Girvan is a small Scottish fishing town in South Ayrshire 60 miles south of Glasgow. It nestles snuggly in the hills around the mouth of the river Girvan commanding a view of Ailsa Craig, Arran, and the Mull of Kintyre. It is easily reached as Girvan is on the main road (A77) and rail links from Glasgow to Stranraer.
Girvan Festival was started in 1975 and soon became known for presenting the best traditional acts not only from Scotland , Ireland and England but from overseas as well.
The informal sessions are legendary. Over the years venues have had to change because of hotel closures but a full picture of Girvan Festival over the years would have to include. The weekend long Irish sessions in the Ailsa Craig; the traditional singing sessions in the Southfield; the sessions in every corner of the Harbour Bar, the singing sessions in the dome of the foyer of the old Kings Hotel now no longer a hotel; the Queens Hotel for events and sessions; the different sessions and the concerts in the Westcliffe Hotel and latterly but going from strength to strength, sessions in the Royal Hotel and the Fish Inn , formerly the Swee.The Roxy Beer Garden has also hosted sundrenched Saturday afternoon sessions and the Hamilton Arms has hosted dance ceilidhs and also had an official fringe with alternative bands for several years.
Website: http://www.girvanfolkfestival.co.uk/contact.htm
2008: 2nd - 4th May 2008. Festival guests include Lunasa, Rallion, Sylvia Barnes & Sandy Stanage, Bob Fox, Alistair Hulett. | 
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