Legendary comedy captain is among the ‘stars’ at Kirkintilloch Canal Festival

There will be a story week between August 20 and 24.

The ‘History of the Forth and Clyde Canal’ is the name of the story night on Monday, August 20 – 7pm-9.30pm.

You are invited to enjoy a short cruise and find out more about the history of the canal, its importance to central Scotland’s industrial development, its decline and, renaissance to the present day.

It will be presented by local historian Tommy Lawton. Light refreshments will be served at the interval.

The Voyager leaves Kirkintilloch Marina at 7pm. Tickets cost £3 and booking is essential – e-mail [email protected] for ticket details.

The following night – Tuesday, August 21, will star The Clyde Puffer and ‘Para Handy’.

People can enjoy a short cruise and find out more about the famous Puffer followed by an episode of ‘Para Handy’ from the 1972 television series.

The event will be presented by local historian Colin Castle, between 7pm and 9.30pm. Light refreshments will be served at the interval.

The Voyager leaves Kirkintilloch Marina at 7pm. Again, tickets cost £3 and booking is essential – e-mail [email protected]

On Wednesday, August 22, you can find out more about ‘Kirkintilloch as a Canal Transport Interchange’.

The event takes place between 7pm and 9.30pm.

You can enjoy a short cruise and discover how local industries developed their use of the canal and associated key communication links in the area.

Included will be rail/road interchanges at Hillhead and Townhead bridges, the local foundries need for the essential canal link to prosper, and the importance of the link between the Monkland and Kirkintilloch railway.

The presentation will be made by local historian Don Martin. Light refreshments will be served at the interval.

The Voyager leaves Kirkintilloch Marina at 7pm. Tickets cost £3 and booking is essential – e-mail [email protected]

‘Doon the Watter’ is the title of the story night on Thursday, August 23, from 7pm to 9.30pm.

You are invited to take a short cruise and embark on a journey of holiday memories during the 1950s and 60s, courtesy of local historian Bill Black.

Any typical holiday memory cannot exclude the great ‘Scottish Fish Tea’ and that night will be no different. The ticket price includes your ‘supper’ and if you like, take along your own bottle of wine. Participants will eat at 7pm on the

Voyager as the cruise leaves the Marina. Tickets cost £7 and booking is essential. E-mail [email protected]

‘The Volcanic Campsies and the forming of the Kelvin Valley’ is the name of a presentation on Friday, August 24, from 7pm to 9.30pm.

Again, you can enjoy a short cruise and be taken back in time to a place unfamiliar to us all today – a time when the Campsies were among the highest eminences of Planet Earth, towering volcanoes thousands of feet high and more than ten times what they are today.

You can learn how the Kelvin Valley was formed, which created the local habitat supporting human life, industry and culture.

The presentation will be by Professor Paul Bishop of the School of Geographical and Earth Sciences. Light refreshments will be served at the interval. The Voyager leaves Kirkintilloch Marina at 7pm.

Again tickets cost £3 and booking is essential. E-mail [email protected]

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