The Best of the West Festival is a two-day celebration of the best local food, drink and music from the West of Scotland.
Held in the picturesque grounds of Inveraray Castle on Saturday, September 10 and Sunday 11.
Visitors can expect live music from likes of Skipinnish, Manran, The League of Highland Gentleman and many more.
Top chefs from award-winning restaurants will be serving up mouth-watering master classes to celebrate Scotland’s vibrant larder.
Free family activities will keep the kids entertained for the perfect day out at this boutique family festival.
Music
This family weekend includes two days of music and song with performances in both English and Gaelic. The festival has a strong focus on young local talent as well as the best of the established performers, this year’s acts include:
MANRAN
The award-winning Manran have quite literally rocketed to the top of the Scottish music scene with their powerful combination of Gaelic/English songs underpinned by driving accordion, fiddle, flute and a backline of drum and bass to make any mouth water.
SKIPINNISH
They built a solid reputation as a musical powerhouse over several years with their exhilarating live performances that set audience’s feet stomping in venue after venue. Skipinnish, enjoyed a number 1 single "Walking on the Waves" in the World Music Download Chart outselling One Direction and Ellie Goulding that week. This festival favourite was voted Live Act of the Year at the 2014 Scots Trad Music Awards.
THE LEAGUE OF HIGHLAND GENTLEMEN
Winners of the Up and Coming Artist of the Year at Trad Music Awards The League of Highland Gentlemen, this four piece have an infectious blend of true Highland gentlemanliness whilst continuing to experiment with “ceòl-dealain” (lightning music) bedecked in tweed, regardless of temperature.
CELEBRATION OF FOOD and DRINK
Argyll's larder will be in the spotlight once again at #BOWFest2016 to celebrate the best of Argyll's Food and Drink and quality Scottish produce takes centre-stage.
Whether you're looking for something to enjoy at the festival or to take home there is plenty of delicious food and drink to choose from the award-winning Food from Argyll group and invited friends including: Loch Fyne Oyster, Winston Churchill Venison, Real Mackay Stovies, Inverawe Smokehouse, Bumble Puddings, Castle Tearoom, Visit Arran, Home Ground Coffee, JR Fine Foods, The George Hotel and West Beer.
BOWFEST FESTIVAL KITCHEN
Visitors will have the chance to watch top chefs from local award-winning restaurants showing off their skills and making some wonderful dishes live on the festival kitchen stage.
Some of the local celebrity chefs include:
Graeme Cheevers - Martin Wishart Loch Lomond
Andrew Maclugash - Samphire
Jamie Nicholson - Loch Fyne Oysters
Sujitra Scott - Thai Chef
Best of the West is part of the Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight a celebration of the best that Scotland's vibrant larder has to offer.
WHISKY
The ideal way to discover your favourite west coast malt is in Loch Fyne Whisky Shop marquee and includes the amazing unplugged BOWFest Whisky Stage with acoustic sets throughout the weekend.
ARTS, CRAFTS and ACTIVITIES
The Business Gateway marquee is a showcase of the very best artists and makers on the West Coast exhibiting quality art, craft and design. The activity area includes the children’s marquee which will host art workshops, face painting and outdoor activities featuring archery, climbing walls, bungee trampolines, bouncy castle, bucking bronco and tea cups.
Buses to the festival will be running from Glasgow, Clydebank, Dumbarton, Arrochar, Dunoon and Oban.
Tickets are on sale now viahttp://www.bowfest.co.uk.
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