HELLO Autumn

Something spooky is happening in Loch Lomond this October! Join Loch Lomond Faerie Trail through the eerie ancient forest solving clues in your activity guides as you go. Watch out for the spiders and trolls! The trail will lead you into Faerie Tale Farm where our farm friends are waiting to meet you! Our pop up Pumpkin Patch is located within our farm park where you can purchase your own pumpkins to carve and of course take lots of snaps!

Pre-booking is essential as availability of walk up tickets cannot be guaranteed. Pumpkins can be purchased on site. Tickets from £8.50, children under 2 years old go free.

Running 3 October – 2 November (NOT Wednesdays), find out more by visiting the Faerie Trail website for full booking information

Friends of Duchess Wood is holding a Tree Treasure Trail Fun, free, family activity to coincide with the half term holiday from 4th to 19th October.  

Posters for the trail are displayed at the entrances to Duchess Wood and feature a QR code which links to a map and worksheet.  Alternatively, maps, worksheets and informative tree guides will be available whilst stocks last at the information boards by the Pony Field.  Participants will need to use the map to find the numbered slates and then identify the nearby trees to solve a puzzle.  Participants can submit the answer to be entered into a prize draw.  The Tree Treasure Trail is suitable for all ages, but under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.

https://www.facebook.com/FODW1/?locale=en_GB

Pumpkin & Play at Monty’s Farm Park October involves: These tickets include
Searching for your pumpkin in our event woodland
A time slot for carving your pumpkin (leaving the mess with us!)
Pumpkin themed games
Play outdoors as long as you fancy between 10-4pm
Meet Monty’s mates ….alpacas / pygmy goats / heelan coos / sheep and pigs) 10-4pm
Lots of pumpkin themed photo opportunities to capture the moments!

Pumpkins by Night: This evening event is aimed at older kids (from over 5 we’d say) and adults who fancy coming along to experience Monty’s by night and carving a pumpkin. This special event includes:
Pumpkin Fun at your chosen time
Wander through our twinkly woods
Carve a pumpkin In our carving station where all the tools are provided – and every bit of mess is left with us!
Boogie in our silent disco
Say hello to our donkeys, shetland pony and goats and guinea pigs in our flood lit pens at the top of the park
Lots of photo opportunities to capture the moments!
Event opening times 5-7.30pm

Visit the website for full details, to see what’s involved and when, and to book sessions https://montysfarmpark.digitickets.co.uk/tickets

Bring your furry friends along for a day packed with fun activities, exciting demonstrations, and plenty of opportunities to meet other dog lovers.

What to expect:

Fun dog shows and competitions
Expert advice from dog trainers and behaviourists
Stalls selling dog treats, toys, accessories, and more
Opportunities to meet different breeds & their proud owners
A fantastic day out for the whole family (dogs included!)

 Ruth Kirby is an artist and designer, and the letterpress technician in the Caseroom at Glasgow School of Art. Join her to discover the fascinating art of letterpress printing, a relief printing technique that revolutionised communication in 15th-century Europe and shaped print for over 500 years.

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll explore traditional and DIY approaches to letterpress. Using geometric blocks, we’ll experiment with type, pattern, and shape to create unique hand-printed designs and learn simple methods to continue printing at home.

This two-hour session is suitable for children aged 4 and up, and runs twice during the day. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

• Morning: 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
• Afternoon: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

If you have questions about workshop accessibility, please get in touch with Emma Henderson (Curator of Engagement).

Book a place through our ticket tailor site here https://www.tickettailor.com/events/covepark/1905211

Take part in our spooky Halloween trail set in our enchanting garden. After your walk, get creative with a fun Halloween-themed craft activity—perfect for children and families looking to enjoy some autumn magic!

Tickets: £4 per trail + Eventbrite booking fee https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/geilston-garden-halloween-trail-tickets-1562904422199

Dates: Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th October 2025

Times: Attend our trail at any time between 11am and 3pm

Please note, the trail takes place outdoors, so be sure to dress for the weather to stay warm and comfortable as you explore the garden.

On the 25th and 26th of October 2025, enjoy a walk through our eerie garden graveyard trail and get creative with a fun Halloween-themed craft activity. Perfect for families looking for a gentle scare and some autumn excitement!

