AN IRVINE venue has announced exciting plans for a summer market to be hosted in the town.

The Scottish Maritime Museum on Irvine Harbourside will be hosting the new event on Saturday, July 22, and Sunday, July 23.

Dubbed Ayrshire’s summer food, drink and craft market, the event is due to be one of the highlights of the museum’s busy summer events and exhibitions programme.

A collaboration with ‘Ayrshire Food An’ A’ That’, the market will extend across the Museum Courtyard and the vast, glass-roofed Victorian Linthouse building, and visitors will be able to enjoy sampling and taking home some of Ayrshire’s finest food, drink and crafts.

The market, which will be free to visit, is aiming to build on the successes of the ‘Making Waves Festival’ Craft Market and ‘Tastes of Ayrshire’ event held at the museum last year.

Christopher Woodland, commercial manager at the Scottish Maritime Museum, says he is hoping the event can help showcase the amazing businesses Ayrshire has to offer.

He commented: “Whilst preserving and engaging everyone with Scotland’s rich maritime heritage is our key role, we also work hard to support local businesses and tourism across Ayrshire.

“After such an amazing response to the two markets we held last year, we were keen to showcase more of the wonderful crafts and produce on our doorstep.

“Ayrshire’s summer food, drink and craft market is going to be another fabulous and fun opportunity for everyone to come along, taste and buy. It’ll be a great day out for all ages and we look forward to welcoming everyone next month.”

Updates on Ayrshire’s summer food, drink and craft market and the museum’s summer events programme can be found online at: scottishmaritimemuseum.org.