Loudoun Castle family night opens festival

Apr 23 2008 Ayrshire Post

IRVINE Valley Walking and Outdoor Festival’s opening event – a family fun night - is being held at Loudoun Castle Park on Friday May 9 at 7pm.

The festival piper will start the event with a short walk to the ruins of Loudoun Castle to watch an exciting Jacobite rapier combat display by Scottish Duelling Society, Verias Vincit.

There’s a treasure hunt for younger children and Catch the Walking Bug, Loudoun Castle Park’s bird of prey and farmyard animals will also be at the Castle to entertain the crowds. Burgers, snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

This year’s Bat Walk with East Ayrshire Countryside Rangers will also be held at Loudoun Castle Park - phone 01563 522702 to book a place as numbers are limited. A fun new attraction this year will be a Moth Walk led by Neil Gregory.

Neil is the Recorder for Moths in Ayrshire and is responsible for all the British Isle Records.

He uses a Mercury Vapour Moth Trap and he might be lucky enough to catch an Elephant Hawk Moth with its attractive pink and green colouring.

Don’t worry – all moths are released from the Trap! No need to register for this walk. Both these walks will commence at 9pm.

All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at the family fun night.

Loudoun Castle Park is also hosting a cross-country walk around the Castle estate on Saturday May 10 at 11am. All the above events are taking place courtesy of Henk Bembom, owner of Loudoun Castle Park.

For more details and a copy of the Walking Festival brochure, phone May Anderson on 01560 322966 or email ivrp@btconnect.com