Tickets: £4 per trail + Eventbrite booking fee

Dates: Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th October 2025

Times: Attend our trail at any time between 11am and 3pm

As the trail is held outside, we recommend dressing for the weather to stay comfortable during your visit.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hill-house-halloween-trail-tickets-1562496722759

Helensburgh and District Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society run classes and dances from October to March. Full schedule at https://rscds-helensburgh.org.uk/ and dances held at Helensburgh Parish Church Hall or Cardross Parish Church Hall. Tickets £12

2025-2026 season
25 October 2-5pm, Matthew Maclennan, Helensburgh Parish Church Hall
15 November, 2-5pm Susan MacFadyen, Helensburgh Parish Church Hall
9 December (Tuesday Club Christmas Dance), 7.45-10.15pm Màrtainn Skene, Pillar Hall, Victoria Halls
13 December (Christmas Dance), 7.30-10.30pm Sandy Nixon Band, Cardross Parish Church Hall
10 January (Members Dance) 7.30-10pm Matthew Maclennan, Helensburgh Parish Church Hall
14 February (Charity Dance) 7.30-10.30pm Ian Muir Duo, Cardross Parish Church Hall
1 March (Nice and Easy Afternoon Dance in aid of Alzheimer Scotland- Helensburgh Dementia Resource Centre) 7.30-10.30pm Susan MacFadyen Duo Cardross Parish Church Hall

Plus Half day school and dance 28th March details at https://rscds-helensburgh.org.uk/half-day-school-26/

RAVE ON THE CLYDE: HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 
Prepare for a spine-tingling night of music, energy, and pure Halloween vibes!

This hauntingly electrifying event brings the best of techno, house, and dance music to the Clyde’s waterfront venue, the Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre. Expect eerie visuals, dark beats, and a dancefloor full of costumed ravers ready to go all night.

Lineup Highlights Lange – UK trance pioneer, chart-topping producer, and global DJ summoning high-energy anthems to light up the night.
Stephen Kirkwood – Glasgow-born tech-trance innovator, globe-trotting DJ & mentor, casting powerful, peak-time spells through dynamic productions.
Big Gal – rising Scottish talent with viral energy, BBC-supported releases, and electrifying sets that’ll raise the dead on the dancefloor.

Sound supplied by Blue Audio
Indoor standing event, 18+
Costumes encouraged – the darker, the better!

Secure your tickets now for the most terrifyingly good rave of the year! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rave-on-the-clyde-tickets-1667698554269

Eilidh Steel is an award winning fiddler and composer, known for her beautifully expressive and stylistic playing. She grew up immersed in both traditional and classical music and started touring abroad with bands from the age of 16. Since graduating from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow where she studied the BA Honours degree in Scottish Music, Eilidh has carved out an impressive career for herself as a touring musician, composer and tutor, performing extensively across the UK, Europe and further afield including at major festivals Celtic Connections (Scotland) Festival Celtique de Corbeyrier (Switzerland) Tocati Festival (Italy) Interkeltisches Folk Festival (Germany), Wackelstein Festival (Austria.) She has appeared on multiple TV programmes on the BBC, and has accompanied actor/singer Ewan MacGregor performing at a gig alongside the pop band Madness. Her website is: www.eilidhsteel.com

This workshop is open to melody players who are intermediate level and up (fiddle/violin, accordion, mandolin, clàrsach etc) If you would like to find out if your instrument would suit please get in touch by email. In this workshop you will learn some traditional Scottish tunes and gain confidence at picking up tunes by ear. Sheet music will be provided to take home.

* To book your place, please email: helensburghtradsession@yahoo.com and please mention what instrument you play.

Venue: Helensburgh Baptist Church Hall, 7 East King Street, Helensburgh, G84 7QQ.
When: Sunday 26th October, 2pm – 5pm
Cost: ‘Pay as you can’ on the day of the workshop (suggested price £10/£15 for those who can afford this)
All ages welcome, under 16s must bring a guardian.

Access information: this workshop will take place on the ground floor, there is a ramp into the building (no stairs) and the venue has a disabled toilet. If you’d like to share any access requirements or adjustments you would like the organiser or workshop tutor to be aware of, please get in touch by email.

This workshop has been made possible with support from the Maoin nan Ealan Gàidhlig fund. Mòran taing gu Alba Chruthachail, Bòrd na Gàidhlig agus Fèisean nan Gàidheal. Taing gu Eaglais Bhaisteach Baile Eilidh cuideachd.
// Huge thanks to Creative Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Fèisean nan Gàidheal, and also to Helensburgh Baptist Church for kindly providing the venue.

This workshop is running in association with the Helensburgh trad music session which happens on the first Monday of the month in Helensburgh. All welcome (including under 18s) to join in or listen, see: https://www.facebook.com/HelensburghTradMusicSession

Helensburgh and District Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Ceildih Dancing Class.

