Countdown to Cowal
Once again Scotland’s premier family-friendly Highland Gathering will feature its traditional send-off.
Western Ferries confirmed that as part of its longstanding and wide-reaching local sponsorship programme, it is once again supporting the Cowal Highland Gathering’s closing fireworks display, which has become a firm favourite with gathering-goers of all ages.
The gathering’s chairman, Ronnie Cairns, thanked Western Ferries for its continued support of Argyll’s ‘only international event’ saying: ‘To once again have Western Ferries as one of our main sponsors is great news for us.
‘Their support goes well beyond sponsoring the closing fireworks display. During the event they lay on extra sailings between Hunter’s Quay and McInroy’s Point, allowing competitors, spectators, exhibitors and entertainers to get to and from the gathering with minimal delay.
‘Today’s confirmation of this continuing support is the perfect way to kick off the countdown to this year’s event.’
Western Ferries managing director Gordon Ross said: ‘This is one of our favourite weekends in the calendar, celebrating Highland culture as well as showcasing Dunoon and Cowal as a year-round tourist destination.
‘The Western Ferries’ fireworks finale is a fitting end to three days of world-class competition which is enjoyed by locals, visitors and competitors.’
Among the attractions already booked for this year is a stellar line-up of traditional bands for the ever-popular Friday night Gig at the Gathering (GATG) and for the Ceilidh Tent the following day.
The 2018 GATG will be headlined by Cowal favourites Trail West, with Beinn Lee and The American Rogues in support. The Ceilidh Tent will boast The American Rogues, Beinn Lee, Heron Valley and Tide Lines, the last two of which are back by popular demand having wowed last year’s Gig at the Gathering. Heron Valley also provide the soundtrack to the main video with their single Home.
The music is just one of the gathering’s many attractions. Possibly the biggest – and the one with the most competitors – is, of course, the Highland dancing. Last year a record number of dancers travelled to the gathering, which hosts both the Scottish and World Highland Dancing Championships and is the most popular and spectacular
Highland dancing competition on the planet.
Cowal Highland Games will welcome competitors from all corners of the globe, with dancers from Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa all flocking to Dunoon with the aim of wresting the silverware from the local competitors.
The dancing is not the only international competition at the gathering. It also hosts the only international heavy athletics contest in Scotland, which usually attracts athletes from Iceland, Germany and other European countries.
The piping, too, promises to be a major attraction as always, with bands and solo pipers battling it out to be crowned Cowal champions.
This year’s Cowal Highland Gathering runs from August 23-25. For more information contact info@cowalgathering.com or visit www.cowalgathering.com