Arran's second festival of food and drink, celebrating the islands's unique produce, is now underway.
And visitors and locals are already enjoying the event, which will run until September 24.
This year's festival sees a mix of larger foodie events, festival menus and collaborations by some of Arran’s favourite hospitality providers.
There will also be farm tours, special offers, and a showcase of produce grown on Arran.
The largest event ‘Harvest Fest’ at Bellevue Farm is on the last day of the festival.
The theme of this year's festival is ‘Making Memories’ with a focus on sustainability, community and collaboration, and knowledge.
Events with sustainability at the core showcase innovative uses of food waste, educate on harvesting techniques, or provide an opportunity to learn about sustainable farming and permaculture.
The Arran community and collaboration focus has curated exciting partnerships where unique hospitality and tourism experiences are brought together with food and drink creators, venues and experiences across the local community.
Activities with knowledge at their core revolve around food events and workshops that share food and drink knowledge, showcase exceptional cooking, distilling talent, or enticing our taste buds with food offerings that challenge our ideas by looking at other cultures.
Alastair Dobson, managing director of Taste of Arran – a key sponsor of the festival - said: “Arran has a fantastic food, farming and tourism heritage.
"Our food journey has been long and varied, these events showcase this and will also engage in an educational and exciting way to ensure we encourage and sustain the journey well into the future using the assets of Arran’s creative hard-working people and its reputation as a first-class destination."
A sustainable travel guide for help with travelling to festival events can be found the festival webpage www.arransfoodjourney.com/festival.
This year's festival sponsors are; Stagecoach Buses, North Ayrshire Council, Taste of Arran, Arran Dairies, Scotland Food and Drink, Visit Arran, Ayrshire Food an ‘a’ that and Arran Eco Savvy.
Events not to be missed (and be sure to bring your appetite) include:
An afternoon Arran produce BBQ and Live Music that is sure to set the festival mood on Saturday, September 23.
Old Fashioned Fish Tea at the Fallen Goat – Friday, September 15 and 22.
A Celebration of Lamlash Lamb at The Drift Inn, Local lamb served as a Sunday Roast, Curry or Burger with all the trimmings however you choose to have it on Sunday, September 17.
Cocktails at ‘The Foxes Den’ with the French Fox and Arran Botanical Drinks, Friday, September 22, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24.
Number 16 Arran ‘Island Produce’ Pop up dinners. Number 16 Arran have been delivering sell out pop out events over the last few years – bringing that touch of fine dining to special locations – indulge and relax – Friday, September 22.
Lagg Whisky Sampling Cocktail Making and Food Pairing – Saturday, September 23.
Bellevue Harvest Fest Farmers’ Market – a market day showcasing local producers and suppliers, delicious hot food, a range of local stalls, and a not to be missed Piggy Racing and Welly Throwing with local personalities – Sunday, September 24.
Venues across Arran will be doing menu and cocktail specials throughout the festival including. Mara fish bar and Deli’s celebration of oysters in Corrie, Auchrannie’s pan roasted Bellevue Pork and Glen Rosa Cocktail and Whiting Bay’s The Shore’s daily changing soups made from local vegetables to name a few.
Full programme and booking info: www.arransfoodjourney.com/festival/.
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