Sundays 3-4.30pm Helensburgh Parish Church
26 October (first class free)
30 November
21 December

£5 per adult or £10 per family, includes juice and a biscuit, all welcome

Info at https://rscds-helensburgh.org.uk/ or Contact Anne Thorn am_thorn@hotmail.co.uk

MacGregor’s Gathering, an immersive experience in music, song and dance, is coming to Cove Burgh Hall and Cove Sailing Club on Friday/Saturday the 31st Oct/1 Nov. Hosted by Bruce MacGregor, founder of Blazin’ Fiddles and three times winner of Best Folk Band at the Trad Awards, the weekend includes a video broadcast and open session on Friday, workshops on Saturday morning and a concert and ceilidh on the Saturday night. Details below.

FRIDAY 31st OCTOBER:  COVE SAILING CLUB
15:30 – 16:30 Video recorded session with live audience
17:30 – 19:00 Open Session

SATURDAY 1st NOVEMBER: COVE BURGH HALL
10-12 Workshops: Multi instrument groups on melody, rhythm and song, and Step Dancing with Sophie Stevenson
19:30 MacGregor’s Gathering Concert
21:00 Family Ceilidh

Weekend tickets valid for all events are £20,  £30 for a family ticket.    Single event tickets for either Friday/Sat morning/Saturday evening  £12.50.  Ticket sales will be via the Cove Burgh Hall webpage.

https://coveburghhall.org.uk/events/event/macgregors-gathering/

Come for a drink, a sandwich and an hour of wonderful music being performed. To reserve places so we have an idea of numbers please email: randschurch59@gmail.com Suggested donation £15. Doors open 12.30 (except 28 September, 2.45pm)

2025
1pm – Friday 26th September: Sian Winstanley (vocals), Louise Burnet (flute), Stephen Adam (piano)
3pm – Sunday 28th September: Ainsley Hamill (vocals, harmonium), Sam Kelly (guitar, bass), Toby Shaer (guitar)
1pm – Friday 31st October: Nicholas Wilks (clarinet) and Robert Bridge (piano)
1pm – Friday 28th November: Emma Baird – Violin, Marianna Abrahamyan (piano)
2026
1pm – Friday 30th January: Nikita Lukinov – (Piano)
1pm – Friday 27th March: Ryan Corbett (Accordian)
1pm – Friday 24th April: Trio Alma: Daniella Hathaway – Soprano, Sarah Harrington – Cello, Stephen Adam – Piano

Something spooky is happening in Loch Lomond this October! Join Loch Lomond Faerie Trail through the eerie ancient forest solving clues in your activity guides as you go. Watch out for the spiders and trolls! The trail will lead you into Faerie Tale Farm where our farm friends are waiting to meet you! Our pop up Pumpkin Patch is located within our farm park where you can purchase your own pumpkins to carve and of course take lots of snaps!

Pre-booking is essential as availability of walk up tickets cannot be guaranteed. Pumpkins can be purchased on site. Tickets from £8.50, children under 2 years old go free.

Running 3 October – 2 November (NOT Wednesdays), find out more by visiting the Faerie Trail website for full booking information

MacGregor’s Gathering, an immersive experience in music, song and dance, is coming to Cove Burgh Hall and Cove Sailing Club on Friday/Saturday the 31st Oct/1 Nov. Hosted by Bruce MacGregor, founder of Blazin’ Fiddles and three times winner of Best Folk Band at the Trad Awards, the weekend includes a video broadcast and open session on Friday, workshops on Saturday morning and a concert and ceilidh on the Saturday night. Details below.

FRIDAY 31st OCTOBER:  COVE SAILING CLUB
15:30 – 16:30 Video recorded session with live audience
17:30 – 19:00 Open Session

SATURDAY 1st NOVEMBER: COVE BURGH HALL
10-12 Workshops: Multi instrument groups on melody, rhythm and song, and Step Dancing with Sophie Stevenson
19:30 MacGregor’s Gathering Concert
21:00 Family Ceilidh

Weekend tickets valid for all events are £20,  £30 for a family ticket.    Single event tickets for either Friday/Sat morning/Saturday evening  £12.50.  Ticket sales will be via the Cove Burgh Hall webpage.

https://coveburghhall.org.uk/events/event/macgregors-gathering/

£8 per person + fee | Ages 16+ (U18’s with adult)
Guided tours every hour Book at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/halloween-horror-trail-tickets-1299253445029

Step into the dark… if you dare.
The Hollowing is a 1km haunted trail through the cursed park of Rosneath — with live actors, terrifying scenes, and an unfolding story of witches, killers, and restless souls.
Expect direct interaction on the night, what you can’t see cant hurt you. But they can see you.

