THE festival season kicks off across Scotland this month with an ambitious art event setting the ball rolling in Aberdeen from tomorrow.
World-renowned artists have been working through the week on murals and installations in the city for Nuart – the first overseas version of the street art festival that began life in Stavanger, Norway in 2001.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “Nuart Aberdeen is in keeping with the change our city needs to go through and it has been amazing to observe the art taking shape this week.
“This city should see itself as pushing the boundaries and being at the fore, and we are hugely excited for everything the weekend has in store. Seeing passers-by stop to take it all in, particularly [German street art duo] Herakut’s incredible mural at The Green, has been wonderful.” Meanwhile, food and drink are the central attractions for three events kicking off from this weekend in Paisley.
The Voice finalists, Into The Ark, are headlining this year’s Paisley Food Festival. The talented duo finished as runners up on The Voice 2017, and will perform on next Saturday at Abbey Close. This is the third year of the event – part of the push for Paisley’s bid for UK City of Culture 2021.
Dane, from the duo, said: “We always love playing in Scotland, it’s like a second home for us. It’s great to be supporting Paisley 2021. This will also be our first proper gig since taking part in The Voice, so we’re looking forward to getting back to what we do best.”
Paisley 2021 bid director Jean Cameron added: “The growing list of special guests and interesting traders participating in this year’s Paisley Food Festival is sure to attract hundreds to the town for what I’m confident will be the best food festival yet.”
Also confirmed to attend the event are Masterchef: The Professionals winner Gary Maclean and CBeebies star Katy Ashworth.
Scotland’s largest real ale festival, the 30th Paisley Beer Festival, will return for another year to the town hall from Wednesday to Saturday, and Paisley Restaurant Week starts from tomorrow.
Elsewhere, Toploader are the headline act at this year’s RNLI Parkfest in Stranraer – the eighth edition of the event on the shores of Loch Ryan, a fundraiser for the inshore lifeboat. The band follows in the footsteps of Dodgy, S-Club and Ben Haenow in performing at the Dumfries and Galloway festival at Agnew Park on August 19.
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