HELENSBURGH residents are being offered the change to take the "VIP route" to a popular Highland Games event this weekend - by being part of a special 'doon the watter' cruise.

Boat Trips Helensburgh are inviting locals to join them on a sail down the Clyde to Rothesay for the Bute Highland Games on Saturday, August 12 - but space on board is strictly limited.

The boat will leave from Rhu Marina at 9am and will call at Kip Marina in Inverkip at 10.30am, arriving in Rothesay at 11.10am - in plenty of time for the opening ceremony at 12 noon, to be performed by the 2023 Chieftain, traditional musician, BBC radio presenter and Camanachd Cup winning shinty player Gary Innes.

After the event, the trip home will leave Rothesay at 6.20pm, calling at Kip Marina at 7pm and arriving back at Rhu Marina for 8.30pm.

Spaces are limited to only 12 passengers - with the lucky few being treated to tea, coffee, and tablet on their trip.

A spokesperson for the company said: “Boat Trips Helensburgh run fabulous trips on the Clyde from Rhu Marina on their boat Jola Too, with outdoor and warm indoor seating for all 12 passengers, a toilet, and complementary tea, coffee and local Helensburgh tablet.

“They are doing a special day trip to the Bute Highland Games departing from Rhu Marina, Helensburgh with a pick-up at Kip Marina, Inverkip.

“The short walk from Rothesay Harbour (where we will drop you off) to the event stadium gets you in the mood for the games.

“Take the VIP route on our boat.

“We will get you there in time for the opening ceremony at 12 noon and head back after the closing parade.”

Events at the Games include wrestling, a 10K road race, Highland dancing, pipe band competitions, the ever-popular heavy athletics events, and junior shinty.

The modern iteration of the Bute Games began in 1947 thanks to Bute Shinty and the Amateur Athletic Sports Club.

Adult tickets for Saturday's trip cost £49 from Rhu and £25 from Inverkip, while child tickets cost £24 from Rhu and £12 from Inverkip.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.boattripshb.com/trips/boat-trips-to-book-now.

Tickets for the Bute Highland Games are available at www.butehighlandgames.org/2023-tickets.