MORE than 50 guests enjoyed an entertaining and colourful start to December as Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, the independent conservation and heritage charity for the National Park area, held its annual Christmas at Ross Priory event at the renowned exclusive venue in Gartocharn.

This year the locally-based vocal group The B flats brought a multitude of festive entertainment to the afternoon as they performed a selection of their repertoire, both seasonal and traditional, for an audience of Friends members and their guests.

Those attending were also able to choose that ‘different’ gift for somebody special in their life from a variety of stalls, which included tablet, jewellery, pebble pictures and pottery, along with the Friends’ range of DVDs, mugs and other merchandise.

A presentation was also made at the event to Friends project officer Alice Blazy-Winning, who is leaving the post to become a full-time Mum of two after seven years’ service to the charity.

Friends Trustee Dr Joyce Deans, who has organised the event every year since 2011, said: "This has been another successful venture for the Friends, whose members return to Ross Priory year on year knowing that they will witness a showcase of leading musical entertainment from within Scotland’s first National Park.

"Every year we have had an excellent group from within our catchment area performing to a rapturous reception, and The B Flats were certainly no different this year, impressing all with their vocal ability.

"A sincere thanks to our young piper and all the stallholders who came along on the day and sold their wares to help the Friends and their event become a roaring success once again.

"We appreciate that for everyone, the event is a huge commitment and without them it could not be the enjoyable day that it is.

"We would encourage any local craftspeople interested in exhibiting at our 2017 event – which is already set for Sunday, November 26 2017 – to make their interest known. They will be made most welcome.

"And a sincere thank you to the University of Strathclyde and the Staff at Ross Priory for their willing help and assistance in continuing to make this such a successful event."