Millport will dazzle this weekend as plays host to its first Festival of Light.

The two day Millport Festival of Light (Friday 23 and Saturday 24 September) aims to celebrate two historic buildings on the island as part of Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design: Garrison House, built to house revenue agents tackling smugglers on the Clyde, and The Cathedral of the Isles, Britain’s smallest cathedral, with a nave that seats just eighty people.

The festival will see both buildings lit to dramatic effect, with a sound and light show projected onto the walls of Garrison House. Spectators can also follow a “heritage light trail” of installations created by local artists and volunteers, and enjoy the island’s traditional fireworks display and bonfire-in-the-bay.

Organiser Gill Miller said: “Both Garrison House and The Cathedral of the Isles are beautiful buildings with significant architectural merit, the latter being designed by the renowned Gothic Revival architect William Butterfield. It’s fantastic to be able to shine a literal light on them so that locals and visitors alike can learn more about their fascinating history.

“The light installations that we have created were a great chance for adults and kids alike to get involved and be creative. What they have come up with is really fun - we have a ghost walk in the Cathedral grounds, a field of LED flowers created out of recycled materials, and even a pond of neon ducks.”

Annique Armstrong, VisitScotland Regional Director for Ayrshire and Arran said: “The 2016 Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design gives us an opportunity to put Scotland on the map in a new and exciting way, catching the attention of visitors old and new, positioning Scotland as a mix of traditional and cutting-edge at the same time.”

“We are delighted to be supporting the first Festival of Light as part of Scotland’s themed year celebrations.

People often come to Scotland for the history but also leave inspired by the modern and contemporary – both of which are being showcased through a fantastic programme of event activity, designed to appeal to both the Cumbrae community and visitors to the area.”

Millport Festival of Light will kick off with the illumination of The Cathedral of the Isles on the evening of Friday 23 September, with all other attractions taking place from 8pm on Saturday 24 September. The event is free to attend thanks to the support of Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design. For more information please visit www.facebook.com/MillportFestivalOfLight

* The event takes place on the same weekend as the traditional Millport Illuminations event which has been running for many years. On the main night of Saturday 24th, shops, houses and businesses took part in lighting up their premises. There will also be lots of streets entertainment, a fireworks display, and a family ceilidh in the DA Hall.

There are lots of events taking place for children during the weekend including the ever popular sand sculpture competition on Newton Sands on Saturday morning.

In the afternoon, there is a kids fancy dress competition and disco, and a best dressed bicycle competition. Other events include a photography competition, and for children, a story competition, and trampolining.

On Sunday 25th, there will be a crabbing competition, and the special event is The 'Mini Millport's Got Talent' competition in the DA Hall. Entry forms for the talent show will be available in Marina's on Saturday morning. For more details, go to the Millport Notes, or Millport.org

*  Caledonian MacBrayne are pleased to offer the following support for Saturday 24th September – Extra sailings at 21.00, 21.30 22.00 or as near as possible. These sailings are for foot passengers only no vehicles will be allowed on these ferries. ALL tickets must be purchased in advance from the Calmac ticket office at Largs slip