Colour, fun and food at Tarbert Seafood Festival

TARBERT is the place to be for festival fun these days. The Loch Fyne village has, however long been better known for fishing. The two are about to be brought together in stunning style as the Tarbert Seafood Festival is held over the weekend of July 1-2, the latest event in a packed festival calendar around the village. The feast of music, food and fun at the seafood festival gives visitors the opportunity to sample Tarbert’s culinary delights. For many years the seafood festival has been offering visitors the opportunity to sample the culinary delights to be created from local produce direct from the crystal clear waters of Loch Fyne. The harbour will be lined with a variety of stalls operated by local businesses and hotels, showcasing the many local delicacies on offer. Cookery demonstrations using the local seafood on offer will be held in the fisherman’s market throughout the day. And the festival is pleased to welcome back chef Mike Leslie from the Coachman Hotel in Kilsyth on festival Saturday. But this is not just a celebration of our local produce. There is plenty of entertainment over the weekend for both locals and visitors alike. One of the highlights will be the crowning of the Tarbert Seafood Festival Queen Jacquelyn Clark as she is accompanied by her princesses, Beth Johnstone and Robyn MacFie. This will be followed by a festival procession through the village led by Mid Argyll Pipe Band, with this year’s parade theme being ‘nursery rhymes’. The festival this year welcomes back the Clan Stunt Team, and look out for fun and nonsense with the Absurdist Pipe Band. And there will be Highland dancers all the way from Campbeltown to offer some delightful entertainment. Providing some cracking music, Ceilidh’s Homet will be performing on the Saturday, with popular local band The Democrats back again for Sunday. A girl-band special from Mania, also on festival Sunday, is sure to have people dancing at this tasty two-day family festival by Loch Fyne. One of the main festival organisers is Margaret MacNeill, who said: ‘We are looking forward to a great weekend of festival food and entertainment. ‘We’re delighted to welcome some new attractions along with a few familiar faces including renowned chef Mike Leslie, the Clan Stunt Riders with their stunt bikes and the colourful Absurdist Pipe Band. There is so much to enjoy, so we hope people will come along in their droves and experience Tarbert Seafood Festival.’