The Castle Isle will be the safety hub for you to spend the night. Join in with the halloween party both before and after the horror trail. Grab a bit to eat and a drink to calm your nerves.

6 immersive horror zones:
The Witch’s Altar / Murder Shack / Drowned Boy / Vampire’s Crypt /Hanging Tree / The Great Escape

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

Helensburgh and Gareloch Horticultural Society hold a series of talks, free to members, non members welcome £5, more details on the HGHS website.

10 September Planting the seeds of hope – Horatio’s Garden. Chelsea Lowe.
8 October A social and historical perspective of Geilston Garden. Alana Ingram.
12 November Sally Morgan: Would you be the best judge of the Chelsea Flower Show Garden? Dougal Philip and Lesley Watson, Hoptoun Gardens
14 January Hisotry of the honey bee. Colin Sherwood
14 February: Truly hardy perennials, Helen Knowles.
11 March Introduction to fuchsias with practical demonstration. Andrew Cathcart and Tom Sneddon.
22 April AGM and spring bulb competition

Helensburgh and District Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society run classes and dances from October to March. Full schedule at https://rscds-helensburgh.org.uk/ and dances held at Helensburgh Parish Church Hall or Cardross Parish Church Hall. Tickets £12

2025-2026 season
25 October 2-5pm, Matthew Maclennan, Helensburgh Parish Church Hall
15 November, 2-5pm Susan MacFadyen, Helensburgh Parish Church Hall
9 December (Tuesday Club Christmas Dance), 7.45-10.15pm Màrtainn Skene, Pillar Hall, Victoria Halls
13 December (Christmas Dance), 7.30-10.30pm Sandy Nixon Band, Cardross Parish Church Hall
10 January (Members Dance) 7.30-10pm Matthew Maclennan, Helensburgh Parish Church Hall
14 February (Charity Dance) 7.30-10.30pm Ian Muir Duo, Cardross Parish Church Hall
1 March (Nice and Easy Afternoon Dance in aid of Alzheimer Scotland- Helensburgh Dementia Resource Centre) 7.30-10.30pm Susan MacFadyen Duo Cardross Parish Church Hall

Plus Half day school and dance 28th March details at https://rscds-helensburgh.org.uk/half-day-school-26/

Ruairidh Gray is a Gaelic singer from Daliburgh on the Isle of South Uist. In 2022 he became the second person ever to have won both the “Bonn Òr a Chomainn” and the “Bonn Òr an t-Seann Nòs” at the Royal National Mòd which was held in Perth. Later that same year, he was voted “MG Alba Gaelic Singer of the Year” at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards.

He graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland last year with a BMus Honours degree in Traditional Music and is currently continuing at RCS studying a masters in Gaelic song. As well as performing and teaching, he makes regular appearances on BBC Alba and BBC Radio Nan Gàidheal both as a performer and broadcaster.

In this workshop Ruairidh will teach you a few songs, going through the pronunciation of the words and going over the songs slowly so everyone goes away able to enjoy singing them. No prior knowledge of Scottish Gaelic needed! The lyrics will be provided for you to take home.

* To book your place, please email: helensburghtradsession@yahoo.com

Venue: Helensburgh Baptist Church Hall, 7 East King Street, Helensburgh, G84 7QQ.
When: Sunday 16th November, 2pm – 5pm
Cost: ‘Pay as you can’ on the day of the workshop (suggested price £10/£15 for those who can afford this)
All ages welcome – under 16s must bring a guardian.

Access information: this workshop will take place on the ground floor, there is a ramp into the building (no stairs) and the venue has a disabled toilet. If you’d like to share any access requirements or adjustments you would like the organiser or workshop tutor to be aware of, please get in touch by email.

This workshop has been made possible with support from the Maoin nan Ealan Gàidhlig fund. Mòran taing gu Alba Chruthachail, Bòrd na Gàidhlig agus Fèisean nan Gàidheal. Taing gu Eaglais Bhaisteach Baile Eilidh cuideachd.
// Huge thanks to Creative Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Fèisean nan Gàidheal, and also to Helensburgh Baptist Church for kindly providing the venue.

This workshop is running in association with the Helensburgh trad music session which happens on the first Monday of the month in Helensburgh. All welcome (including under 18s) to join in or listen, see: https://www.facebook.com/HelensburghTradMusicSession