Bakkafrost Scotland continues Cowal Gathering sponsorship
The Board of Cowal Gathering has revealed that Bakkafrost Scotland, formerly The Scottish Salmon Company, is to continue with its headline sponsorship of the world-famous event.
The business has supported the Cowal Gathering since 2014 as overall headline sponsor, plus sole sponsor of the Cowal Gathering heavy athletics programme. This includes both individual events, plus the Cowal International Heavy Athletics Championship which is Scotland’s only international heavy athletics championship.
Taking place on the last Thursday, Friday and Saturday in August, around 23,000 people regularly attend Cowal Gathering, which is widely recognised as the world’s most spectacular highland gathering.
Steeped in tradition, the annual Cowal Gathering has taken place against the stunning backdrop of Dunoon since 1894, and is home to the World Highland Dancing Championships, Cowal Pipe Band Championship and Cowal International Heavy Athletics Championship. Add in legendary family-friendly entertainment plus world-class traditional live music from some of Scotland’s top bands and it’s easy to see why Cowal Gathering has visitors from across the world flocking back year after year.
Bakkafrost Scotland employs over 500 staff across 60 sites on the west coast of Scotland and the Hebridean Islands. It is an active member of the communities in which it operates and recognises the importance of Cowal Gathering, not only as a key date in the local calendar, but also as an important international spectacle.
Announcing Bakkafrost Scotland’s sponsorship, Fraser McCowan, on behalf of the Cowal Gathering board said, ‘We are delighted that Bakkafrost has chosen to continue to support our historic event, building on the Scottish Salmon Company’s firm foundation and we are very much looking forward to the future. With an atmosphere second to none, Cowal Gathering is a very special event and we are thrilled Bakkafrost Scotland will once again be at the heart of the action.
Ian Laister, managing director of Bakkafrost Scotland said of the sponsorship: “Through our Community Charter we are committed to working hand in hand with local people to support our mission to be responsible and active part of the communities in which we live and work.
“We are looking forward to the Cowal Gathering which is so highly regarded and wish everyone taking part the best of luck and to enjoy the event.”
This year’s Cowal Highland Gathering runs from Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 August.
2023 Gig at the Gathering tickets on sale now!
Heads up music lovers - tickets are now on sale for Cowal Gathering’s flagship Friday night Gig at the Gathering (GATG).
The 2023 event is the seventh GATG since it first burst onto the scene in 2015. Now a firm favourite of the Gathering weekend, the gig has well and truly cemented its reputation for bringing some of Scotland’s best-known bands to Dunoon, as well as showcasing some of the area’s newest talent.
And, GATG fans will be excited to hear this year’s headliners are Beinn Lee who last played the GATG in 2019 and are certainly no strangers to a Cowal audience.
Joining Beinn Lee are GATG favourites Rhuvaal. This young band from Kintyre are firm favourites with the Friday night Cowal crowd, having played both the GATG and the Saturday Live Music Tent in 2022.
The GATG line-up is completed by Trávee, who are stepping onto the Cowal stage for the first time. This new trad/folk band from Tiree and Uist have been storming up the west coast music scene in 2023, formerly with some members of "Buddha & the Band"
Speaking on behalf of the Cowal Gathering Board, Fraser McCowan said he was excited to announce this year’s line-up saying: ‘This year we have an exciting mix of old friends and fresh new talent to get the weekend off to a great start.
‘The GATG is always a great night out, and its appeal crosses generations with something for music lovers of all ages.’
Tickets for the Gig - which will take place on Friday, August 25 in the Gathering’s Ceilidh Tent are on sale now for £25 on the Cowal Gathering website at www.cowalgathering.com
The gates will open at 6.30pm with the first band due to kick off half an hour later. The event will finish at 11pm.