Kilmelford Summer Festival returns after 25-year hiatus

Originally founded 40 years ago, Kilmelford’s annual summer festival was a big hit during the 80s and 90s, but it was not carried into the 21st century. 

At the start of this year, a group of six villagers and numerous local volunteers decided it was time to resurrect it and keep the community thriving, as it has been increasingly of late.

Organisers remembered the festival fondly from their childhoods and wanted to infuse that nostalgia with some modern elements. 

To keep the community spirit thriving the festival, which took place on Sunday August 18, was free to enter and anyone could take part in the activities. 

Attractions included 31 classes of baking, produce and flowers, a dog competition, heavy weights and tossing the caber, Argyll Hog Roast, Kames Fish Farm bar, tug of war, and Kilmelford’s popular egg throwing competition.

The modern spin included laser clay shooting, four different inflatable courses, including a bungee run and gladiator ring, pony rides, and sprints and hill race for children and adults.

Despite the awful weather of late, the festival benefited from a relatively dry spell, except for the Shetland ponies, who were caught by the tide and forced to swim to shore. 

Lifelong Kilmelford resident Roanne Clark was part of the team of organisers keen to see the festival return. 

She said: "I used to attend the festival years ago, it was always a really good community event to look forward to. My husband’s dad actually helped organise it back then. 

"It brought back lovely memories about going up to the festival as a kid and meeting up with your friends. 

"Because we didn’t really advertise, everyone there had a connection to Kilmelford. It was a fabulous, proper community event." 

Carraig Gheal Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund funded the festival, supported by resources from Kames Fish Farm and Melfort Village.

Thanks to the incredible success of the revival, the event will be back next August and every year for the foreseeable future.