HELLO Spring

Make Helensburgh & Lomond your gateway to Argyll this spring!

Only 45 minutes by train from Glasgow, and within easy reach of both the west coast and central belt of Scotland, Helensburgh & Lomond is the ideal location for Spring day out. The town of Helensburgh is known as the ‘Garden City of the Clyde’, famous for its tree-lined streets and the spectacular Cherry Blossom that flowers every year. Enjoy the gardens at Glenarn, or explore Geilston Garden and Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Hill House (both National Trust for Scotland). Visit for the day to browse in our unique shops, or relax in fabulous cafés and restaurants.

Casper, the Wee White Dug at Geilston Garden, photo by Sam Grant

In Spring 2022 we were delighted to welcome blogger Sam Grant with husband Alex and Westie Casper, aka the Wee White Dug, to experience Helensburgh, the ‘Garden City of the Clyde‘. As well as seeing our fabulous cherry blossom, they visited local gardens at Glenarn in Rhu and Geilston at Cardross, and took in a boat trip on the Clyde and a visit to the famous Hill House by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Casper got a smart bow-tie and some other goodies at Tweedie from their Dapper Dogs range. There was lots of eating on the trip, at Beachcomber Cafe at Kidston Park, Sugar Boat, The Park Pavilion, The Artist Patisserie and Cattle and Creel, and boutique accommodation and hearty breakfasts at the gorgeous Riva Boutique Restaurant Bar & Hotel on Helensburgh’s seafront.

You can read about all the trip and see all their fabulous photos at the blog on their website or at their Facebook Page. You can also follow the Wee White Dug on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

Casper, the Wee White Dug, at Riva Boutique Restaurant Bar & Hotel, photo by Sam Grant — Casper, the Wee White Dug at Riva Boutique Restaurant Bar & Hotel, photo by Sam Grant

Casper, the Wee White Dug, at The Hill House, photo by Sam Grant — Casper, the Wee White Dug at The Hill House, photo by Sam Grant

Casper, the Wee White Dug at Tweedie, photo by Sam Grant

Ragu and gnocchi at Sugar Boat, photo by Sam Grant

Spring Events (March-May)

