Stewarton’s Bonnet Guild festival was marked in socially-distanced fashion – with the pandemic unable to completely halt the summer celebrations.
A largely virtual festival week took place to put a smile on the town’s face after a difficult few months.
On gala day itself president Tom Horner gave a Facebook Live address from Avenue Square before being led by a piper to visit the home of Corsehill Queen Katie Paterson.
He delivered a commemorative balloon and bouquet to Katie and offered his congratulations.
Vice-president Hugh Gillies was then accompanied by the piper on a similar trip to First Courtier Rhys Hamilton, with the ceremonies proving to be very popular on Facebook Live.
The week was then brought to its traditional close with a pre-recorded laying of the wreath at the war memorial by Corsehill Queen Katie.
The two Pages and Queen’s Highlander were chosen by the local primary schools but the rest of the court came from Stewarton Academy: Corsehill Queen, Katie Paterson; 1st maid, Ava Parker; 2nd Maid, Grace McDade; Maids, Katie Dallimore, Amy Peters, Harri Jose and Cara Moffat; First Courtier, Rhys Hamilton; 2nd Courtier, Max McCaughran; Herald, Kyle Cowan; Sword Bearer, Alexander Sharp; Crown Bearer, Callum Pennington; Sceptre Bearer, Fraser Waddington; Queen’s Highlander, Oliver Currie; Pages, Charlie Ballingall and Fraser McLeod.
Events held during the week included an art exhibition, indoor scavenger hunt, keepy-uppy challenge, fancy dress, walking treasure hunt, poets’ corner, greenfingers gallery, close-ups competition and joke of the day.
The MacAulay Bunch won the indoor scavenger hunt, Oliver Currie won the junior keepy-uppy, Peter Niven was junior bat’n’ball champion, Des Paterson won the senior bat 'n' ball and The Graughters won the walking treasure hunt.
A Bonnet Guild spokesperson said: “We would like to thank the wider community for all their enthusiasm, support, participation and kind words of encouragement. We are so glad you enjoyed yourselves.
“The Bonnet Guild are currently liaising with East Ayrshire Council to determine when and where it might be possible to hold a rescheduled official crowning ceremony and parade. No date has been confirmed as yet but keep a close eye on the Bonnet Guild Facebook page for all the latest updates.”
