Seil Scarecrow Festival Programme 2026

Sunday 26th July

11am – 4pm: Scarecrow Craft Fair and Fun Day

Fun for all the family. Lots of lovely local crafts, games, BBQ, dog show, scarecrow scavenger hunt, bouncy castles…grab a friend come on down with cash and card!

Bouncy castles – £10 for an unlimited bouncy castle and entertainment wrist band to be used all day.

Homemade tea and cafes in the Cafe, lovely local burgers on our BBQ serving until 3pm. Vegetarian options available too.

A selection of amazing local crafts in our Craft Fair all day in the main hall.

All day

  • Tombola, and other game stalls – bring cash!
  • Storytelling and book stall with Waterstones.
  • Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt
  • Fire truck demo with Seil Community Fire Station.
  • And more….

12 noon – 2km Hill race

Registration on the day (11 – 11:45). £2 entry, under 12’s free. Run at your own risk.

2pm Kids field games – welly throwing, egg and spoon and all your favourites for big and small kids.

3pm – Dog show

Entries on the day. Categories:

  • Happiest Dog
  • Most obedient
  • Waggiest tail
  • Best in Show

Monday 27th July

10am – 12 pm: Seaweed touch pool

Get up close and personal with some local sea life. Located at Seil Hall – just pop along and learn about our seas. Sponsored by SAMS.

10 am – 12 pm: Introduction to Kayaking

A half an hour taster session, for beginners or those wanting to practice strokes. Wear suitable clothing and water shoes or old trainers. Life jackets provided. Min age 8 years old. Led by Kenny Lacey from Sea Kayak Scotland in Seil Hall Pond.

Booking required – email seilislandhall@gmail.com

£8 cash or card

11 am – 2 pm: Cafe and Bookswap

Bring a friend down to the Scarecrow Cafe in Seil Hall and enjoy some of Seil’s finest baking, a sandwich and a cuppa. While there, swap a book, vote for your favourite scarecrow and buy some raffle tickets to be in a chance to win some amazing prizes!

12.5 – 1.15pm: Stories on the beach

Come to Dunearn Beach and listen to some Sandy Stories for all ages! If weather does not permit join us at the story tent at the hall.

1 – 3 pm: Advanced kayaking – Rescues

Join Kenny Lacey from Sea Kayak Scotland for a 2 hour session for 8 people to learn about personal safety, basic strokes, self rescue and rescue in all weathers. Bring own kit for safety check.

Booking required – email seilislandhall@gmail.com

£25 per person

 

1 pm: Wild swimming with fire and smores

Come for a swim in the sea at Dunearn Beach or in Hall Bay, depending on the weather and jellyfish, then relax and have a smore by the fire.

Swim at your own risk, children must be accompanied by an adult.

7 pm start: Quiz & curry night

Does what it says on the tin – homemade delicious curries and sides, and a quiz. Find yourself a team (up to 6) or just come in and join one. Doors close 7pm, no late admittance. Any left over curries will be for sale at the end of the evening.

£17.50 a head

Licenced bar

Tuesday 28th July

9 am: Moth trapping & ID

Join Seil Biodiversity CIC for a morning of moth identification and see the beautiful diversity of moths on Seil. Weather dependent event, keep an eye on Facebook for updates including for the location.

10 – 11am: Morning disco boogie

Come along and have a dance at Seil Hall. Music from all eras, everyone welcome.

11 am – 2 pm: Main hall open for games

Open for Pickleball, Table Tennis table and other games

11am: Heritage Walk

Meet at Seil Hall and join Ron Hetherington for a walk around Ellenabeich to learn more about our local heritage including a visit to the Heritage Centre. Easy walking and very relaxed – everyone welcome

11 am – 2pm: Cafe and Bookswap

Bring a friend down to the Scarecrow Cafe in Seil Hall and enjoy a sandwich, some of Seil’s finest baking and a cuppa. While there, swap a book, vote for your favourite scarecrow and buy some raffle tickets to be in a chance to win some amazing prizes!

11 am – 2 pm: Mini Scarecrow Hunt

Put on your detective hat and find the Scarecrows that have escaped around Ellenabeich. Start at Seil Hall any time betweek 11 and 2pm to collect your treasure map. Fun for all ages.

