HELLO Summer

Friends of Duchess Wood is holding a Tree Treasure Trail from 2-4.30pm on Sunday, 8 June.

Free, fun and educational treasure hunt for all ages. Identify eight marked trees in the wood to solve a puzzle and win a prize. Children must be accompanied.  Starting point will be signed from Kathleen Park car park. 

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

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.

September 10th 2024 The Classical Re-invented – The Brilliant Legacy Of Sir Christopher Wren By Ian Swankie
October 8th 2024 The Trials and Tribulations of Vincent Van Gogh as seen through his works by Carole Petipher
November 12th 2024 Matisse-Master of Colour by Lydia Bauman
10th December 2024 Gotta Dance: The Hollywood Musical by Colin Shindler
14th January 2025 A Renaissance Art in England: Henry V111. Elizabeth 1 and the Greenwich Armourers by Tobias Capwell
11th February 2025 The Wallace Collection: A Palace of Genius
11th March 2025 The Story of Jewellery in Scotland by Clare Blatherwick
15th April 2025 Fashion, Feathers & Feminism: Women’s Fight for Change by Tessa Boase
13th May 2025 Painting Is Dead… Long Live Photography! by Aliki Braine
10th June 2025 Pierrot Heroes – The Evolution Of British Seaside Entertainment by Tony Lidington

 Join public artist Maya Rose Edwards for a creative workshop at Cove Park ahead of their commission on the Highland Boundary Fault to be installed September this year. Maya invites local young people and their families to take part in activities exploring ideas of ‘landmarking’. What is a landmark? Who gets to decide what deserves a landmark? In what ways does the land create marks itself?

Using natural materials and sculptural processes and taking inspiration from the location of Cove Park and its proximity to the Highland Boundary Fault, participants will create their own mythical landmarks and collect clues of the vast geological history beneath their feet.

Book your place on Ticket Tailor https://buytickets.at/covepark/1726900

Traditional music accompaniment workshop with Mark Neal.
Open to all chord players (e.g. Guitar, mandolin, piano, bouzouki, harp, accordion etc) who are intermediate level and above, and have a good grasp of basic chords. The workshop will look into keys, chords and structure in traditional music, techniques and theory for expanding your chord selection and rhythms for different types of tunes and songs.

This workshop will be lead by renowned guitarist and singer-songwriter Mark Neal “hailed as one of the most notable guitarists on the traditional music scene” (Ross-shire Journal.) Mark has been working as a professional musician for over 20 years, performing, recording and teaching. He has recorded with various artists but recently released his first solo album ‘Cool Waters.’

* 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 15th June, 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 traditional music session which happens on the first Monday of the month 7pm – 9pm. Over the Summer the session being hosted at Beachcomber Cafe, Kidston Park. All welcome including under 18’s, to join in or listen.

Linn Botanic Gardens is opening for charity with Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, nominated charity Scottish Refugee Council.

2025 – 18 June – 17 August (not Monday & Tuesday), 10am – 5pm

Ticket Price: £5 for garden entry only. Supervised children may visit the garden free of charge. Find out more here: https://scotlandsgardens.org/linn-botanic-gardens/

The garden is open on selected dates and will be an opportunity to see the restoration work being undertaken in the garden. It is still very much a work in progress, but large parts of the old plant collection remain intact. You are invited to explore what has been restored and to discuss the plans to complete the repair work and then further develop the garden in the future, but please do bear in mind that it is a long way from being the finished article just yet.

Please note that children are welcome free of charge but must be supervised at all times. Please also note that there is no parking in the garden; cars should be left at the picnic area and then walk in to the garden. Please do liftshare if possible or take the 316 bus to Coulport from Colquhoun Square in Helensburgh and ask to be dropped at Cove.

Midsummer Rest: Restorative Yoga
Frid 20 June, 6.45-8.30pm Templeton Annex, Helensburgh & Lomond Civic Centre

Feeling rushed as summer arrives? Avoid burning out by taking a pause as we reach the solstice. This evening session supports you to slow down, cool down and refresh your energy and spirit. Connect with the light and the natural cycles of nature.

What to expect:
Gentle movements to relax the body
Lying in supported floor-based yoga poses
Working with breath and awareness
A Yoga Nidra guided relaxation
Tea and time to connect with others

Whether you’re new to yoga or a regular on the mat, this is a great way to pause and reconnect with how you are at the turning point of the year.

