower, Inveraray Jail and Maritime Museum and the local bars and taverns in the evening.
Date: May
Website: www.inveraray-argyll.com

Holy Loch Homecoming Celebration

A Homecoming event with something for everyone.
Centring round an Evening of Memories with Lord George Robertson, Rt Hon Brian Wilson and locals Robert McSeveny and Gordon Trapp recalling the days of the American naval presence in the Holy Loch.

The weekend takes in a host of activities throughout the area,, ranging from a visit to the 5,000 year old Ardnadam site with demonstrations of Stone Age and Iron Age Life to Songs of Praise in Sandbank Church. Includes a Scottish Concert and a Jazz Night, a Film Night and an Evening Soiree

Dates: Thursday 7 May to Sunday 10 May
Venues: Various throughout Hunter's Quay
Website: http://bigonsandbank.com/blog/category/homecoming/

Helensburgh and Lomond Homecoming Ball

The Homecoming Ball will be a spectacular event to welcome friends, families and visitors to Helensburgh's magnificent Victoria Hall. Beginning the evening with a champagne reception, there will be a formal dinner in the main hall, followed by coffee and liqueurs in the Pillar Hall before dancing into the early hours of Sunday morning.

Venue: Victoria Hall, Helensburgh
Date: Saturday, 30 May, 19.00 for 19.30
Tickets: on sale from end of January
Tel: 01436 831434
Website: www.victoriahall.org.uk

In the Footsteps of Columba - Slighe Chalium Chille Ceilidh Trail

The Ceilidh trail follows the footsteps of Columba from his base in Ireland and traces his travels through Argyll to his destination in Iona

Along the way there will be a series of performances which will include eight young Argyll and Irish musicians playing a mix of Irish and Irish/Gaelic songs; a photographic presentation to link in with the music and short storytelling sessions by two eminent Gaelic storytellers - one from Argyll and one from Ireland.

The event will highlight the strong cultural relationship between Argyll and Ireland.

Venues: Islay, Gigha, Campbeltown, Tarbert, Strachur, Kilmartin, Mull and Iona
Date: Summer 2009

Tarbert Seafood Festival

Some of the best seafood in the UK! Tarbert Seafood Festival is a celebration of seafood and family entertainment featuring live cooking by celebrity chef Nick Nairn, seafood stalls, exhibitions, music and entertainment.

This unique community event has over 25 years celebrated and promoted the great seafood produced and landed here in Tarbert.

Venue: Outdoor around Tarbert Harbour, Loch Fyne, Argyll
Date: Saturday 4 July, Sunday 5 July
Time: From 11:00 Saturday 4 July
Price: Free all weekend
Website: www.seafoodfestival.co.uk
Contact: Tarbert Festivals Committee (info@seafoodfestival.co.uk)

Island Nights

Tales of adventure and suspense, tales of  foreign lands, tales of those new to this land, tales of those who left and those who came back...with drama, readings, poetry and song from and about the Argyll, west Highlands and Islands area, an area with an unparalleled history and wealth of literature.

There will be laughter, there will be drama, there will be live music and dancing - and it'll finish off with a bit of a ceilidh dance!
For all ages.

Venue: various
Date: 18 July - 26 September
Booking: Tel: 01688 302828
E:mail: bookings@mulltheatre.com

Cantilena Festival on Islay

2009 is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Mendelssohn who made visits to Staffa and Tobermory where he was inspired to write compositions relating to Scotland.
Mendelssohn will feature frequently in the Cantilena programme.

The Festival will also include a Scottish Fiddle Concept presented by two of its principal violinists and give a second performance of three "Islay Sketches" which it premiered during a previous Cantilena Festival.

Venues: various including distilleries
Date: 5-10 July inclusive
Tickets on sale from 1 June, Celtic house, Bowmore
Price : £11/£7 concessions, £66 the season

Rosneath Peninsula Highland Gathering 30th Anniversary Celebrations

A full day of family entertainment with something to interest all age groups.
With piping and highland dancing competitions in the morning, the Grand Parade is at 12 noon with a colourful prelude to the "heavy events".

This year's highlight is the Homecoming Scotland 2009 "Scotland v rest of the World - a challenge not to be missed!

Venue: Howie Park, Rosneath near Helensburgh
Date: Sunday 19 July for 9.30
Tickets: Available on the day
Prices: Adult £4, Senior Citizens and children under 16 £1.50, Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) £8
Website: www.rosneathgames.co.uk

Argyll and Bute Food Fair and Twinning Association Week

Friends from Helensburgh's twin town of Thouars will be arriving on Sunday 26 July and throughout the week there will be a series of events culminating in the Food Festival on Friday 31 July in Helensburgh's town centre.

The Food festival will bring together the best of Argyll and Bute food and drink and will feature a whisky tasting session.     

Venues: Various around Helensburgh and Food Fair in the town centre
Date: 26 to 31 July, Food Fair 31 July, 10.00 - 16.00
Tickets: Free
Website: www.victoriahall.org.uk
                                                                                                            

Mull of Kintyre Music and Arts Festival 2009 "Cradle of the Nation"

The Mull of Kintyre Music and Arts Festival is an annual event which brings top class acts to one of the most isolated and beautiful parts of the UK.