Date

Title

Current Month

April

04apr11:00Ardkinglas House Cookery WorkshopCairndow

04apr19:00Wine Lover’s DinnerCove

05aprAll Day06Springfest at Loch Lomond ShoresLoch Lomond Shores

05apr10:0013:00Peony Plant Support WorkshopCardross

05apr10:30New Shop Opening!Helensburgh

05apr12:00The Cobbler Hill RaceArrochar

05apr16:0021:30Shoreline FestivalHelensburgh

05apr18:0021:00Beer, Bubbles & BletherDumbarton

06apr12:0016:00Wedding Open Day at Rosslea HallRhu

06apr15:00Music at ArdkinglasCairndow

07apr19:0021:00Traditional Music SessionHelensburgh

08apr10:0015:00Banking Hub Drop-InHelensburgh

09apr19:00An Evening with Mary IrvineHelensburgh

12apr10:0016:00Spring Market in the SquareColquhoun Square

12apr15:00Music at ArdkinglasCairndow

13apr15:3016:30Kilcreggan Pier Heritage GalleryKilcreggan

15apr10:3012:00The Arts Society Lomond & Argyll 2024-2025 EventsHelensburgh

17aprAll DayCinema ScreeningsHelensburgh

18apr(apr 18)10:0021(apr 21)16:00Geilston Garden Easter Egg TrailCardross

18apr(apr 18)11:0021(apr 21)15:00The Hill House Easter Egg TrailHelensburgh

19apr10:0011:30Beach Cleans HelensburghHelensburgh

19apr10:0016:00Helensburgh Art Club One Day SaleHelensburgh

19apr11:0015:00Easter Fun in Hermitage ParkHelensburgh

19apr19:3023:30Gin Tasting at The BeachcomberHelensburgh

20aprAll DayEaster Sunday

23apr19:0021:30Horticutural Society TalksVictoria Halls

23apr19:00Beinn Dubh Hill RaceLuss

24apr19:0021:00Helensburgh Community Council MeetingHelensburgh

24apr19:0023:30Fundraising QuizHelensburgh

25aprAll Day28Scottish Ramblers GatheringRhu

25apr13:0014:00Sandwich Series ConcertsRhu

25apr19:30National Theatre of Scotland at Cove Burgh HallCove

25apr(apr 25)19:3026(apr 26)22:00Mad About MusicalsHelensburgh

26apr10:0011:30Beach Cleans HelensburghHelensburgh

26apr10:0015:00Craft Fair in ArrocharArrochar

26apr10:0016:00Spring Market in the SquareColquhoun Square

26apr11:0015:00Hermitage PTA Spring Table Top SaleHelensburgh

26apr12:0015:00Scottish Rhododendron Society National ShowGarelochhead

26apr19:00Family Movie NightsHelensburgh

27apr09:3015:45Road Smart EventHelensburgh

27apr15:00Music at ArdkinglasCairndow

27apr19:00Sunday @ Seven ConcertsHelensburgh

Event Details

All concerts start at 7pm and last about an hour. Entry is free although there is a retiring collection to help pay for the series.

20 𝙊𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙗𝙚𝙧 2024 – 𝙇𝙚𝙖 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙬 (𝙈𝙚𝙯𝙯𝙤-𝙨𝙤𝙥𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙤) 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝘿𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙠 𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙠 (𝙥𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙤)
Following study at the RCS, Lea Shaw has just completed two years as an Emerging Artist at Scottish Opera, during which time she made a very favourable impression on audiences as a mezzo to watch. Her varied recital programme here includes five rarely performed songs by Alma Mahler, whose music is only now receiving the recognition it deserves, following years of neglect after her husband, fellow composer Gustav Mahler, insisted give up composition when she married him. Also included are the lively ‘Canciones negras’ by Spanish composer Xavier Montsalvatge, based on West Indian rhythms.
24 𝙉𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 2024 – 𝙂𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙜𝙤𝙬 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙝𝙤𝙞𝙧 (𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙚𝙡 𝘽𝙖𝙬𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙚)
This concert forms part of the Glasgow Chamber Choir’s 30th anniversary season, so to celebrate they are performing music by composers who also have anniversaries this year. Swiss composer Frank Martin died 50 years ago, and his Mass for double Choir lay in a cupboard unperformed for many years. Charles Villiers Stanford died 100 years ago. His setting of the Magnificat, also for double choir, was inspired by the motets of J. S. Bach. Jonathan Dove’s choral song cycle, The Passing of the Year completes this virtuosic programme.
22 𝘿𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 2024 – ‘𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙞𝙣𝙜’ 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙩—𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 7.30𝙥𝙢!
Our annual Carol concert with augmented choir, brass ensemble and organ and plenty of opportunity to join in, followed by mulled wine and mince pies in the hall. There will be the usual retiring collection in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support, for which the choir has now raised over £33,000.
26 𝙅𝙖𝙣𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙮 2025 – 𝙏𝘽𝘾
17 𝙁𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙮 2025 – 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙥 𝙀𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙡𝙚
This Glasgow- based ensemble comprises two singers (soprano Jessica Leary and baritone Andrew McTaggart) with cellist Andrew Drummond-Huggan and pianist Andrew Forbes. They present a programme of specially arranged music with a sea-faring theme (including Stanford’s well-known ‘Songs of the Sea’) which was originally put together for the Tall Ships Festival in Aberdeen.
30 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝 2025 – 𝙋𝙪𝙥𝙞𝙡𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝘼𝙘𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙮
Local school pupils present a varied programme of vocal and instrumental music to suit all tastes under the direction of their Head of Music, Pamela Frew.
27 𝘼𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙡 2025 – 𝙈𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙘 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨
Former colleagues from the Orchestra of Scottish Opera join HPC’s Director of Music for another evening of chamber music, centred around Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34. This work, described as ‘Brahms’ most epic and monumental chamber work’ started out as a quintet for strings, and was then recast as a sonata for two pianos, before assuming its final form. It contains one of the composer’s most beautiful slow movements and an especially powerful and dramatic finale, bringing the work to a triumphant conclusion. Definitely a season highpoint!
25 𝙈𝙖𝙮 2025 – 𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙜𝙝 𝙃𝙮𝙢𝙣𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙩
A much-anticipated return for this popular event. Join the augmented choir, praise band, brass and organ to make a joyful noise with a programme of favourite hymns and worship songs which will combine old favourites with some newer items A ‘good sing’ is guaranteed.
29 𝙅𝙪𝙣𝙚 2025 – 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧 𝙑𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙣 𝘿𝙪𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝘼𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙃𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙮𝙬𝙤𝙤𝙙
A return visit from husband and wife duo Danny and Alison Miller with a wonderfully nostalgic trip down memory lane featuring music from many of Hollywood’s greatest films. Music by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Erich Korngold and Richard Rogers, to mention but a few, provides what we hope will be the perfect finale to our season.

