Go Girvan

03/06/2026

The countdown is ON for the Girvan Tattie Fest on Saturday 13th June 2026 🥔🎉

Mark your calendars and spread the word for this fantastic town-wide celebration of our world-famous local Ayrshire Epicure potato!

Rain or shine, we have two marquees packed with stalls and family fun!😃

02/06/2026

This weekend! Make sure you pop along to enjoy the fun!

SAVE THE DATE 📆

The 43rd Carrick Lowland Gathering returns on Sunday 7 June. Get yourself down to Victory Park, Girvan from 11am-4pm for a fantastic day out!

From highland dancing and pipe band competitions to fairground rides, tasty food and the popular Saughhill Race, there's something for everyone to enjoy 🎪🏅🍔🍦

Find out more at: https://girvanattractions.co.uk/

Photo credit – Girvan & District Attractions

29/05/2026

Girvan Arts Festival 2026

Donna McLean: Small Town Girl

Love Lies and the Undercover Police

Girvan Community Garden

31st May, 12:30pm

For two years, Donna McLean lived a seemingly idyllic life with her fiancé, Carlo. But her great love story wasn’t just built on lies – it was one. Because Carlo wasn’t a bike-obsessed Italian locksmith at all; he was a British police officer, part of a unit that had worked undercover for years to infiltrate activist groups across the country. More than twenty of those officers deliberately targeted women and duped them into relationships, posing as socialists, environmental campaigners and union reps, before vanishing without a trace.

Small Town Girl is Donna’s shattering story of a life turned upside down overnight, and her reclamation of a truth that was shamelessly buried by those who should be protecting the most vulnerable in society.

Donna will be telling her story at this year's Girvan Arts Festival, and explaining why she wants the truth to be told.

Destination South Ayrshire

29/05/2026

Festival Film - Ballantrae Smugglers Story.

Girvan Library

Friday 29th May, 7:30 pm

We're thrilled to have a locally made film for this year's festival, the second film from this team, commissioned by Andy McAlpine of the Ballantrae History Group, and produced and directed by Craig Bradshaw and Roger Hunter of Epic Sky Media

Ballantrae Smugglers Story is based on the books by Frances Wilson, and she narrates the film. This will be its premiere!

Craig and Roger will be at the event to answer any questions about the making of the film, and Andy McCalpine will describe how the Ballantrae Smuggling Festival is making a return this year, the first since CoVid.

Please phone Girvan Library on 01465712813 to book a spot.

https://girvanartsfestival.com/gaf-2026-festival-film-ballantraes-smuggling-story/

South Ayrshire Libraries

29/05/2026

The Festival Fringe is happening again this year!

CRAG Community Arts are putting on a series of events coinciding with the festival - take a look at their website https://cragcommunityarts.org/ or the page.

Carraig Creatives are having their launch event this weekend as part of the arts festival. Their aim is to highlight the work of creative people in Carrick, and act as a shop window for their work. The event is in Wilson's Mini Mart. https://carraigcreatives.com/

And last but not least, Winifred Wright, at the Wave Gallery in Knockushan Street, will be hosting an open discussion about the Girvan Millenium Quilt, which is having its 25th Birthday, at 10am o Sunday. The Wave will be open all week, but do pop in for a chat on Sunday, and find out what has changed since the quilt, representing a snapshot of Girvan in 2000, was made.

https://girvanartsfestival.com/gaf-2026-fringe/

29/05/2026

Besides all the events going on in the Girvan Community Garden at the Festival, there's a lot more besides. Megan McNally will be around to help all ages flex their creative muscles with her arts and craft table.

And in between events, why not chill out and listen to some of our talented local musicians performing a great mix of tunes. The ages of our 'buskers' very from mid teens to a ninety year old!

Here are the musicians and when they are playing:

10:45 - 11:00 Girvan Academy Pupils (Piano)
12:00- 12:30 Girvan Academy (Guitar)
1:30 - 2:00 Mark McCleary
3:00 - 3:30 Theo Whiteside
4:30 - 5:00 Scott Wilson

Sunday
10:30 - 11:00
12:00- 12:30 Jennifer, John & Alan
1:30 - 2:00 Angus Mechen
3:00 - 3:30 John McKenna, Jennifer & John

And don't forget the wonderful garden café - Hearty soups and stews, cakes, coffees and teas, and on the Saturday only, it is licenced. Nothing nicer than sitting in the garden with a glass of wine or a cold beer!

https://girvanartsfestival.com/gaf-2026-arts-crafts-music/

29/05/2026

John Linck retired to Girvan a few years ago, or so he thought. A call from his past changed all that. When he'd packed in being a roadie for the likes of David Bowie and the Welsh National Opera for a steadier life as a teacher, he would never have guessed that he would find himself back working in the music industry in his sixties as quartermaster for one of the stages at Glastonbury, one of the largest rock festival in the world.

In between, his story takes him from living on a boat he built himself, to living in Spain until his move to Girvan, and it is fascinating to listen to.

There are only a few tickets left, so be quick...

https://girvanartsfestival.com/gaf-2026-john-linck/

29/05/2026

Winnifred Wright will be hosting a chat about Girvan's Millenium quilt and its 25 birthday at the Wave in Knockushan Street on Sunday morning at 10.

The Quilt was a snapshot of Girvan in 2000, with each square being made by an individual or for an organisation, and it will be interesting to see the changes that have happened in the last 25 years.

It's a free event, and even if you can't make it, the quilt can be viewed at the gallery over the whole weekend, and I'm sure Winnifred will be delighted to answer questions about it.

https://girvanartsfestival.com/gaf-2026-winnifred-wright/

29/05/2026

29/05/2026

* PRIZE DRAW *

John McKenna Sculptor has kindly donated a limited edition print of 'The Cow that met the Queen' to raise money for Community Action Network (CAN). You can enter at any time at the Girvan Arts Festival Weekend.

The Cow (or a part of it at least) is on show at the art exhibition in the McKechnie.