Festive lights to make Christmas sparkle are going up across Argyll and Bute.

The switch-on dates have now been set and the first lights will herald the Christmas countdown from later this month.

More than 20 towns and villages will have festive displays.

Policy Lead for Roads and Amenity Services, Councillor Roddy McCuish, said: “Nothing says Christmas is coming for our communities like the switching on of the Christmas lights.

“Whether it’s lighting in streets and on buildings and festive trees put up specially for the occasion in our bigger towns, or existing trees dressed for the festive season in smaller communities, there will be sparkle and shine as we head into the festive season.”

Some of the lighting displays are arranged by Argyll and Bute Council, others by communities themselves.

The Christmas lights switch-on programme is:

Oban, Lorn and the Isles

Oban: Switch-on Saturday 18 November, 6pm

Tobermory: Friday 24 November 6pm.

Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands

Lochgilphead: Friday 1 December 7.30pm

Campbeltown: Friday 24 November, 7.30pm

Ardrishaig: Saturday 2 December, 5.30pm

Bowmore: Friday 1 December 4pm

Furnace: Saturday 2 December

Jura: Saturday 25 November

Tarbert: Friday 1 December 5.30pm

Port Ellen: Monday 4 December.

Bute and Cowal:

Dunoon: Saturday 25 November 5pm

Innellan: 3 December 6pm

Port Bannatyne: Saturday 2 December

Rothesay: Wednesday 6 December, 4-4.30pm

Sandbank: Saturday 2 December.

Helensburgh and Lomond:

Helensburgh: Friday 24 November

Arrochar: Friday 24 November

Cardross: Friday 24 November

Garelochhead: 24 November

Kilcreggan: Friday 24 November

Rhu: Friday 24 November

Rosneath: Friday 24 November