Social Activities
Our branch is one of the most socially active in the country. In addition to the monthly area socials, we have regular whole-branch get-togethers, bus trips and meet-ups at beer festivals in other parts of Scotland and further afield. Formal campaigning does not occur during our social events, but we would encourage all members to score the beer at some point during the event.
As our branch covers such a wide area, we have four different area social groups.
The South Ayrshire Group meet on the third Tuesday of each month. Times vary, so please check the branch calendar.
The North Ayrshire group meet on the third Thursday of each month starting at 20:00.
The East Ayrshire group meet on the last Wednesday of each month starting at 19:30.
The Wigtownshire social group tend to meet on a less regular basis.
Please note that you are welcome to attend an event hosted by any of our social groups. All events are listed on our branch calendar, in Full Pints and our monthly events email.
The main aim of any social event is for everyone to enjoy themselves. If you’ve never been, you don’t know what your missing. Partners and friends are welcome to join in.
We don’t bite … honest!
Branch Social at Larbert Beer Festival 2023
Larbert Beer Festival made a welcome return from 31 March-1 April. We held a branch social on Friday afternoon, and a good turnout by Ayrshire & Wigtownshire members enjoyed an excellent selection of ales.
Well done to our colleagues in Forth Valley.
SNIB Winter Social
Saturday, 28 January, saw 60+ CAMRA members gather for a social at Loch Lomond Brewery Tap.
Colin Valentine arranged the event, and most branches were represented. Ayrshire & Wigtownshire had 11 members in attendance, and all had a good time. Three cask ales, Southern Summit, Scottish Warrior and Silkie Stout, were in excellent condition.
Festive Crawl 2022
On a rather wet and windy Wednesday, 28 December, some forty-plus CAMRA members and friends participated in our annual festive crawl.
Six Ayr pubs were visited during the day, each serving excellent ale and providing a warm welcome.
During the crawl, we were able to sample new ales. Five Kingdoms Goddamn Jimmie, a 5.5% coffee porter and Ayr Brewing Company’s Journey to Mars, an 8.2% Baltic porter. Wonderful!
Many thanks to Connor Adam, Matt Miller and Stuart McMahon for providing the photographs.
South Ayrshire Xmas Lunch 2022
The South Ayrshire Xmas Lunch was held in the Glen Park Hotel, Ayr, on the afternoon of Sunday, 4 December. All had a great time. The meal was delicious, and the ales were in fine form.
Thanks to Anne and her excellent team for all their hard work. Thanks also to Donald, our South Ayrshire socials coordinator, for making all the arrangements.
Festival Volunteers' Afternoon 2022
After a lot of hard work before, after and during our recent festival, some forty-odd volunteers gathered in the Glen Park Hotel in Ayr on Saturday, 29 October to drink good beer, enjoy an excellent buffet and relax.
East Ayrshire Annual Dinner 2020
On Saturday 11th January, a 30 strong group of CAMRA members and family members met in The Weston Tavern, Kilmaurs. We had a choice of two ales to accompany a lovely three course meal.
Festive Crawl 2019
Our Festive Crawl 2019 visited some of our outlets in North Ayrshire. The day started at 12:30 in the Ayrshire & Wigtownshire Pub of the Year, The Twa Dugs in West Kilbride. A short bus ride took us to Fairlie and The Village Inn. Another bus ride took us into Largs where we visited The Paddle Steamer, The Three Reasons, The Waterside and J G Sharps.
A good turnout and great day was had by all in attendance.
South Ayrshire Christmas Lunch 2019
The South Ayrshire Christmas Lunch was held in The Glen Park Hotel, Ayr on Sunday 8th December.
The event was fully subscribed and an excellent meal enjoyed by all washed down with a choice of four ales from Ayr Brewing Company.
Festival Volunteers Trip to Alloa October 2019
Forty-eight of our festival volunteers enjoyed their visit to Alloa Real & Cider Festival on Saturday, 26th October.
Our coach arrived at the venue bang on 1 pm, and we were able to sample the ales for about 3.5 hours before making the short journey to make a quick stop at the Station Hotel in Larbert.
Many thanks to our hosts at Forth Valley CAMRA for their hospitality.
East Ayrshire Annual Dinner January 2019
East Ayrshire members met in the Brass & Granite in Kilmarnock on Saturday, 12th January, to enjoy their annual dinner.
The ales on offer were Bellhaven Robert Burns Brown Ale, Morland Original Bitter and Brass & Granite Best Bitter.
Machars Trip June 2018
Ayrshire members travelled by coach on Saturday, 9th June and were joined by their Wigtownshire counterparts at the first port of call, the renowned Steam Packet Inn in the Isle of Whithorn. On arrival, we were invited to enjoy a welcoming meal before presentations were made to Alastair Scoular, owner of the pub and the nearby Five Kingdoms Brewery.
The Steam Packet Inn was voted our Branch Cider Pub of the Year and was awarded bronze in the Scottish Cider Pub of the Year competition. Five Kingdoms Brewery was awarded our Beer of the Year certificate for its excellent Dark Storm Stout.
Visits were also made to the Harbour Inn at Garlieston, the Bladnoch Inn and House o’ Hill at Bargrennan. The weather was glorious, and all enjoyed a great day.
East Ayrshire Lancaster Trip 2018
A few images of the trip as our happy band visited a few pubs in the northwest of England.
South Ayrshire Christmas Lunch 2017
The annual lunch was held in Wellingtons Bar, Ayr where we were well looked after by Nan and her staff.
Festival Volunteers Trip to Alloa 2017
All our festival volunteers were offered the chance to visit the Alloa Real Festival, and all had a great day.
Beer of the Festival 2016 Presentation
Our Beer of the Festival at Troon in 2016 was Gates of Valhalla, a brew from Black Metal Brewery in Loanhead with an ABV of 7.9%. Our day out also included visiting Knops Brewery (now closed) at Dirleton and The Blacksmith’s Forge, Dalkeith, a JD Wetherspoon outlet.
Let’s say that the hospitality shown by both breweries was outstanding and leave it at that.
What a day that was!
