Fun in the sun at Tarbert Seafood Festival

Food demonstrations, which ran throughout the day, kicked off in the morning with Mike Leslie from the Coachman in Kilsyth and local chef Ross Payne showing just what they could do with the catch donated to the festival from local fishermen.

From fish to shellfish they showed the audience how to get the best out of every dish.

And then they got to the best bit, the taste test. By this time it was difficult to hear the chef’s voices over the rumbling of tummies so there was not time to waste!

The smell of seafood was also in air as local restaurants prepared and cooked seafood to order on the harbourside. From kippers to scallops every taste was catered for.

And then it was time for the tradition to play its part with the crowning of the Seafood Queen. Each year Tarbert’s businesses vote for their choice of festival queen.

This year Jessica Wilkieson was given the honour. She was joined by her princesses, Lua MacLennan and Carys Graham who were chosen at the Princess Disco in May.

The royal family were brought across the harbour by boat before being driven to the stage for the crowning ceremony.

Councillor Dougie McFadzean officially opened the festival before inviting the 2023 festival queen Kayleigh Hawthorn to crown Jessica.

And then it was time for the legendary festival parade.

Led by Tarbert’s fire service crew the parade included the queen and her princesses, all the street entertainers taking part in the day, Tarbert’s majorettes, Mid Argyll Pipe Band and villagers who had dressed up in this year’s festival theme of children’s books.

From Alice in Wonderland to Jeck and the Beanstalk (a Tarbert twist on a classic book), this was a parade which united the whole community.

And now it was time to party. Street entertainers included an escapologist and some circus entertainers.

Younger festival goers were wowed by their skills and then joined in.

For adults, the Ready, Steady, Cook competition down at the quay saw local chefs think on their feet by creating delicious dishes from unseen items. All, of course, contained Tarbert seafood.

Back in the village entertainer T J Mac made sure the music didn’t stop between acts, which included James McCorkindale’s Highland dancers from Campbeltown and a set from Mid Argyll Pipe Band.

Of course, Tarbert Seafood Festival is a two-day event with Sunday dedicated to Beer on the Pier. Once again the weather was kind to the crowd and performers

Local band The Democrats were first on stage to get the crowd back on their feet and exercise their singing voices for the first time.

Then it was time for pink wigs as festival favourites Feeva took to the stage.

Feeva has performed at the festival for a number of years and has become a mainstay of Sunday afternoon’s entertainment. And as ever they didn’t disappoint, making sure the crowd’s energy level was high.

The festival also likes to welcome new talent, and this year was the introduction to young local band After You.

The formal part of Sunday’s entertainment included the prizegiving ceremony, including the children’s colouring competition hosted by the Loch Fyne Gallery and the Shop Window Competition.

Shops and businesses across the village have decorated their windows in keeping with this year’s theme Children’s Books.

The winner was Kintyre Electrical for their Alice in Wonderland themed window.

The best dressed in parade was awarded to Jeck and the Beanstalk.

Argyll and Bute Council Provost Dougie Philand was on hand to make the presentations and in his speech he thanked everyone who had worked so hard to make the festival such a success.

Then it was back to the music with festival first timers Could It Be Take That, Scotland’s premier Take That tribute band stepped forward to belt out hit after hit from one of the world’s best-known bands.

How do we know they’re Scotland’s premier Take That tribute band? Watching them doing the Slosh to Everything Changes But You of course!

With more The Democrats it was time for to draw the 2024 Tarbert Seafood Festival to a close – but it will be back from July 5-6 2025.