The Festival celebrates the area's unique cultural identity and dedicates the "Dalriada Connections Concert" to our place in Scottish history. Previous winner of Event of the Year in the Scottish Music Awards, the Festival has become a magnet for visitors and music lovers alike.

Venue: Throughout Campbeltown
Date: August 2009
Tickets: Will be on sale through Ticketweb.com
Event website: www.mokfest.com  

Artmap Argyll Open Studios

An opportunity to see artists at work and experience first hand the rich diversity of the visual arts scene in Argyll.

See and purchase work directly from people working in glass, wood, sculpture, weaving origianl prints and all styles of painting.

Follow an Artmap to find some of the hidden gems of Argyll.

Venues: Various artists studios within Mid-Argyll, Cowal, Lorne, Luing, Mull and Gigha
Date: 7-10 August 2009, 10.00-17.00 daily
Tickets: Free, no booking required
Website:  www.artmapargyll.com 

Homecoming Lismore 2009

A week long celebration for visitors and islanders, including a formal reception, outdoor theatre, launch of publications and new museum displays, arts and crafts, walks to a cleared township, emigration talks and a ceilidh dance

Venue: Ionad Naomh Moluag (Lismore Heritage Centre)
Date: 8-15 August
Tickets : Available from 1 August
Price for week : £12 and £20, under 16s free. Ceildh dance £5.
Booking: 01631 760 030
Website: www.isleoflismore.com 

Burns an' a' That

Burns an' a' That is the theme of the summer dinner of the Inveraray Burns Club. This year we have booked the  Perthshire based folk group "On the Wagon".
Following a traditional four course dinner the gorup will perform recitals and songs from their albums.

Venue: Argyll Hotel, Inveraray, PA32 8XB
Date: Friday 14 August
Time: 19.00 for dinner at 19:30
Tickets: £15 inclusive of 4 course
Booking: 01499 302466 or in person at the Argyll Hotel

Website: www.inveraray burnsclub.org.uk


Islay 2009 Black Bottle Jazz FestivalVenues: Various on the Isle of Islay
Date: 11-13 September
Contact: 01313 467 5200
Website: www.islayjazzfestival.co.uk

Tarbert Music Festival

An annual three day event showcasing Scottish contemporary bands and celebrating a range of Scottish contemporary and traditional music.
An amazing and friendly atmosphere.

Venues: various around Tarbert Harbour
Date: from 21.00 Friday 25 September to Sunday 27 September
Website: www.tarbertmusicfestival.com

An annual three day event showcasing Scottish contemporary bands and celebrating a range of Scottish contemporary and traditional music.An amazing and friendly atmosphere.Venues: various around Tarbert HarbourDate: from 21.00 Friday 25 September to Sunday 27 SeptemberWebsite:

Cowal Open Studios Event

Venues: Various on the Isle of IslayDate: 11-13 SeptemberContact: 01313 467 5200Website: An annual three day event showcasing Scottish contemporary bands and celebrating a range of Scottish contemporary and traditional music.An amazing and friendly atmosphere.Venues: various around Tarbert HarbourDate: from 21.00 Friday 25 September to Sunday 27 SeptemberWebsite: This is a unique opportunity to be welcomed into artists studios to see a rich diversity of art and craft and to experience first hand the processes that go into making the finished work.

Visitors will be able to see a wide range of traditional and contemporary artwork in a rich diversity of materials and techniques such as drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, environmental art, textiles, ceramics, glasswork and silversmithing. There will also be the opportunity to purchase originan pieces of art directly from the artists.

In addition there will be an educational programme of workshops, courses and exhibitions throughout the year.
Venues: Various
Date: 25-28 September
Website: www.cowalopenstudios.co.uk 

A Highland Welcome

A contemporary drama written and directed by Inveraray Club Cronie Alison Duncan and performed by Inveraray Burns Club Players, the play recreates the visit of Robert Burns to Inveraray. Tradition has it that he visited the Argyll Hotel where he scratched his thoughts on a glass window pane.

The recreation will be enacted hrough narration, song music and drama and will be followed by a light two course supper and an informal musical session.

Venue: Argyll Hotel, Inveraray PA32 8XB
Date: Saturday 26 September
Time: 19.30
Tickets: £10, available now
Booking: Argyll Hotel, Inveraray  01499 302466
Website: www.inverarayburnsclub.org.uk

St Andrew's Night Dinner

A four course dinner is followed by a light hearted tribute to St Andrew and scotland rounded off with music, recital and song from Scotland's finest literary works.
With entertainment by the talented Cronies and Homecoming year drawing to an end, demand for tickets will be high.
All visitors are assured of a warm Highland welcome.

Venue: Argyll Hotel, Inveraray, PA32 8XB
Date: Saturday 28 November
Time: 19:00 for dinner at 19:30
Tickets £15 including dinner
Bookings: 01499 302716 or in person at the Argyll Hotel
Website: www.inverarayburnsclub.org.uk Back to Argyll & Bute Home Page