Blossom Day will kick off Clyde and Avon valley festival
The festival runs through the Clyde and Avon Valley from Saturday, May 6, to Sunday, May 14.
Events include walks, talks, exclusive tours, children’s activities, a songwriting workshop, musical performances, an orchard open day, photography walks, Blossom Day and a landscape and heritage conference.
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Hide AdThe valley, an area of great landscape value, is renowned for its beauty, ancient gorge woodlands, crumbling castles, riverside settlements, and orchards, and events take place the length of it.
The festival is organised by Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership in collaboration with local attractions, organisations and community groups.
These include South Lanarkshire’s countryside rangers, Scottish Badgers, Clyde River Foundation, Clyde Valley Orchards Co-operative, Dalserf Church, Falls of Clyde Heritage Group, Get Walking Lanarkshire, Glasgow’s Ice Cream Architecture, Lanark and District Archaeology Society, Lanarkshire Songwriters, Scottish Natural Heritage and Scottish Wildlife Trust.
The festival kicks off with fun for all the family at the annual Blossom Day at Overton Farm, on Saturday, May 6, from 9am to 1pm.
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Hide AdVisitors will be able to shop for fresh, local produce and crafts at a farmers’ market and craft fair and enjoy a school art competition.
“Blossom Day is the perfect way to start the festival. It signals the arrival of the Clyde Valley blossoms, which is when many people agree that the Clyde and Avon Valley looks its best,” said partnership programme manager Donna Marshall.
“The blossom is also a reminder of the estate owners, monks and fruit growers who have cared for orchards throughout history.”
The festival is now in its third year.
“It’s great to see the festival growing from strength to strength,” said Sarah O’Sullivan, a communications officer for the partnership.
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Hide Ad“From nine events in 2015 to 16 events in 2016 and 37 in 2017, the festival is testament to the growing energy and enthusiasm in this special part of Scotland to celebrate what makes it unique.
“The landscape and heritage conference, showcasing community heritage projects on Saturday, May 13, and the Fruits of their Labours songwriting workshops and concert on Sunday, May 14, are a wonderful way to conclude the festival.”
The festival ties in with Scotland’s year of history, heritage and archaeology, offering chances for the public to get under the skin of all of these aspects in the Clyde and Avon Valley.
Participants are also invited to enter a photo competition which will run for the duration of the festival.
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Hide AdAmong the events aare Kirkfieldbank’s community open day from noon to 3pm, and a guided walk from New Lanark on the origins and significance of the Clyde, both on Sunday, May 7; a guided walk through Corehouse Estate and Corra Castle, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, and a talk on aviation archaeology by Lanark and District Archaeology Society, from 7.30pm to 9pm, both on May 8; and an Apple Day primary schools concert at Kirkfieldbank Hall at 1.30pm on Wednesday, May 10.