2 pm: Heritage Walk

Meet at Seil Hall and join Ron Hetherington for a walk around Ellenabeich to learn more about our local heritage including a visit to the Heritage Centre. Easy walking and very relaxed – everyone welcome

2 pm: Wildflower walk

Meet at Seil Hall for a wildflower walk led by James Fenton. A chance to explore the local flora around Ellenabeich. Easy walking and very relaxed – everyone welcome

6-8 pm: Texas Scramble Golf Competition

Prompt tee off at 6pm at Isle of Seil Golf Club. Teams of 3 – £10 per head

Enter name on sheet in Club House. All players welcome

 

Wednesday 29th July

10 am – 12 noon: Craft carousel

Come along for a morning of crafting for all ages in the main hall at Seil Hall. Try your hand at mask decorating, crisp packet blanket making, bookmark making, mini scarecrows, and more.

£5 per person

Cash or card on the door

11 am – 2 pm: Pop-up Café and bookswap

Bring a friend down to the Scarecrow Cafe in Seil Hall and enjoy a sandwich, some of Seil’s finest baking and a cuppa. While there, swap a book, vote for your favourite scarecrow and buy some raffle tickets to be in a chance to win some amazing prizes!

1 pm: Family film – Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

With intro and Q&A by Jim Parkyn, professional model-maker who worked on the film!

3 – 4pm – Animation workshop

A fun practical making session for all ages with master model maker Jim Parkyn with experience working at Aardman Animations & BBC. Supported by Screen Argyll.

Booking required email seilislandhall@gmail.com

£8 workshop – £10 bundle ticket for film and workshop

7pm: Cinema – Sunshine on Leith

Settle in for a brilliant evening at Seil Community Cinema for this jubilant, heartfelt musical about the power of love, home and family, adapted from the stage musical by Stephen Greenhorn and featuring the euphorric music of The Proclaimers.

Doors 7pm, film starts 7:30pm.

£8 per person.

Cash or card on the door

Licenced bar and snacks

 

Thursday 30th July

Scarecrows take over Easdale…

11 am – 12 noon: Storymakers workshop (Easdale Island)

Creative story making fun for all the family in The Community Hall Hub, Easdale Island.

Booking required, email lee@easdale.org

 

11 am – 3 pm: Storybook Treasure Trail (Easdale Island)

Drop into throughout the day and become an Easdale Island explorer and solve the Storykeeper’s puzzle.

1am – 3pm: Museum (Easdale Island)

Open door at the Easdale Island museum. Free entry

3 pm: Duckrace (Easdale Island)

Quacking fun for all the family. Buy a duck in advance of the race, with launch at 3 or 3,30pm depending on the tides.

Suggested price £1-£2 per duck

 

 

11 am – 2pm Cafe and Bookswap (Seil Hall)

Bring a friend down to the Scarecrow Cafe in Seil Hall and enjoy a sandwich, some of Seil’s finest baking and a cuppa. While there, swap a book, vote for your favourite scarecrow and buy some raffle tickets to be in a chance to win some amazing prizes!

2:30 – 3:30: Pilates

Come along to the regular Pilates class at Seil Hall with Sue from Pilates Near Me. No experience needed, mats provided – just wear comfortable, loose clothes and bring some water.

£9

Friday 31st July

10 – 10:30 am Bookbug

Immerse yourself in The Scarecrow’s Wedding in this Bookbug session at Seil Hall. Suitable for younger family members, but everyone welcome.

10:30 – 12pm Stay & Play

Come along to the main hall at Seil Hall for a morning of games and fun, with table tennis, board games, Lego, and much more.

11 am – 2pm Cafe & Bookswap

Bring a friend down to the Scarecrow Cafe in Seil Hall and enjoy a sandwich, some of Seil’s finest baking and a cuppa. While there, swap a book, vote for your favourite scarecrow and buy some raffle tickets to be in a chance to win some amazing prizes!

1pm – 2pm Talent Show

Got a talent you want to show Seil? Enter Seil’s Got Talent on the day to strut your stuff… …or come and join the audience and help us vote for Seil’s greatest talent.

£2 to enter a talent

Donations on the door

7:30 pm Ceilidh with Argyll Ceilidh Trail

Dance the night away with Argyll Ceilidh Trail as they return to Seil Hall for their 2026 summer tour. A familiy friendly ceilidh.

£10 adult, £5 child

Family ticket £25 (2 adults, 2 children)

Under 5’s free

With licenced bar