A Skelmorlie man who has sent spirits flying around the world with his 90 feet kites is coming to Millport.

High flyer, Andrew Beattie has found his dream job flying giant kites all around the world at events.

With his largest kites taking shape as a 90-foot crocodile and gecko he has been asked to attend events in India, China, Florida and now Millport on September 22.

He said: “My jobs is to make people happy and that’s what makes it the best job in the world.”

“It’s basically just a hobby that got way out of control.”

Flying kites since he was a child, as a young adult he seen people flying giant kites and became inspired to invest his own time and money in to the hobby.

After getting involved in online kiting communities, five years ago he left his career in technical sales to fly kites full time and is now in high demand across the globe.

He added: “My diary is exceedingly full, even before I start the new year, because people tend to ask me back for the same event the next year.

“Many of my events are ‘season extenders’ in locations with a tourism industry which usually have defined seasons.

“If they can use a kite event to extend that season, then that’s worth money to the local economy.

“Fortunately for me, that optimum week is at different times in different locations, so I have work from early spring to Autumn in Europe.

“Then the season in the Middle East, China and India is during the time when Europeans would rather be indoors, so it’s ideal.”

With international craftsmanship going in to making the kites, Andrew gets his line from Iceland.

Travelling all over the world it takes Andrew a luggage case of 23kg to get two of the big kites overseas.

Bringing his kites to Millport for the September weekend, it is hoped the weather will co operate for the event to go ahead.

Suki McGregor is the one pulling the strings to get Andrew involved, after she seen the kites in all their glory at an event in Largs a few years ago.

She said: “The kites was an idea I had earlier this year and had got in contact with Andrew to meet up.

“Andrew and I met in Largs and then took a trip over to look at a possible site in Millport for a display, Kames Bay seemed the best option.

“As the kites can’t be flown over water or roads I have been sending Andrew photos of the beach at different tide heights.

“I then approached Millport Festival Association to contribute to funding and also to Isle of Cumbrae Tourist Association, CalMac Ferries have all contributed by covering ferry fares.

“Now all we need is good weather.

“The displays will be three stacks maximum with three or four kites on each stack and all will be highly visible from the centre of town, its just a shame they cant be seen from Largs too.

“I would hope if this was successful this year we might have a kite festival on its own weekend next year, we just need the weather.”