FOOD, drink and crafts from across Ayrshire will be on offer at a popular visitor attraction this weekend - and the organisers have revealed a taster of what lies in store.

Ayrshire's Summer Food, Drink and Craft Market will take place at the Scottish Maritime Museum on Irvine's Harbourside on Saturday and Sunday, July 22 and 23.

The event, in the museum's courtyard and Linthouse Building, is open from 10am until 4pm on both days, and is a collaboration between the museum and the 'Ayrshire Food An' A' That' initiative.

Visitors will discover a wide range of crafts by over 40 artisans, from glasswares, woodcraft, jewellery, scented candles and beauty products to art, gifts, fashion and homewares.

Everyone can also sample and buy from some of Ayrshire’s finest food and drink producers and pick up some new cooking ideas in Saturday’s Food Demo Theatre.

Demonstrations by chef Mark Hunter and the Ayrshire Regional Food Group will take place at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy lots of baking and treats as well as savouries from the Reggaelicious Food Truck.

Free entertainment over both days will also include the chance to see a model railway layout in the Linthouse along with a display of model lifeboats. Irvine Model Boat Club will also be sailing craft on the outside boating pond.

The Ayrshire Classic Car Club will be there with 10 classic cars on Saturday and, on Sunday, the Scottish Fire Brigades Heritage Trust will bring along a vintage fire engine for everyone to see.

Entertainment in the Linthouse reception on Sunday will include Junkman’s Choir at 1pm and the Garnock Valley Traditional Music Group at 2pm.

Visitors can also take a walk down memory lane with the fun and informative ‘Maritime History and Rum Tasting Tour’, which will run between 10.30am and 12.30pm on Saturday.

After a welcome drink of West Coast ginger wine, visitors on the ticketed tour will explore the maritime history of the Ayrshire coast and find out about characters from the past – including Saltcoats-born Betsy Miller, who was the first registered female ship’s captain, and Aggie MacIntosh, who lived in a typical shipyard worker's tenement flat.

The tour culminates with a tasting of three types of Scottish Rum at the ‘Captain’s Table’.

The tour suits individuals, families and groups, and tickets can be purchased on the Museum website.

Christopher Woodland, commercial manager at the Scottish Maritime Museum, said: “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 at the weekend.”