INVERCLYDE is fortunate to have enthusiastic and talented theatre groups who tackle a wide variety of subjects throughout the year.

The latest project coming up soon involves Greenock Players staging two evenings of three one-act plays at the end of August.

Some members of audiences around the country may wonder what prompts amateur dramatic groups to spend endless hours learning lines before getting into costumes and going on stage.

They enjoy the fun, camaraderie and adrenalin, and relish their contact with a live audience, but there’s also a great deal of dedication involved in doing something for the love of it.

The Players are lining up a dark comedy, a thriller and a comedy for the Beacon on 28 and 29 August. Enjoy.

Another highlight that weekend is the Cowal Highland Gathering in Dunoon, where Greenock actor Martin Compston will be the honorary chieftain.

Highland dancing, pipe bands, traditional wrestling, heavy athletics and ceilidh music are all on the menu for a weekend that attracts fans from around the country and is a crucial part of the area’s economy.

And on 23 August there is the chance to take part in the Inverclyde Leisure sprint distance triathlon, which starts and finishes at Gourock Pool.

Triathlons are becoming more and more popular, helped by the world series being shown on TV.

The next one is in Stockholm, coincidentally, on the same weekend as Inverclyde’s.

So it’s a busy month ahead with something for almost everyone to look forward to!