Discover Helensburgh & Lomond,
the Gateway to Argyll

Start your day with an unforgettable early morning walk through RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond. As dawn breaks, watch thousands of geese take flight from their overnight roosts on the loch and from surrounding areas, as they fly off to their daytime feeding spots. We’ll guide you to a viewpoint at the shore of Loch Lomond, where you can immerse yourself in the early morning wildlife spectacles.

This walk is approximately 2.5 km each way offering opportunities to connect with nature and capture stunning moments along the way. It will be dark on the way down to the loch shore. We recommend wellingtons or sturdy walking boots and don’t forget to dress warmly! The crisp morning air by the loch can be very chilly. The exact meeting time and location will be shared via email to those booked, closer to the event.

6 December 2025 6.40am
14 December 7am
11 January 2026 7am
24 January 6.40am
7 February 6.15am

Book online at https://events.rspb.org.uk/lochlomond

2 Workshops with artist Emma Henderson:

7 February 10am-2pm Natural Inks & Screen Printing Workshop. In this experimental, hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to turn natural materials into colour and transform them into inks for printmaking. Focusing on screen printing on paper, we’ll use simple stencils to print and layer colour, exploring the unique possibilities of natural inks. You’ll also experiment with natural modifiers that alter the pH of the inks, shifting hues and expanding the colour palette in unexpected and exciting ways. This workshop places an emphasis on exploration and process rather than finished outcomes. Working with natural materials encourages more circular, resourceful, and intuitive ways of making. While you may not leave with a gallery-ready artwork, you will gain the knowledge and confidence to continue developing your experiments in your own time. £65, Book Online at https://www.emmahenderson.studio/collections/workshops/products/screen-printing-with-natural-dyes-7-february

7 March 10am-2pm Mordant Printing with natural colour Natural dyeing and printmaking come together in this in-depth, hands-on introduction to mordant printing using natural materials. A mordant is a naturally occurring mineral that helps fix natural dyes to cloth. In this workshop, you’ll work with two different types of mordant, applying them to fabric using blocks, stencils, brushes, and silk screen techniques. Once the cloth is immersed in the dye bath, your printed designs will be revealed through subtle shifts in colour and pattern. The session begins with a detailed introduction to natural dyeing and mordanting, followed by a practical demonstration on mixing and preparing mordant pastes. You’ll then have time to experiment, choosing from a range of techniques to print your own designs onto cloth. We’ll also cover the wider dyeing process, including preparing fabric for dyeing and setting up dye pots. While the cloth is in the dye bath, we’ll take a guided walk around the site to identify local dye plants and discuss how they can be used in future dyeing experiments. This offers a chance to deepen your understanding of natural colour beyond the workshop itself. £65, Book Online at https://www.emmahenderson.studio/collections/workshops/products/mordant-printing-with-natural-dyes-saturday-7-march

VOYAGE the ABBA tribute band perform a very lively show with a truly authentic look, Swedish accents, choreographed dance routines like the originals where possible and really capture the feel of the Abba era – Abba as they were in they were in their heyday!

Doors open 7pm Show starts circa 8pm
Two sets with break in between. Licenced bar.
Dressing up encouraged but not compulsory.
Playlist of dance floor fillers before and after the act.
Ticket Price: £15 https://coveburghhall.org.uk/events/event/abba-tribute-band/

Helensburgh & District Beekeepers are running a new 5 week beginners beekeeping course on a Monday which will start in February. Fees will be £50.00 which includes 1 year membership, visit to apiary, and a book on keeping bees.
No bee equipment is needed to attend the course, everything will be supplied. This will be held in the Parish Church on; 9 February until 9 March. To apply go onto our webpage https://helensburghbees.com/ and click on Secretary link.

They also have a series of talks and anyone with an interest or simply curious about bees is welcome to any of their friendly meetings.

27 January, 24 February, 24 March and 28 April – details at the website

The Arts Society Lomond and Argyll have an exciting line-up of events. These are open to Members (free) and Guests (£10) – visit https://www.tasla.org.uk/ to find out about Membership! Lectures are held on the 2nd Tuesday of every Month At Victoria Halls, Helensburgh at 10.30am, with coffee available beforehand from 10am.

9th September 2025 From Downton to Gatsby By Andrew Prince
14th October 2025 The Baroque Country House by Amy Lim
11th November 2025 Tintoretto, painter of the people by Julia Musgrave
9th December 2024 Christmas Ghosts by Kirsty Hartsiosis
13th January 2026 The History of Opera by Jamie Hayes
10th February 2026 The Glasgow Girls by Elaine Hansen
10th March 2026 Bad Behaviour by Mark Fisher
14th April 2026 Poetry, Passion and Painting by Michael Howard
12th May 2026 The Sutton Hoo Ship Burial by Mark Cottle
9th June 2026 History of Embroidery by Susan Kay-Williams