WET and windy weather couldn't dampen the spirits of thousands of visitors and exhibitors in Inverkip for Scotland's Boat Show 2018.

The three-day event - the biggest of its kind in the country and second largest in the UK - took place at Kip Marina at the weekend and organisers say it was another huge success.

The tail-end of Storm Callum had an impact on Friday and Saturday but huge crowds still turned out and the show ended on a brighter note on Sunday as visitors basked in glorious autumn sunshine.

There were more than 120 new and pre-owned boats on display as well as range of motorhomes and luxury cars.

National sailing body, RYA Scotland, laid on a series of free 'get on the water' taster sessions on board yachts, motor cruisers and high-powered RIB boats.

Back on dry land there were cooking demonstrations from budding chefs from the West College Scotland Greenock campus to celebrate the Year of Young People 2018, and over 40 designer arts and crafts stalls and lots of food and drink inside the many giant pavilions.

Gavin McDonagh, managing director of Kip Marina, said: "Once again, thanks to all the Kip staff who put together another very successful boat show, similarly thanks to our sponsors and partners RYA Scotland, West College Scotland, Riverside Inverclyde, Sika Marine, Cruising Association, Chelsea Magazines and The Herald. "It was pleasing to note that despite the wild and varied weather everyone was still awash with sales.

"We are again proud to be an ambassador for Inverclyde as a destination for visitors and exhibitors from all over the UK, and to promote Scotland's world class boating and sailing facilities."

During the course of the weekend there was live entertainment from pipe bands, rock choirs plus guest talks, presentations and a special visit from scale models of the famous Falkirk Kelpies.

The Inverkip event is now the largest brokerage boat show in the UK and attracted people from around Britain, Ireland and Europe.

There was also good news on the new boat front - so much so that several companies signed up on the opening day for the 2019 instalment, including first time exhibitor Alasdair Marshall, a director of Arcona Yachts.

He said: "With the demise of London Boat Show we wanted to see if a regional show would work for Arcona and so we made the journey to Scotland. "We have had great numbers of people showing an interest in our boats and, because of this, we are looking forward to returning to SBS in 2019."