The full programme for the festival is:
Saturday 6 May
Blossom Day, Overton Farm, Carluke, 9am – 1pm. No booking required
Salmon Homecoming Celebration - Smithycroft, 11am – 1pm. No booking required
Dalserf Church Open Day, Dalserf, 12 noon – 4pm. No booking required
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Hide AdBotanical Wander on the Monkey Road, Larkhall, 2 – 4pm. Book at [email protected] / 01355 276 885
Sunday 7 May
Make Your Way Photography Walk, Glassford, 10:30am – 12:30pm. Book at [email protected]
Hamilton Mausoleum Tour, Hamilton, 12 noon – 1pm. Book at [email protected] / 01698 452382. Please note there is a £3.50 charge for adults and £2 for concessions
Kirkfieldbank Community Open Day, Kirkfieldbank, 12 noon – 3pm. No booking required
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Hide AdMake Your Way Photography Walk, Stonehouse, 2 - 4pm. Book at [email protected]
The Origins and Significance of the Clyde Guided Walk, New Lanark, 2 – 5pm. Book at [email protected] / 01555 662 034
Monday 8 May
Roots, Routes and Walking Boots: #MakeYourWay, Larkhall, 6 - 7:30pm. Book at [email protected]
Corehouse Estate and Corra Castle Guided Walk, Lanark, 6:30 – 8:30pm. Book at [email protected]
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Hide AdAviation Archaeology in Clydesdale, Lanark and District Archaeology Society, Lanark, 7:30 – 9pm. No booking required. Please note this event is £3 for non-members
Tuesday 9 May
Get Walking Lanarkshire: Chatelherault Health Walk, 10:30 – 11:30am. Book at [email protected] / 01698 402 077
Get Walking Lanarkshire: Greenhead Moss Health Walk, Wishaw, 10:30 – 11:30am. Book at [email protected] / 01698 402 077
Roots, Routes and Walking Boots: #MakeYourWay, Lanark, 6 - 7:30pm. Book at [email protected]
Wednesday 10 May
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Hide AdApple Day Primary Schools Concert, Kirkfieldbank Village Hall, 1:30 – 2:30pm. No booking required
Get Walking Lanarkshire: Stonehouse Health Walk, Stonehouse, 10:30 – 11:30am. Book at [email protected] / 01698 402 077
Make Your Way Photography Walk, Larkhall, 6 – 10pm. Book at [email protected]
Historical Mills Guided Walk, The Falls of Clyde, New Lanark, 6:30 – 8:30pm. Book at [email protected]
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Hide AdCastles, Craigs and Creatures Guided Walk, Cartland Craigs, Lanark, 7:30 – 9:30. Book at 01698 421 668
The Lost Kingdom of Cadzow Guided Walk, Chatelherault Country Park, 7 – 9:30pm. Book at [email protected]
Thursday 11 May
Roots, Routes and Walking Boots: #MakeYourWay, Carluke, 7:30 – 9:30pm. Book at [email protected]
Cleghorn Glen Dusk Wildlife Walk, Lanark, 8 – 10pm. Book at 01698 421 668
Friday 12 May
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Hide AdGet Walking Lanarkshire: Hamilton Health Walk, 10:30 – 11:30am. Book at [email protected] / 01698 402 077
Cadzow Uncovered – Site Clearance, Chatelherault Country Park, 11am – 3pm. Book at [email protected]
Family Badger Watch, The Falls of Clyde, New Lanark, 6:30 – 9:30pm. Book at [email protected]
Saturday 13 May
Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape and Heritage Conference, New Lanark World Heritage Site, 10am – 6pm. Book at www.cavlp.eventbrite.co.uk
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Hide AdNature Ninjas Spotting Workshop, Chatelherault Country Park, 10am – 12:30pm. Book at [email protected] / 07565 813 401
Beasties at Braidwood Bug Hunt, Braidwood Pond, 10:30am – 12 noon. Book at [email protected]
Salmon Homecoming Celebration - Millheugh, 11am – 1pm. No booking required
Dalserf Church Saturday Teas, 12 noon – 4pm. No booking required
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Hide AdOur Hidden Jewel in Dazell Estate Guided Walk, Motherwell, 1:30 – 3:30pm. Book at 01698 402 090
Sunday 14 May
Make Your Way Photography Walk, Lanark, 10:30am – 12:30pm. Book at [email protected]
Roots, Routes and Walking Boots: #MakeYourWay, Stonehouse, 11am - 1pm. Book at [email protected]
Songwriting Worshop, Crossford Inn, 1 – 5pm. Book at [email protected] / 01698 359 326 / 07889 727 254
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Hide AdMake Your Way Photography Walk, Carluke, 2 - 4pm. Book at [email protected]
Roots, Routes and Walking Boots: #MakeYourWay, Glassford, 3 - 5pm. Book at [email protected]
Fruits of Their Labours Lanarkshire Songwriters Concert, Venue TBC
Find out more at www.clydeandavonvalley.org/festival and view the video from last year’s Festival on the link below.