CUMBRAE is throwing its hat in the ring to host the launch of an ambitious project promoting the west coast islands next year.

With 2020 set to be Scotland's Year of Coasts and Waters, six ambitious projects have been developed to celebrate the event.

A steering group have plans for an official baton to make its way around all of the islands and Cumbrae is hoping to be chosen as the place where it will begin its journey.

The baton's route will link all of the islands together as it makes its way across the west coast over 20 weeks from May to September.

Cumbrae Community Council say the island has already signed up to be part of the campaign - and hopes to play a leading role.

Chair Crawfurd Gillan, pictured, said: "We have made the suggestion that we could be the place for the baton's journey to begin.

"I think it would be nice to be the first ones to have it and with it happening in May we could marry it up with the events we already have on the island at that time.

"It would be great if we could tie it in with the Classic Car Rally and the Cumbrae Queen festival to make it a really spectacular event. It would get people excited about the year of coasts and waters.

"It would be great to see the Cumbrae Queen launch the event and carry the baton in as she drives through in her classic car.

"Hopefully we will be able to secure this."

The project has been developed by The West Coast Marine Tourism Collaboration, which came together as the steering group in 2017.

Five others have been identified by the group for the 20 islands and aims to encourage more people to engage with marine tourism in and out of the water.

The 18 destination marketing organisations from across the west coast have now all contributed funding to the campaign, which has also secured a £40k Growth Fund grant from Visitscotland.

Cumbrae will also take part in a digital project which will aim to bring to life 20 stories about the 20 island destinations in the west coast and encourage people to immerse themselves in the islands' rich cultural heritage.