Yee-hah ... 21 years young, and believed to be the longest running event of its kind in Scotland, the Country and Western Festival is back for a rooting-tooting time in Millport.

There is a new bonanza of activities at this year’s revamped Country and Western Festival as big efforts are being made to give it a more family friendly focus.

So Wyatt Earps and Doc Hollidays can saddle up and enjoy some fun new activities this year - while enjoying a rip-roaring weekend of great country music and dance featuring some of Scotland’s finest bands.

There are lots of fun-filled activities for children, and most of these events will be taking place in and around the Garrison House area.

The Millport Country and Western Festival began way back in 1995 and has gone from strength to strength every year. No matter your taste in country music, they have it!

The island is turned into Nashville, Tennessee, for the weekend with stars and stripes flying, and this year, it is a celebration of Americana with 50s and 60s jive music classes, Elvis Presley and much more besides.

Please note that although there are many free events throughout the weekend, some venues do require individuals to have an entry wristband.

The top acts include Shiverin’ Sheiks, a bombastic 50s pop group, covering a wide range such as country Gospel, dancefloor, rock n’ roll and ‘Doo Wop’. They describe themselves as desert wandering princes!

The Smoking Gunns are a country music duo/trio providing both vintage and current country music to suit all. The main music venues are Cactus Jack’s (Town Hall), Buffalo Bill’s (Newton Bar), Last Chance Saloon (Tavern Bar), Tombstone Saloon (Kelburne Bar) and Crazy Horse Tepee (the Garrison marquee) - bands performing include Ellis Country, Brodie, Smokin’ Gunns, Still Water, Donna Wylde, and Steve Hanks. There is a line dancing workshop with Diane Dawson from 12-1.30pm at the Town Hall on Saturday and Sunday. Live music starts on Friday night from 7pm and carries on throughout the weekend.

This year, the Country and Western Festival is aiming high, with a broader range of music, including the drumming band Samba Ya Bamba, a hot dog eating contest, and street entertainment from Mischief La Bas who provide comedy characters who interact with the public, and have performed at festivals and events throughout the UK. One of their routines include Elvis Presley cleaners - complete with Prescilla!

Samba Ya Bamba will be performing on Saturday at the Garrison West Lodge at 11am, and oppposite the Tavern Bar at 12.30pm.

Lasso lessons take plac at the east side of the Garrison from 11.30-12.30 on Saturday. Western riding and a wild west show takes place at the Newton Beach. followed by a fast-draw shoot-out outside the marquee.

Rock ’til U Drop is another new addition - a rock’n’roll jive demonstration and workshop - celebrating big band swing music, 50s and 60s music, and anything else that rocks! It all takes place at the DA Hall on Sunday afternoon, starting at 2.30pm.

Don’t miss the Grand Parade through town at 2pm on Saturday, followed later in the day by the hot dog eating contest at 4.30pm at the Garrison!

There will be plenty of children’s activities including face painting, while some Wild West classics including Western Riding, lasso lessons, and the Bucking bronco will all provide a buzzing (and bouncing!) atmosphere.

The festival committee have been working closely with Cumbrae Community Development Company to provide the fun activities for the family in and around the Garrison area.

Please note that the last CalMac sailing to Largs on Saturday is 8.30pm.

Festival spokeswoman Angela Giorgetti said: “This is going to be the 21st birthday of the festival - it is a big birthday so we are pushing the boat out - and we believe it is now the longest running country and western festival in Scotland. We are definitely looking at having much more of a family focus this year, and there is much more for children to do with lots of activities, based around the Garrison site. See y’all on Nashville, Millport, for a celebration of everything to do with the wild west. Yee-hah!”