Latest news with #EagleshamBeerFestival
Daily Record
12-05-2025
- Daily Record
Scenic Scottish town home to country's best beer festival and largest wind farm
Just 20 minutes from Glasgow, Eaglesham becomes Scotland's beer capital for a day each summer but offers charm, history and scenery all year round. One of the best things about travelling in Scotland is how quickly the scenery can change, and nowhere proves this better than Glasgow. Despite being the country's biggest city, a short 30-minute drive takes you to some of the world's most breathtaking landscapes and charming villages. Among them is Eaglesham, a picturesque settlement in East Renfrewshire that quietly hosts what many consider to be the best beer festival in the country, Scottish Daily Express reports. Steeped in history and known for its tranquil charm, Eaglesham was Scotland's first conservation village. It's dotted with listed buildings and wrapped in countryside calm, making it an ideal day trip from the city. But once a year, the sleepy village transforms as beer lovers from across the country flock to the Eaglesham Beer Festival. First held in 2015, the festival has grown from a modest gathering to a major event on the Scottish cultural calendar. In 2019, it was crowned Scotland's best food and drink event, and by 2023, it had earned a shortlist spot in the 'Scotland's Best Large Festival' category at the Event-It Awards. Organisers hope 2025 will see the festival reach even greater heights when it returns on Saturday, July 5. As well as showcasing top-tier food and drink stalls, the festival includes family-friendly activities, making it a day out for all ages. But there's more to Eaglesham than beer. Described by Undiscovered Scotland as lying on 'the southern edge of Glasgow's catchment area,' the village is said to have 'a great deal of character', much of it owed to the Orry, a large village green at its heart. Once the site of a cotton mill that employed 200 people, the Orry was gifted to the people of Eaglesham by the 10th Earl of Eglinton in the 18th century, who also designed much of the modern village. History here runs deep. The Eaglesham Heritage Trail traces the village's origins to the 11th century, while sites like Polnoon Lodge, built by the 9th Earl of Eglinton, and Motte Hill, once used for medieval gatherings, offer rich glimpses into the past. Nearby Deil's Wood, home to a cairn perched on a prominent ridge, adds to the area's outdoor appeal. Just outside the village lies one of Scotland's most striking landmarks, the Whitelee Wind Farm. With more than 200 turbines spanning three council areas, it's the largest onshore wind facility in the UK. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Eaglesham is also remembered for a dramatic moment in World War II history. In 1941, Nazi official Rudolf Hess crash-landed in the village after a mysterious solo flight from Germany. He claimed to be on a peace mission to meet the Duke of Hamilton but mistook Eaglesham House for Dungavel House near Strathaven. Pulled from the wreckage by a local farmer, Hess was later tried at Nuremberg and spent the rest of his life in Spandau Prison. Despite its small size, the village boasts a good selection of shops, pubs, tearooms, and restaurants. The nearest train station is in East Kilbride, six miles away, but Eaglesham is well connected by the 4A bus from Glasgow and is just a 20-minute drive via the M77.
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Scots singing sensation Connor Fyfe to play Strathaven Beer Festival
Tickets are on sale now for the one-day event in Strathaven's George Allan Park on May 31. Teen Scottish singing sensation Connor Fyfe has signed up to play the inaugural Strathaven Beer Festival at the end of the month. The 18-year-old has recently moved to the area, meaning his performance will be a home gig and the perfect opportunity to showcase some of his new music. Connor rose to fame in 2019 with a series of online uploads capturing the then 12-year-old's talent, with his performances going viral. He has since played at a number of sold out gigs and venues across Scotland and the UK, most notably TRNSMT festival in Glasgow - and his performance in Strathaven will be one of many festival slots in a busy summer for the singer. Organiser Fraser Wilson told Lanarkshire Live: 'We're delighted to have secured Connor's services for our event on May 31. 'He's a fantastic talent with a huge future and someone I've been aware of for a number of years. He was actually due to perform at Eaglesham Beer Festival, which we also run, in 2020 - unfortunately Covid put paid to that. 'So it will be great to finally have him perform for us - he's such a brilliant singer and he'll really get the crowd going.' Download the Lanarkshire Live app today The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now. Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7. The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you. Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android For the one-day event in Strathaven's George Allan Park on May 31, Connor will be joined by fellow local singer, John McLarnon and covers band, Underdog. Edinburgh trad singers, The Greasy Whiskers, will also perform throughout the day, with four 30-minute sessions lined up 'out and about' the event site. The day's entertainment will be headlined by DJ, Let's Get Eclectic, who can regularly be heard holding Glasgow pub audiences captive. As well as unveiling the live music line-up for the event, organisers have announced who will be pouring on the day, with beer lovers in for a treat. Pouring for the West Coast will be Dookit, Outlandish, Simple Things Fermentation and Two Towns Down breweries, whilst Tempest brewery will represent the Scottish Borders. Winton Brewery, from Haddington, will pour for the East Coast, with Six Degrees North, of Stonehaven, representing the Highlands. For non-beer lovers, Angels Dare Cocktails, The Dispensary Bar and RAER Whisky will be on hand to quench thirsts, with Strathaven's very own Champer Camper taking care of the weekend's fizz. Fellow organiser, Richard Malloy, added: 'We want to celebrate Scottish craft beers with a wider audience and back that up with street food and entertainment to create a great party atmosphere. 'It'll be a real community occasion, with entertainment for kids by way of Operation Play Outdoors, facepainting and balloon animals, and ice cream - lots of ice cream.' A different event to the town's already successful Round Table Beer Festival, the new 'swally' will be a fun-filled community event showcasing the best of independent Scottish beer, gin, cocktails, wine and fantastic street food. Looking to utilise local service providers and traders where possible, the event will welcome food from Country Park Catering, Roasted Cafe, Smokin' Delights barbecue and Nether Lethame Farm ice cream, all of which are from the area. And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
