What's on in Helensburgh and Lomond this month

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September has begun with warm sunshine - and although it is the end of summer Helensburgh and Lomond’s calendar shows no sign of slowing down with a huge variety of events to keep us entertained this month.

A great deal of beer is going to be consumed during the month, with two Oktoberfest events and the Cove and Kilcreggan Real Ale and Cider Festival taking place.

The Cove festival is a vital fund-raiser for running the community-owned Cove Burgh Hall, which will host the event. This is the 20th Festival and doors open at noon with the £10 entry fee including a pint glass and the first beer.

Scottish, Welsh and English ales and ciders will be on offer including local ales from Lomond brewery and No Limits Brewing. The Café at Kilcreggan and Scozzese Wood Fired Pizza will provide the food, and musical entertainment will include Joe Quinn, Robert Ryan and local musicians.

The Cove and Kilcreggan Real Ale Festival returns to Cove Burgh Hall on Saturday, September 23

On the evening of September 23, Helensburgh and District Round Table and Helensburgh Rugby Club are hosting Oktoberfest at the rugby club, raising funds for both organisations. The £25 on the day entry fee includes a stein glass, first beer and a bratwurst sausage.

There will even be an oompah band, Brauhaus Brass, as well as various games to entertain everyone. Lederhosen and dirndls are optional! The event starts at 7pm.

Finally, on September 30, La Jupe is hosting an Oktoberfest at Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre running from 1pm to 8pm. Catering is provided by the Ginger Breadman with beer from Weihenstephaner/Furstenburg.

Lederhosen, dirndls and handlebar moustaches are encouraged and there will be spot prizes. There will be two sittings at 1pm-4pm and 5pm-8pm. Tickets are £20.

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If beer and cider isn’t your thing there is New Zealand wine tasting at The Sugar Boat on September 14.

There are also food festivals on this month a little further afield with the Scottish Wild Food Festival on September 16 and 17 at Balfron Station, and the Argyll Food Festival in Oban on September 23 and 24.

There are two of the popular Street Food Pop Up events at the Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre with Mama Del’s Filipino food on Friday, September 8 and Little Texas BBQ on Friday, September 22. Both events are open from 5pm-9pm for take away or outside seating. If you fancy finding your own food there is a guided foraging walk at Geilston Garden on September 23.

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Other than eating and drinking there are of course lots of other events this month.

The Arrochar 10k takes place on September 16; Christian Aid are holding a sponsored swim at Helensburgh pool on September 14; and on September 15, the Helensburgh Savoy Music Theatre Group are holding a ceilidh with music by Crowded Croft at the Victoria Halls.

SSAFA are hosting a 70s and 80s themed disco at the Commodore on September 30, but there are only a few tickets left so be quick of you want to go.

Also on September 30, Queen Tribute band Magic Queen are playing at the Gibson Hall in Garelochhead. Before that another tribute act, Could It Be Take That, will be playing at Cove Burgh Hall on September 15.

We know the winter is approaching, as both The Arts Society Lomond and Argyll and the Royal Geographical Society start their lecture series at the Victoria Halls. The Arts Society talk, at 10.30am on September 12, is on Alexander Nasmyth 1758-1840, Painter and Polymath, and the RSGS talk, at 7.30pm on September 28, will be given by well-known cyclist Marcus Stitz (below) about the freedom a bike gave him growing up in East Germany.

Markus Stitz will be the guest speaker at the Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s first Helensburgh talk of the 2023-24 season at the Victoria Halls on September 28

All are welcome at both talks and tickets can be purchased on the door.

The Peninsula Choir also starts rehearsals on September 13.

Cowal Open Studios, showcasing the many artists working in Cowal, takes place over the weekend of September 22-25. A programme of art workshops at Hermitage Park starts on September 12, and there is an afternoon tea with music at Helensburgh Parish Church from 2-4pm on September 8, raising funds for Christian Aid.

On Saturday, September 16, Helensburgh Community Hub are hosting an open day from 10am-2pm and Helensburgh’s beach cleaning team will be at the East Bay on the same day from 10-11.30am, and at Helensburgh Pier on Saturday, September 30. Volunteers are welcome.

Also on Saturday, September 16, Arrochar Parish Church will be open to the public as part of the Doors Open Day festival.

If all this isn’t enough to keep us entertained the Market in the Square is on two Saturdays this month, September 9 and 30; Helensburgh and Lomond Artisans are holding a market on September 16 at Helensburgh Parish Church; and on September 17,the Wylde Thistle Artisan Market is at the Civic Centre.

Journalist and author Lesley Riddoch is talking about her new book at Helensburgh Parish Church at 1pm on Sunday, September 24 (free); there is Sunday afternoon music at Ardkinglas Estate on September 17, and comedian Gary Faulds (below) will be at the Victoria Halls on Saturday, September 16.

Comedian Gary Faulds is at the Victoria Halls on September 16

There is also a new comedy night at the Rhu Inn on the last Tuesday of the month, with the first one on September 26, and there is comedy at the Clyde Bar on Friday, September 29.

Please contact event organisers for tickets. Details of all events are on the What’s On page at www.destinationhelensburgh.org.