Millport is gearing up for a three day festive spectacular this weekend, starting on Friday with a Santa parade and late night shopping event.

The island is hosting a Christmas festival weekend - it starts on Friday 12 December when Santa visits the island. He will be leaving from the Garrison accompanied by Millport Pipe Band at 5.30pm, and will be in his grotto at Mapes Cycle shop till 6pm. To speak to all the children, and there is bound to be a present in his bag for all the boys and girls.

There will be a collecting can there if anyone wishes to donate for the fireworks display at September Weekend.

Millport Pipe Band will continue to play throughout the evening, and shops will be open for late night Christmas shopping and carol singers will entertain, everybody is invited to join in.

The carol singers will be from the church choir, the youth church, and the youth organisations.

On Saturday 13 December, there will be a Christmas fayre in the Garrison from 11am till 4pm, and Bob the Clown will make an appearance with the Millport Pipe Band playing a selection of tunes in the grounds, or the town hall if weather inclement.

A Christmas fun run will take place on Saturday afternoon - everyone should meet at the Garrison at 2pm for a warm-up with Jackie Wilson.

Then the run will start at 2.30pm from the Centopath to the far end of Marine Parade.

The entry fee is £2 for adults and £1 for children, and everyone is invited to dress up as a favourite Christmas character, with a prize for the best costume.

After the fun run at approximately 4pm, a barbecue will be held at pierhead. Cost per head for the barbecue is £2 each.

On Sunday 14 December, the Christmas Fayre will be open in the Garrison, and Hopscotch Productions will perform a panto ‘Sleeping Beauty’ in the DA Hall. Please note there is a slight change of time for this as advertised on posters, it is now a 1.45 for 2pm start.

Cost of panto is £6 for adults, and £4 for kids. There will also be facepainting and free popcorn at Cumbrae Laundry.

All our friends from overseas are welcome to join islanders to celebrate Christmas in Millport.