HELLO Summer

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!

‘In Steam’ Sat 28 and Sun 29 June 11am – 4pm

Come and see the historic steam winch house, vital for moving the ship in and out of the loch, on one of our special ‘In Steam’ days when you can experience the excitement while steam from a small engine moves the huge haul machinery. Stoke the boiler, haul on the ropes of design your own ship. Purchase some of our attractive Maid merchandise and know you’re helping to get this unique, historic vessel steaming again on the loch. Join one of our knowledgeable guides on a hard hat tour of the vessel. Imagine you’re the captain and steer the ship in the wheelhouse or plot a course for Luss or Balmaha further north on the loch.

Free entry to Winch House, Museum and gift shop. 60 mins hard hat tours £15 for adults and £5 for kids. Bookable online or payable at the slipway. https://www.maidoftheloch.org/maid-shop/p/maid-of-the-loch-hard-hat-tours

Brews, Blether and Shenanigans for the Maid – Fundraising event at No Limits Brewing, Craft Nanobrewery in Dumbarton on Saturday 5 July, 6pm – 9pm

Help raise funds for the ship at this relaxed evening of music, fun and excellent beer – other drinks as well! £5 entry tickets available on this link – just 60 tickets so don’t delay. https://www.maidoftheloch.org/…/no-limits-beer…

o Live Music from Niall Hooper Acoustic Artist

o Design a beer draw (£5 donation to enter), drawn in December. All donations on the night will go to the Maid.

o Superb Raffle with bottles of blend and malt whisky, Maid merchandise.

o Quiz based on the Maid and Loch Lomond. Get your thinking caps on!

o Update on the Maid’s restoration progress and forward plans.

Lennox Brewery, 25 Lime Road, Dumbarton

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.

Jean Senior has been practicing as a medical herbalist for over 20 years and has extensive knowledge of both medicinal plants and foraging. We will look at the plants growing locally and learn how to harvest sustainably. You’ll also learn how different preparations can be made including tinctures, flower remedies and ointments.

All children must be accompanied by an adult. Please wear study boots and clothing appropriate for the weather. Paths may be uneven and slippery, so please discuss any mobility concerns at the time of booking so we can do our best to accommodate your needs.

Booking essential WDC Countryside Ranger Events – https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/local-access-wdc-countryside-ranger-events-1217139

2.30-4pm at
Balloch Castle Country Park Tuesday 8th July
The Saltings, Old Kilpatrick Thursday 10th July
Havoc Meadows, Dumbarton West, Tuesday 22 ndJuly

Jean Senior has been practicing as a medical herbalist for over 20 years and has extensive knowledge of both medicinal plants and foraging. We will look at the plants growing locally and learn how to harvest sustainably. You’ll also learn how different preparations can be made including tinctures, flower remedies and ointments.

All children must be accompanied by an adult. Please wear study boots and clothing appropriate for the weather. Paths may be uneven and slippery, so please discuss any mobility concerns at the time of booking so we can do our best to accommodate your needs.

Booking essential WDC Countryside Ranger Events – https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/local-access-wdc-countryside-ranger-events-1217139

2.30-4pm at
Balloch Castle Country Park Tuesday 8th July
The Saltings, Old Kilpatrick Thursday 10th July
Havoc Meadows, Dumbarton West, Tuesday 22 ndJuly

Join us for an afternoon of laughs at Centre 81 Comedy Fundraiser to support a good cause!

Join us for an afternoon of laughter and generosity at our Comedy Fundraiser on Sunday, July 13th, 2025!
Hosted by the rudely hilarious Scott Agnew , this unforgettable afternoon will feature side-splitting performances from the incredible Jay Lafferty and the fabulous Susie McCabe .
Together, these amazing comedians will have you rolling in the aisles while raising vital funds for a worthy cause.
Don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy a fantastic afternoon of comedy and make a difference in the community.
Grab your tickets now and get ready to laugh for a good cause!
Please note that this event is for ages 18 and over. 

