Excitement is growing for the second Millport Country Music festival which is headlined by one of TV's most recognisable faces in Shane Ritchie, and looks set to be the biggest event of its kind ever seen on the island.
After the success of last year's spectacular, this year's extravaganza has a new home and will be primarily based within the grounds of the Garrison building itself in a much more central and convenient location.
And once more it has attracted the cream of the country music industry and the UK and across the Atlantic.
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Boasting a total of 50 top class artists from across Scotland, the rest of the UK, Ireland and the US, there is a total of four music stages to choose from at the heart of Millport over Friday 7, Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 September.
The main stage is the Nashfield Concert Venue - the big open air stage. Nashfield is located towards the rear of the grounds of Garrison House. This year this stage is included in your festival ticket, no upgrade required.
The Cactus Jack Marquee stage is located towards the western entrance of the Garrison House and will be hosting over 15 artists throughout the weekend. Limited seating is available in this venue on a first come first serve basis.
A new addition to Millport Country Music Festival is the Maverick Acoustic Venue for this year. It is the singer /songwriter acoustic venue by Maverick Magazine and featuring a huge selection of talented artists and also includes the first ever “Emerging talent showcase."
The Wounded Knee line dancing action venue is another new addition to Millport Country Music Festival for this year based on customer feedback.
And the DA Hall is the specific venue for line-dancing, hosting a variety of live-music, discos and workshops for all levels.
Co-ordinator Gavin Chittick was proud of last year's success and believes this year's three day festival will be the tops.
He said: "We can proudly say that it is Scotland’s biggest independent country music festival, and once again taking over the beautiful seaside town of Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae.
"With four live music stages, with 50 artists from Scotland, the rest of the UK, Ireland, Sweden and the US, the grand parade, families day and more; #MCMF2018 is the place to be on 7-9th September for country music fans in the Scotland.
"We are delighted to announce that CalMac will be providing an extended ferry service over the weekend with late ferries."
There really is something for everyone with a vast range of exciting acts with some major new talent as well as some of the most experienced in the industry - it is exciting times and all available within easy reach. Organisers ask for all visitors to arrive early in the day to enjoy everything that Millport has to offer, and try and avoid the peak busy times between 11am-2pm.
One of the big draws of this year's festival is Shane Ritchie. The EastEnders star has released the album “A Country Soul” at the end of 2017.
A self-admitting life long country music obsessive, Shane is a big fan of artists like Darius Rucker and Florida Georgia Line.
Shane has even filmed a preview video for the festival, and said: "I can't wait to get to Millport - I am really excited about, and it is going to be some show!"
Look out for some outstanding new talent with the likes of Katy Hurt who was recently described by BBC Radio 2's Paul Sexton as "One of the most exciting prospects on the burgeoning country scene, a vivacious and magnetic performer... Check her out whilst you can still sit on the front row".
You will be able to see Katy on the Nation Scotland Cactus Jack's stage at 6.30pm on Saturday.
And Ashley Campbell boasts a triple talent as a Songwriter, singer, and banjo player. Ashley juggles all three roles, armed with the ability not only to dream up a modern country song, but to deliver it, too.
The multi-talented Ashley will take to the Nashfield Concert stage on Saturday.
5 time BCMA British Country Music Association award winner and UK Male Vocalist of the Year, Northern Irishman Gary Quinn, makes a welcome return to Millport on Friday evening to get the festival off with a bang.
Other highlights include DJ Hish - he has already played to packed crowds at C2C Country to Country in London this year during after parties with the likes of Brett Young, Lukas Nelson and Walker Hayes, and at the end of April at Stagecoach Festival in California to more than 90,000 country music fans.
The Wandering Hearts came out of nowhere after being discovered and lead to a record deal within 30 minutes of uploading their demo online and provide gobsmacking alternative country and folk harmonies.
Hish will be hosting the Nashfield Concert Stage on the Saturday and Sunday, as well as closing out the festival this year with one of his Nashville party sets on the Sunday night in Nation Scotland's Catcus Jack's venue.
And Glasgow band Ashton Lane are making a much anticipated return to the festival too, making the festival truly international and Scottish to the core at the very same time. Yee hah!
The artists performing are: Friday 7 September - Jess and the Bandits, Ashton Lane, Gary Quinn, The Remedy Club, Katee Kross & The Amberjax, Orfila, Stillwater and Rodeo Stomp
Saturday 8 September - Jesse Dayton, Ashley Campbell, Robert Vincent, Jarrod Dickenson, Raintown, Liv Austen, Jerry Harmon, The Rising, Kevin McGuire, Steve Young UK, Two Ways Home, Katy Hurt, Red Pine Timber Co., East Lonesome Drifters, Jim McLean, Johnny Lee Memphis as Elvis, Fredrik Lundman as Johnny Cash, Katee Kross, Kid Millport, James N Wood, Stateline, Rodeo Stomp
Sunday 9 September Shane Richie, The Wandering Hearts, Jawbone, HISH, American Young, Chloe Chadwick, Kerry Fearon, Jerry Harmon, The Logans, Katy Ellis as Taylor Swift, Carson City and Rodeo Stomp.
Gavin added: "Get there as early as they can and take in the atmosphere. Each day the music start at around 1pm. The ferries are running every 15 minutes, and there will be a third ferry on the weekend to help cope with the flow.
"And all people at the slipway by 9.30pm will be guaranteed to be taken back to the mainland on Saturday and Sunday.
"On Sunday, it is a special families day. There will also be a free funfair, bouncy castle and line dancing for kids.
"And in the venues, look out for the Taylor Swift tribute showcase which is the best in the UK. All children under 14 are free as long as they are accompanied by an adult with a ticket (2 children per adult)
"The traditional element of the festival which is now into its 24th year will also be running including the parade, bucking bronco and all the usual entertainment and street vendors.
"It promises to be a fantastic weekend!"
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