Water date for your diary - Kirkintilloch Canal Festival is back for 2019!
This year's festival takes place between Monday 26 August and Sunday 1 September, with another swashbuckling mix of aquatic activities and land-based family fun.
Entertainment is still being finalised, but there's another packed week in the offing, culminating in Saturday's evening concert and fireworks display, and Sunday’s glorious gala.
This year's festival will blend the best of Scottish and Japanese cultures - look out for more details soon.
The 2019 programme will also provide a platform for community groups, hostelries and local shops to get involved.
If you are interested in participating - either as a stage performer, service provider or community event organiser - please get in touch via the website - www.kirkintillochcanalfestival.org
The canal festival – organised by East Dunbartonshire Council in partnership with a range of organisations, including the Leisure and Culture Trust – attracts thousands of visitors every year, boosting the economy and the area’s status as a visitor destination.
Councillor Billy Hendry, Convener of Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets, said, "I am delighted to confirm the dates of this year's Kirkintilloch Canal Festival - offering the people of East Dunbartonshire and beyond a brilliant mix of entertainment, education and activities.
"It’s a highlight in the calendar – not just for Kirkintilloch, but for the whole of East Dunbartonshire – giving residents and visitors the chance to get active and have fun.
"It’s also a great boost for the local economy. An assessment of the 2017 festival – carried out by Caledonian Economics – estimated that a total of £283,712 was spent locally by attendees."
Cllr Hendry added, "With Scottish Canals currently carrying out refurbishment works on the 'lift bridge' over the canal at Twechar, it means that the Forth and Clyde will be fully open to aquatic traffic again - months ahead of the festival.
"That is great news for people visiting East Dunbartonshire and local businesses - reopening a water-based route between The Falkirk Wheel and Kirkintilloch - the Canal Capital of Scotland."
* Scottish Canals is currently repairing bridges at Twechar and Bonnybridge, with work due to be completed by the spring.
It is also organising the Lowland Canal Carnival - 24-26 May - which will see a flotilla of steam boats, yachts, narrowboats, rowing boats, canoes and kayaks travel on the canal - including Kirkintilloch and Auchinstarry Marina.
The bridges were closed to boat traffic in early 2018 when routine inspections raised concerns over the safety of their mechanisms.
* Cllr Hendry is pictured with Evonne Bauer, Executive Officer - Place and Community Planning
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