AN ARGYLL and Bute walking festival has successfully returned from a four-year hiatus.

Cowalfest took place over five days for a series of walks, talks and other events.

The festival kicked off on Thursday with a climb up An Creachan and a geology walk along the Innellan shoreline, led by Dr Keith Torrance.

Andy Armstrong, Cowalfest chair, said: “I’d like to place on record my thanks to everyone who took part as well as the knowledgeable walk guides, partners such as the Castle House Museum, Bothy Project, Forestry and Land Scotland, Historic Kilmun and Sunbeams Nursery in Innellan.

“Thanks also to the many generous local businesses who donated prizes for our ceilidh raffle.

"The ceilidh, held at Innellan Village Hall really did go with a swing with Canned Haggis guiding us through a range of traditional Scottish dances. 

"It’s fair to say that Cowalfest is back on the map as one of Scotland’s biggest walking festivals and we’ll be looking to build on this year’s successes in 2025.”

Feedback from participants demonstrated that the most popular part of the event was The Holy Loch Nature Reserve Walk, led by Dr Neil Hammatt and used to teach about the resilience of nature.

The event made a comeback after four years with many walkers from across Cowal and further afield taking advantage of the range of scheduled hikes.

There were also two talks held at Castle House Museum, alongside an event held by the Forest School.