Crowds flock to festival

The BIG KIC Festival lit up the Colzium Estate from August 13-15 with a range of attractions, music and dance - all centred around a 1,200-capacity big top tent.

Originally called the Kilsyth International Carnival, the event was founded in 2003 by a group of local residents keen to bring an arts festival to the picturesque spot.

A two-year hiatus in 2008 and 2009 gave the organisers the chance to regroup and transform the one-day event into a three-day jamboree which attracted thousands over the weekend.

An additional four-day comedy festival which finished on Saturday and featured the likes of Fred MacAuley and Stu Who, meant there was something for everyone.

It was an extra-special homecoming gig for Kilsyth's Paul Bain who played a well-received set with band Raintown on Sunday.

Paul, who recently released debut single 'Just One Kiss', said: "It was brilliant and the weather was fantastic which is something you can't buy. Because I grew up in the area it was really special.

"The crowd was really up-for-it and there was hardly room to stand. We've got a tremendous amount of positive feedback and would like to thank the organisers for inviting us to play."

Other highlights included Scottish songwriting legend Dougie MacLean and samba-maestros Macumba, who closed the festival in style.