The ever-popular festival is coming soon and tickets are now on sale for Saturday night activities centred around the brand new marina at Southbank and picturesque Peel Park in the town centre.

This year's Canal Festival is on Saturday and Sunday, August 23 and 24, and there are lots of things to do on the Saturday evening to get you in the party mood for the main event on Sunday.

For fun on the water, locals are invited to book up for a themed boat trip along the canal, setting off from the new Southbank Marina.

Themes include 'Ghost & Ghouls', run by Spirit of Glasgow Ghost Tours, 'Wine Tasting' by Case Studies Wine Tutors and 'Music Trips' with the Bowling Harbour Ceilidh Band.

The Seagull Trust will also be offering barge trips along the canal.
For landlubbers, Peel Park will host a fantastic folk club night from 7-10pm, featuring exciting folk acts including Rachael Dawick, Off the Cuff and The Broads.

The event is being run in partnership with the Peel Park Community Heritage Events Association and Bar Bliss, which will provide bar facilities.

Councillor Billy Hendry, convener of the development and environment committee, with responsibility for tourism, said: "The Saturday night of the festival is beginning to establish itself as a date for the diary as well as the Sunday itself, which attracts thousands of visitors every year.

"We have great facilities in Kirkintilloch focused around the canal and this is an opportunity to make the most of those by coming along and enjoying a great night."

Tickets are now available for the new Saturday night celebrations. Call 0141 578 8622.

All themed boat trips cost £7 and tickets are available from council offices at The Triangle, Kirkintilloch Road, Bishopbriggs, or from the Auld Kirk Museum, Kirkintilloch.

The Seagull Trust boat trips cost £4 and tickets are available from the Auld Kirk Museum.