GLASSES were raised and toasts made aplenty at the weekend as the Helensburgh and Lomond Beer and Gin Festival made its eagerly-anticipated return to the town’s events calendar.

Cancelled, like almost every other local event, for the last two years because of Covid, any worries the organisers may have had that interest might have dwindled in the festival’s absence were swiftly dispelled as crowds rocked up to the Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre on Friday night, and again throughout the day on Saturday, to sample the huge range of gin, rum, Prosecco, cider and of course craft beer supplied by brewers and distillers from across the UK.

A spokesperson for the Helensburgh and District Round Table, the festival’s organisers, said on social media afterwards: “The Helensburgh & District Round Table team was delighted to see so many people attending the 15th Helensburgh Beer & Gin festival, the first since 2019.

"It was clear to us that with over 2,500 attendees, there was an obvious desire to start having fun again.

"Partygoers came from all around Scotland and we were very happy to welcome people from as far as Canada.

"Obviously we couldn’t have done it without our sponsors and we’d like to thank Buddies in boats, Hart, Home Hardware Wright’s, McArthur Stanton Solicitors, Jim Lough, Ross Moore, Peter Davies Employment Experts, Central Timber Construction, Mather Hires,  Fine Ales, Loch Lomond Brewery, NOVO and Hood Skip Hire.

"We’re looking forward to next year and have many ideas to make the festival even better."

Scroll through the gallery above to see our full range of images from the weekend.