Bowfest – music, food and lots of festival fun
Organisers and attendees of the Best of the West Festival 2018 have confirmed that this year’s event was the biggest and best yet with an attendance over the weekend of 5,250.
People of all ages came to enjoy the three-day celebration of the best in music, food, drink, arts and crafts – and family fun.
The weather gods were merciful for the Friday September 7 opening, featuring big crowds and a cracking atmosphere in anticipation of a great weekend of entertainment.
Eleanor, The Duchess of Argyll and founder of Best of the West Festival said: ‘This year’s festival has been a great success with everyone enjoying a fantastic weekend.
‘It was wonderful to see people of all ages having so much fun. We are already looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Inveraray Castle for Best of the West 2019.’
For the youngsters this year there was face painting – also surprisingly popular among mildly lubricated adults – as well as the ever-popular climbing wall, dancing teacups and much more.
Top-notch fare in the Food from Argyll tent proved as big a draw as it does every year, while local artists showcased a myriad of crafts and artwork in their own popular marquee.
Top chefs from award-winning restaurants showed off their skills in the Festival Kitchen, including Calum Hall, head chef at Loch Fyne Oysters, Samphire chef and owner Andrew MacLugash and Masterchef Professionals 2016 winner Gary MacLean.
Music and the amber nectar poured from the whisky tent in a mellow blend of conviviality. Mid Argyll’s Bar None Community Choir were excellent, as were duo Holly Renton from Inveraray and Lochgilphead’s Tiegan Holroyd bringing their soft, melodic tones to the festival once again.
The big hitters were on the main stage. Former Runrig frontman Donnie Munro delighted audience members of a certain age with songs old and new on Saturday evening. At the opposite end of the experience spectrum, Cowal outfit Heron Valley showed why they are currently home in between US tours.
The energetic Celtic sound of American band Seven Nations had the Friday night joint jumping ahead of Tide Lines, lead singer Robert Robertson all blue eyes and boundless energy.
Arguably the Saturday show was stolen by the colour, noise and drama of the Bhangra Beatles – with Fab Four favourites handed an Indian twist of spice.
Argyll acts held their own and more among illustrious company. The Camans, Rhuvaal, Dr Hip and the Blues Operation and Ri Cheile put on cracking performances.
The whole thing was rounded off with a bang by trad supergroup Skipinnish. The main marquee, packed with folk of all ages, was bouncing.
Warmed by Skipinnish classics including Walking on the Waves and Alive, the audience was given a ‘heads up’ of next year’s BoW fest dates: September 13 to 15, 2019 – mark it in your diary.