Time

27 April 2025 19:00(GMT+01:00)

Location

Helensburgh Parish Church

Colquhoun Street, Helensburgh, G84 8UP

Other Events

Go to Event Website

Calendar GoogleCal

May

02mayAll Day04Live in Loch GoilLochgoilhead

03may09:0012:30HGHS Annual Plant SaleHelensburgh

03may19:3023:45Rave on the ClydeHelensburgh

04may12:0016:00Sundays in the GardenGeilston Garden

05may19:0021:00Traditional Music SessionHelensburgh

07may13:3015:30Maytime Music and DanceHelensburgh

08may19:30Mhairi Black: Politics Isn’t For MeHelensburgh

09may19:30Helensburgh Dorian Choir Spring ConcertHelensburgh

10may10:0012:00Christian Aid Grand FayreHelensburgh

10may10:0016:00Spring Market in the SquareColquhoun Square

10may12:0017:00SWI 75th AnniversaryHelensburgh

11may10:0013:00Garden Obelisk WorkshopCardross

11may14:0016:30Yoga WorkshopsHelensburgh

11may14:0017:00Open Gardens (Scotland’s Gardens Scheme)Helensburgh and Lomond

13may10:3012:00The Arts Society Lomond & Argyll 2024-2025 EventsHelensburgh

13may18:0020:30Christian Aid Football TournamentHelensburgh

16may(may 16)18:0017(may 17)23:00Beer and Gin FestivalHelensburgh

16may19:3022:00W2 - U2 Tribute Band at Cove Burgh HallCove

17mayAll Day18Food & Drink WeekendHelensburgh

17may19:00Family Movie NightsHelensburgh

18may14:0017:00Open Gardens (Scotland’s Gardens Scheme)Helensburgh and Lomond

18may18:00Music at ArdkinglasCairndow

19may18:0019:00Christian Aid Girls Football TournamentHelensburgh

24mayAll Day25Lomond UnpluggedLoch Lomond Shores

Event Details

Get Ready to Unplug with Jim Gellatly at Loch Lomond Shores!

We’re beyond excited to announce that the legendary Jim Gellatly will be joining us at Loch Lomond Shores for our Lomond Unplugged weekend!
Get ready for a weekend filled with incredible live music, handpicked by the Award-winning broadcaster, himself. Jim’s passion for discovering and championing new Scottish talent is infectious, and we can’t wait to see what gems he brings to our stage.
Jim has played a key role in uncovering many of the most important bands around, including Oasis, Snow Patrol and Coldplay. The first person to play the likes of Biffy Clyro, The Fratellis, Twin Atlantic, Amy Macdonald and KT Tunstall on the radio, Coventry’s The Enemy have also credited Jim on several occasions for picking up on them while still unsigned.
CALLING ALL BUSKERS!!!!
If you are currently busking your way around Scotland, and want to take your music career to the next level, our Busking Competition at Lomond Unplugged is for YOU! We are looking for talented singer-songwriters who are currently unsigned to submit their demo videos to us, where Jim & his team will select the TOP 16 to play on our Lomond Unplugged stage on Saturday 24th May, at Loch Lomond Shores.
After a combined public and judges vote, the 16 will be whittled down to 8, to come back and play on Sunday 25th May. The overall WINNER will then be selected and announced on the Sunday afternoon.

More information at https://www.facebook.com/LochLomondFoodandDrinkFestivals