THE Scottish Maritime Museum has revealed highlights of Saturday’s food and drink marquee and live cooking demonstrations which will be part of the Christmas Market this weekend.

The Christmas Market, which is free to enter and which will take place in the museum’s Linthouse and Courtyard on Irvine Harbourside, is back bigger than ever. 

As well as extending over three days for the first time, the craft and gift market will showcase over 100 local artisans and businesses with 70 attending on Saturday alone - making it one of the largest in the area.

Alongside the Christmas Market on Saturday, the museum has teamed up with Ayrshire Food an’ a' that to put on lively chef demonstrations and a food market showcasing the best produce from across the region. 

The food and drink celebration has been made possible by a Regional Food Fund award.

Scott Logan from Harbourside favourite Puffers Café Bistro and Derrick Vaughan, Chef Proprietor at the popular Reggaelicious Food Truck & Kitchen, which serves up home-cooked Caribbean food, will give live food demonstrations showing everyone how to whip up delicious food using local produce. 

The demonstrations will take place at 12noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. The food and drink marquee will be full of local food and drink producers.

New producers for this year include Baked By Hayley, Chocolate from Narnia, Nine Fold Distillery, Sweetheart Tablet and The Boxed Baker.

Returning favourites include Auchengree Farm Shop, Ayrshire Riviera Cider, BurnAnne Spirits, Scone Mad, The Inventor's Gin Company, The Way Forward 2045, Threepwood Fayre and Scottish Creamy Cheesecake Company.

Across the courtyard, Reggaelicious, Little Texas BBQ, Wayne's Ices, Joanna’s Chippy Van and Cedar Cottage Country Foods will also serve up tasty food.

Little Birdhouse Bakes will be serving in the Linthouse once again.

The Scottish Maritime Museum Christmas Market will begin with an evening market from 3pm – 8pm this Friday then open between 11am and 4pm over the weekend.

On Friday, everyone is also invited to take part in a Light Parade organised by North Ayrshire Council.

The Parade, which will begin at Cunninghame House Car Park (next to Marress House) at 6pm, will travel along the Harbourside before ending at the Scottish Maritime Museum.

There, everyone will enjoy a light show against the museum’s historic Linthouse building and entertainment as well as the Christmas evening market.

As well as the food and drink marquee and cooking demonstrations on Saturday, there will be additional highlights for families on Sunday.

Younger visitors will get the chance to meet Santa, give him their Christmas wish list and receive a small gift. Visits to Santa will take place 11am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

Children will also be able to fire their imagination crafting Christmas decorations to put up on their Christmas tree. Sessions will run hourly from 11am.

The Linthouse will also ring to the sound of local choirs on Sunday with Coast Harmony at 11am and Whitehirst Park Primary School at 2pm.