DUNOON was once again transformed into a riot of colour, music and mohawks as Punk on the Peninsula returned to the town for its milestone 10th year.
The hugely popular festival brought hundreds of visitors flooding into Dunoon over the weekend, with venues across the town buzzing as punk fans gathered for another celebration of live music and individuality.
Organised by Iain and Shannon Kilgallon in partnership with Dunoon Presents, the event once again centred around the Coal Pier car park on the banks of the Clyde, while additional gigs and events took place at venues including Dunoon Burgh Hall and The Victoria Bar.
Colin Moulson, manager of Dunoon Presents, said this year’s festival had ticked every box in terms of delivering a major economic boost for the town.
He said: “The event brings all that is magical to a seaside town: vibrancy, inclusivity, colour, noise and eccentricity by the bucket load.
All of which is brought by a group of people from all walks of life across the UK and much further beyond.”
One of the most talked-about arrivals this year came from Kent, where two regular festival-goers made the long journey to Dunoon in a hearse.
Chris, an undertaker by trade, travelled north with friend Danny, joking the unusual vehicle comes in handy from time to time if somebody has had too many sherbets and needs a sleep.
As in previous years, the festival attracted visitors from far beyond Scotland, with many travelling hundreds of miles to attend what has become one of the UK’s best-known independent punk gatherings.
Organisers say the atmosphere created by festival-goers continues to leave a positive impression on the town, with local businesses benefiting from a busy weekend of increased trade.
Mr Moulson added that the economic impact generated by Punk on the Peninsula remains one of the event’s most important successes.
He said: “The most important elements for townsfolk to focus on are both the friendly nature of this invasion and the huge financial economic impact for many local businesses as a direct result of Punk on the Peninsula.
Such is the festival’s popularity that more than 150 people have already booked accommodation for next year’s return visit, according to organisers.
What began as a grassroots punk gathering has now firmly established itself as one of Dunoon’s biggest annual events, bringing music fans, performers and visitors from across the UK and overseas to Cowal each year.”
