MORE than 50 musicians are tuning up to take part Weirfest and Scotland’s Red Toorie Hat Festival on Saturday, June 18.

"Scotland’s most-loved mountain man", Tom Weir, and the wonders of the great outdoors will be celebrated by in a packed programme at the second Weirfest and Scotland’s Red Toorie Hat Festival beside the broadcaster’s iconic statue at scenic Balmaha Bay on Loch Lomondside.

The family fun day, which attracted a bumper crowd at its inaugural staging last year, takes place on June 18 from 11am to 4pm.

Organised by the Tom Weir Memorial Group in association with Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, the family fun day will include performances by Scottish alternative blues singer and songwriter Dave Arcari and veteran folk singer and broadcaster Jimmie MacGregor, while popular Scottish minstrel Alistair MacDonald will also return to the stage having taken part last year.

Local musicians will also have a stage presence in the form of the very popular and colourful Loch Lomond Ukulele Orchestra and folk duo Linsey Aitken and Ken Campbell.

Susan Taylor, administrator of the Tom Weir Memorial Group, said: “Last year’s festival was such a huge success that we started planning the 2016 event straight away. It has come around amazingly quickly but everything is on track and we are excited for what we hope will be an even more popular event this time around.

“Once again we will have plenty replica versions of Tom’s signature red toorie hat on sale, and we hope that anybody who already owns one will bring theirs along to join in the spirit of the day – a tribute to Scotland’s most-loved mountain man. And if the weather can be as good to us as it was last year that would be even better.”

Other elements of the festival are set to keep younger visitors busy, including woodcraft demonstrations, wildlife and toorie hat competitions, treasure trails and much more. Admission and car parking will once again be free of charge, but donations on the day will be welcome to boost the fundraising campaign to help maintain the statue and picnic site, now known as Tom Weir’s Rest.

James Fraser, Chairman of Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, added: “We are very grateful to the musicians and volunteers who are freely giving up a midsummer Saturday to come along to Balmaha and help ensure we make the second Weirfest a great success.

“We have an impressive line-up of musicians and other outdoor attractions and with the recent additions of the mountain garden and storyboards to the site, we hope that visitors and locals will come out in force on the day to enjoy the event in the magical Balmaha Bay setting.”

Further details of the festival programme can be viewed on the Tom Weir Statue Campaign’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tomweirmemorial