I've worked at the Irn-Bru Carnival for over 30 years - it's tradition

Now known as the Irn-Bru Carnival, the Christmas tradition started at Kelvin Hall in 1919 before moving to the SEC in 1986.

Margaret Cowan, who has helped to organise the event for over 30 years, lights up when she recalls her first memories of the funfair.

OPENING OF THE KELVIN HALL CIRCUS 6/12/1949.Newsquest Media Group (Image: Newsquest Archive)

Now 56, Margaret remembers attending the Kelvin Hall when the carnival was held alongside the circus.

She said: "I remember going with my mum when I was really young and I have lots of little memories of it.

"You could see all the lights through the glass doors and you could smell the elephants - they were in a big glass cage and we would peer in."

As a teenager, one of her first tastes of freedom was being able to attend the carnival with friends after school.

She said: "Once we were old enough to come along, we would come down on the bus as teenagers. That's when we started going on the scary rides."

High Voltage launch Irn-Bru carnival-JS 2008 (Image: Newsquest Archive)

For Margaret, group operations manager with QD Events, the Irn-Bru Carnival is synonymous with Christmas.

She said: "I don't remember anything before it. I've done the carnival for so long that I don't remember having a job where you are off for your fortnight in the run-up to Christmas.

"If someone says it's four weeks until Christmas, to me, that's four weeks until the carnival."

The sounds and sights of the funfair have the same magical impact today as they once had, she says.

2005 (Image: Newsquest Archive)

2005 (Image: Newsquest Archive)

Margaret added: "It's tradition. And the research that we've done suggests people come because that's what they've always done and that's what they'll continue to do.

"That tradition seems to be carrying on with the younger generation, it's not dying away at all.

"Fairgrounds may be old fashioned but people still want to come."

Organisers pride themselves in staying true to custom without changing the core nature of the event.

Margaret said: "That's what people really like about it. It is what it is."

2006 (Image: Newsquest)

This year, revellers can look forward to a new, "fresh out of the packet" ride alongside favourites like the Waltzer and the Dodgems.

Margaret said: "The operator just picked up the new ride, it's been on the table for a year and a half while being manufactured.

"The new ride will be great and we've got all of our old favourites. We're also adding additional free entertainment."

The Irn-Bru Carnival returns to the SEC from Friday, December 22 to Sunday, January 14.

To find out more, click here.