Booking essential https://buytickets.at/kerrymckay

The Loch Lomond 10K, 5K and Fun Run are organised by West Dunbartonshire Leisure. All races start and finish in the same location within the picturesque village of Balloch and take in the stunning surroundings of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

More details at https://www.entrycentral.com/loch-lomond-10k-and-5k and https://runlochlomond.com/

Felted feet to wear – an event by Woodlandwise Forest School CIC in Duchess Woods Helensburgh

Come and enjoy a relaxing woodland workshop where you’ll make your own cosy felt slippers, take a mindful stroll through beautiful surroundings and enjoy warm refreshments by the fire. A peaceful creative day to unwind and connect with nature.

This event is open to those of age 12 and over, under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. All materials will be provided, including hot drinks and campfire delights 

Book (£30) at https://woodlandwise-forest-school.live.baluu.co.uk/event/felted-feet-to-wear-1743623460

Linn Botanic Gardens is opening for charity with Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, nominated charity Scottish Refugee Council.

2025 – 18 June – 17 August (not Monday & Tuesday), 10am – 5pm

Ticket Price: £5 for garden entry only. Supervised children may visit the garden free of charge. Find out more here: https://scotlandsgardens.org/linn-botanic-gardens/

The garden is open on selected dates and will be an opportunity to see the restoration work being undertaken in the garden. It is still very much a work in progress, but large parts of the old plant collection remain intact. You are invited to explore what has been restored and to discuss the plans to complete the repair work and then further develop the garden in the future, but please do bear in mind that it is a long way from being the finished article just yet.

Please note that children are welcome free of charge but must be supervised at all times. Please also note that there is no parking in the garden; cars should be left at the picnic area and then walk in to the garden. Please do liftshare if possible or take the 316 bus to Coulport from Colquhoun Square in Helensburgh and ask to be dropped at Cove.

RSPB Loch Lomond run a series of events throughout the year – find the full listing and booking information at https://events.rspb.org.uk/lochlomond

• Dawn Chorus, Saturday 3 May 4.20-7.30am
  Sensory Bluebell Walk, Sunday 18 May 10-12am
  Wild Food Foraging – Saturday 28 June 1-4pm
  Wildflower Wander – Sunday 27 July 1-3.30pm
  Wild Food Foraging – Sunday 28 September 1-4pm

Linn Botanic Gardens is opening for charity with Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, nominated charity Scottish Refugee Council.

2025 – 18 June – 17 August (not Monday & Tuesday), 10am – 5pm

Ticket Price: £5 for garden entry only. Supervised children may visit the garden free of charge. Find out more here: https://scotlandsgardens.org/linn-botanic-gardens/

The garden is open on selected dates and will be an opportunity to see the restoration work being undertaken in the garden. It is still very much a work in progress, but large parts of the old plant collection remain intact. You are invited to explore what has been restored and to discuss the plans to complete the repair work and then further develop the garden in the future, but please do bear in mind that it is a long way from being the finished article just yet.

Please note that children are welcome free of charge but must be supervised at all times. Please also note that there is no parking in the garden; cars should be left at the picnic area and then walk in to the garden. Please do liftshare if possible or take the 316 bus to Coulport from Colquhoun Square in Helensburgh and ask to be dropped at Cove.

Elgar’s Enigma Variations

Join Helensburgh Orchestral Society for a day of music making and socialising. Invite your friends who wish they were in the orchestra but can’t commit to travelling to Helensburgh every week! Make a weekend of it!
At the end of the day we will have a play through which family and friends are welcome to attend!

The popular Geilston Garden ‘Sunday in the Garden’ Event will run throughout the season.
A wonderful opportunity to spend a relaxing afternoon taking in the peaceful atmosphere of the garden, enjoying the changes in colour and texture of the planting as the growing season proceeds. The kitchen garden providing produce and inspiration for fruit and vegetable growers and for those who just like to eat them! And so many fun and interesting paths and the play area for children to explore.
The Friends of Geilston tea and homemade cake stall will be serving from 12md – 4pm and each month there is musical entertainment by local choirs from 2.30pm

Sunday 4th June – Tartan Harmony
Sunday 6th July – Peninsula Choir
Sunday 7th September – Helensburgh Oratorio Choir

Normal NTS garden entry charges apply. Entry free for NTS members, see NTS website for details of entry charges and membership.