Lochranza gala day is back after 20 year wait
After more than 20 years, Lochranza gala weekend has been revived by a new generation with a distinctly watery theme.
Three local residents first got together months ago with a plan to bring back the gala day and now things are coming together. A packed weekend of events will see the return of Sea Queen at the head of a jellyfish umbrella parade and a Bogie McBoatrace.
Long time
The women behind the revival are Holly Murdoch, Lorna Logan and Jess Kerr-Fearon. Lorna said: ‘We all felt it was time the village had its own gala day again. It has been a long time without one.’
Anyone wishing to take part in the bogie race are urged to start getting creative as there is only a few weeks to the event on the castle spit on Saturday July 22.
Events will start on Thursday July 20 with Ceilidh Trail performing in Lochranza Hall at 7.30pm.
The following night there will be a Kilbride vs Kilmory quiz night with Brian Millar asking the questions.
Saturday will see the main gala events starting with a parade from Catacol and a procession from Lochranza pier at 2.30pm led by the Sea King and Queen and the pipe band to Lochranza village hall followed by the jellyfish umbrella parade. The Sea Queen will then officially open the gala.
Duck derby
There will be stalls on the hall green, children’s games, a dog show, live music, barbecue and bar. The Bogie McBoatrace starts at 3.30pm and the day will round off with a duck derby from the Golf Course Bridge to the doctor’s surgery at 5.30pm.
At night there will be a chance to dance away to the sounds of the excellent Falkirk band Soundcradle in the hall which will have a licenced bar.
And the fun doesn’t stop there as Sunday will see a Texas Scramble at Lochranza Golf Course at 10am along with a children’s putting competition at 11am.
Later there will be a sausage sizzle and other children’s events from 2pm at the hall followed by the prizegiving with the Sea Queen handing out the prizes.
‘It should be a good fun weekend with something for everyone and we hope the public will come out and support us,’ Lorna added.