HUNDREDS of people from across the west coast and beyond attended a three-day celebration of the outdoors, health, and wellbeing in Skelmorlie. 

More than 500 people headed along to Skelmorlie Nature Festival which ran from August 29 to 31. 

The event showcased the positive impact of the outdoors on mental and physical health, and gave people of all ages the chance to try out a wide range of activities. 

The team at Skelmorlie Environment Trust organised the celebration which saw 50 activity providers running drop-in and sessions across three days. 

(Image: Freelancer)
(Image: Freelancer)
Around two thirds of those who attended were from Skelmorlie but one third were from places as far afield as Falkirk and Linlithgow. 

Trust member Naomi Spirit-Hawthorne said the event was 'brilliant' and has been delighted by the responses received from everyone who attended.  

She added: "It couldn't have been any better and was all really positive. 

"Not a lot going on in the village so people were really happy to join in. 

"People were so happy with it and it was really well-received by everyone.

"It really helped us put Skelmorlie on the map."

Naomi said everyone who attended got the chance to take part in the activities they wanted to try out. 

(Image: Freelancer)
(Image: Freelancer)
The festival took over Skelmorlie Primary on Friday and pupils got the chance to get involved in activities like forest craft, and animal tracking. 

Teams from the Scottish Wildlife Trust and Blooming Inverkip helped the youngsters clear raised beds and filled them with soil in preparation for planting winter veg. 

Other activities included a mobile climbing tower and a painting workshop. 

(Image: Freelancer)
(Image: Freelancer)
On the Friday evening, a bat walk attracted around 80 people, and other highlights included terrarium making with Thru Decades, and a sound bath with Gong Girl. 

Organisers made sure local organisations like the fishery, and bowling, tennis, and golf clubs were involved, and people got the chance to try different out sports. 

Attendees enjoyed reiki sessions, flower crown workshops, hammock-making, and tree climbing with Treetop Rocks. 

The climax of the festival was a firewalk on the Saturday night which saw around 30 people hot foot it over the coals. 

(Image: Freelancer)
(Image: Freelancer)
On Sunday, a group of 23 volunteers helped clear a pathway in a forested area of the village which had been taken over by invasive species, and created a new eight-minute walk in the area.  

Naomi said a big part of the festival was giving people the chance to sample activities that they wouldn't normally get to try. 

(Image: Freelancer)
(Image: Freelancer)
As the event was such a success, there have already been discussions about running it again next year. 

She added: "Everything was free so people got the chance to try things out and they might even go on and pursue them again in the future. 

"It was just perfect. 

"It was a bit emotional reading all of the feedback from people as people were genuinely touched by it. 

"Watch this space for next year."