Lottery funding boost for walking festival – Scottish Business News

ORGANISERS of Cowalfest have unveiled this year’s programme for their annual walking festival, scheduled for September 12^th to 16^th.

Cowalfest 2024 is five-day event that contains a new health and wellbeing format with guided and special interest walks.

The organisation has also recently benefited from financial support including a generous grant awarded by the National Lottery Community Fund.

The programme includes guided walks up the Cobbler, near Arrochar, Beinn Mhor beside Loch Eck and the ever popular five-mile trek from Carrick Castle to Ardentinny. Guided historical and geological walks around Dunoon, Innellan and Kilmun also form part of the schedule as well as a hike around Kilfinan Castle near Tighnabruaich.

The Dunoon Bothy Project is running two health-focused walking and cycling events with Castle House Museum hosting a Suffragette history walk and talk. There’s also a family focused event on Saturday 12th September (11am to 3pm) as part of a Forest School Open Day in Innellan.

“There’s a walk for everybody whatever their interest and regardless of their fitness,” explained Cowalfest chair Andy Armstrong “and it’s a great chance to get out and about, make new friends and learn all about the vibrant natural and historical heritage of our spectacular peninsula.

“The vast majority of the walks are now online thanks to Wild About Argyll with a booking function due to be added very soon. Initially local people and visitors to the area can take a look at the range of walks on offer with accompanied children free of charge.

“Dogs and their owners are also welcome for selected events with information available through the website.

“We are delighted to have received the grant from the Community Fund. Together with another recent financial award from Western Ferries and an anonymous generous donation, we are now able to put Cowalfest on a sound financial footing for this year’s event and plan for more collaborative, community focused walking events in the future.

“The future is looking bright for Cowalfest and we are gearing up for a fantastic festival of walking later this year,” added Andy.

For more details please visit www.wildaboutargyll.co.uk/cowalfest