A WALKING festival in Argyll is extending a warm welcome to ramblers from Inverclyde as it gears up for a reboot next month.

Cowalfest will make its return from September 12-16 following four years of cancellations caused by the pandemic and weather conditions.

The five-day festival includes 24 guided and special interest walks, featuring the iconic Cobbler near Arrochar, an exploration of the area around Kilfinan Castle under the guidance of an expert from the Clan MacEwan, and an ascent up Cowal’s highest peak, Beinn Mhor.

Participants can also enjoy a range of walks across the peninsula focused on nature, geology, local history, art and foraging, all of which will be supported by experts in their field.

The Dunoon Bothy Project will offer a free health walk and guided cycle on the first two days of the festival, with Castle House Museum also hosting two free events covering ‘Dunoon of 200 years ago’ and Suffragette history.

(Image: Cowalfest)

Cowalfest chair Andy Armstrong said: “We always get lots of walkers taking part from ‘across the watter’ and it would be fantastic to welcome our rambling comrades from Greenock, Gourock, Largs and beyond to support the event as we seek to re-establish Cowalfest in the calendar.

“We already have folk from across Scotland and the UK heading up to Cowal for the opportunity to learn about the diverse nature of our wonderful part of the world.

“The support of Wild About Argyll, Western Ferries, the National Lottery Community Fund and key partners such as the Dunoon Bothy Project and Castle House Museum has gone a long way to helping us get Cowalfest back on the map.”

Full details of the festival and booking information can be found at wildaboutargyll.co.uk.

Walkers are encouraged to secure their places as soon as they can.