Tickets https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/centre-81-comedy-fundraiser-tickets-1349665619199

Magical Garden Workshop: Fairy & Elf Creations – Join us for a magical morning at Geilston Garden with our first family workshop in collaboration with Woodhead Willow. Inspired by the garden’s charming fairy trail, this hands-on session invites children and adults to create their own fairy or elf houses and decorate a special magician or fairy wand to take home.
This outdoor workshop is designed for families to enjoy together and is suitable for children aged 5 and up (each child must be accompanied by an adult). Tickets are £20 and include materials for both an adult and a child.
Come dressed for the weather and get ready to craft some garden magic!
Date: Wednesday 16th July
Time: 10am–12pm
Location: Geilston Garden, Book tickets in advance at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/magical-garden-workshop-fairy-elf-creations-tickets-1444773950779

Join Rosneath Castle Caravan Park  for a day filled with laughter, games, and memories at their Family Fun Day!

Tickets – £15pp, Family Tickets (Maximum of 4) – £45

What to Expect:
Hungry Hippos Dash and Grab / High Striker / Bungee Trampoline / 70ft Assault Course / Helter Skelter / Unclimbable Ladder / Bouncy Castle / BBQ / Live Music / And More!

Book online at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/family-fun-day-2025-tickets-1296655133409

Jean Senior has been practicing as a medical herbalist for over 20 years and has extensive knowledge of both medicinal plants and foraging. We will look at the plants growing locally and learn how to harvest sustainably. You’ll also learn how different preparations can be made including tinctures, flower remedies and ointments.

All children must be accompanied by an adult. Please wear study boots and clothing appropriate for the weather. Paths may be uneven and slippery, so please discuss any mobility concerns at the time of booking so we can do our best to accommodate your needs.

Booking essential WDC Countryside Ranger Events – https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/local-access-wdc-countryside-ranger-events-1217139

2.30-4pm at
Balloch Castle Country Park Tuesday 8th July
The Saltings, Old Kilpatrick Thursday 10th July
Havoc Meadows, Dumbarton West, Tuesday 22 ndJuly

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

A wonderful opportunity to enjoy a good day out in the garden. Being just towards the end of the school holidays, when running out of ideas of things to do, there are plenty of activities for children but also plenty for visitors of all ages! There will be a Trail through the garden searching out our amazing knitted Glorious Gardeners; mini-archery in Robyn Hood Wood; fun with willow weaving demonstrations and a chance to have a go and lots of garden games scattered around the garden.
There is retail therapy in the outdoors too with a variety of local craft products – sewn, felted and knitted goods to soaps, ceramics and glassware to cards and jewellery. Enjoy seeing the goods and chatting with their makers.
No Geilston Garden event is complete without the Cake stall, always a great range of homemade cake and a nice hot or cold drink.
However the star of the day is always the Garden which is looking so good, thanks to the hard work and skill of the gardeners and volunteers.
Normal NTS entry fees apply, free to NTS members. See NTS website for details of entry charges and membership. Once in the garden there will be no further charges for activities.

Please visit the Friends of Geilston website for more information

Helensburgh has been called the ‘Garden City of the Clyde‘, and there are lots of lovely local gardens to visit! Many of these are open through Scotland’s Garden Scheme.

Sunday 11 May 2pm-5pm 18 Duchess Park and Westburn
Sunday 18 May 2pm-5pm Ross Priory, Gartocharn
Sunday 1 June 2pm-5pm Geilston Garden, Cardross (NTS Admission charges apply)
Sunday 17 August 2pm-5pm Glenarn Garden Plant Sale, Helensburgh

Glenarn Garden is open 21 March to 21 September, Dawn to Dusk https://scotlandsgardens.org/glenarn-2/
Linn Botanic Garden is open 18 June – 17 August 2025 (not Monday & Tuesday), 10am – 5pm whilst the gardens undergo restoration – see https://scotlandsgardens.org/linn-botanic-gardens/ for details

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.