THERE was music as well as sunshine in the air at Geilston Garden last weekend as a Helensburgh choir put on its first performance since before the pandemic.

The ladies of the a capella Tartan Harmony group visited the popular Cardross attraction on Sunday, August 1 to sing for members of the public at the monthly afternoon fund-raiser organised by the Friends of Geilston.

And – attracted in part by the music, in part by the Friends’ teas, coffees and home baking, and in part also by the warm sunshine, plenty of members of the public came along to enjoy the occasion.

Adrienne Kerr from Tartan Harmony told the Advertiser: “It was just wonderful to be able to sing together again – we’ve really missed it throughout the lockdown. Zoom isn’t the same.

“People really seemed to enjoy our performance – just stopping while wandering around the garden to listen to us sing. We look so happy when we’re singing and everyone loves to hear live music again.”

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Alana Ingram from the Friends of Geilston said: “It was a great day at Geilston on Sunday. It was a joy to see so many of our regular visitors and also many for whom it was their first visit enjoying the Garden.

“The coffee and cake stall did a roaring trade – many thanks to our wonderful team of bakers.

“Tartan Harmony, singing on the lawn at the front of Geilston House, enhanced the atmosphere and were much appreciated by an attentive audience.

“The weather played its part and the star of the day was, as ever, the garden, which was looking wonderful and is a credit to the gardening team.”

The Friends’ next Sunday fund-raiser at Geilston will be held on September 5 – while Tartan Harmony are now rehearsing for their slot at the ‘Summer in the Square’ music festival, featuring local vocal and instrumental artists. being held in Colquhoun Square on August 28 in conjunction with the regular food and craft market.