Argyll walking festival on the comeback trails
The Cowalfest walking festival’s schedule of walks has been ‘tweaked’ due to health issues with walk leaders resulting in a total of six of the 28 guided walks being taken off the programme.
The five-day Argyll event, which runs from October 12th to the 16th, started in 2003 and makes a welcome return after a three-year gap due to the Covid pandemic. Cowalfest is widely recognised as one of Scotland’s biggest walking festivals.
Cowalfest chair Agnes Harvey explained: “We still have 22 core guided walks taking place across Cowal along with 10 special interest walks and a series of events targeted at families and Young Scot participants.
“There’s been a steady stream of bookings with some of the events now fully booked up with upto 30 participants but health issues with a few of the walking guides has led us to reluctantly withdraw some of the events.
“We’ve had a fantastic response from volunteers looking to get involved with recent briefing sessions attracting up to 16 attendees so we are all set up to deliver another fantastic festival.
“We are also seeing strong interest in our ceilidh event being held at Innellan Village Hall on Saturday 14th October. Tickets, priced £10, are still available online and through Purdies and the Lido shop within the village.
“The weather in recent months has not been kind and we are well aware that the majority of bookings will take place in the final week as local people and visitors to Cowal check the forecasts however we are keeping our fingers crossed for clear skies!
“Cowalfest represents a great way for people to engage with nature as well as learn about the rich heritage, wildlife and geology of this very special part of Argyll and we hope as many as possible will get involved with a walk or two!” added Agnes.
For more details about all of the walks, talks and focused events that make up this year’s Cowalfest and to book places please visit www.wildaboutargyll.co.uk/cowalfest.
