THE GUIDE TO SCOTLAND’S FESTIVALS 2016
1–4 SEPTEMBER
2–4 SEPTEMBER
3–4 SEPTEMBER
BATHGATE MUSIC FESTIVAL
PORTPATRICK FOLK FESTIVAL
COMMUNITY / MUSIC Various venues, Bathgate, bathgatemusicfestival.com
MUSIC Various venues, Portpatrick, portpatrickfolkfestival.org
LOCH LOMOND FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL
A community-led music festival, including the Party in the Park, where a funfair accompanies the music. Live@lunch gigs cheer up the middle of the day, if you simply can’t wait for the evening’s fun.
A weekend festival in a picturesque seaside village, with concerts at the village hall and sessions at harbourside pubs on the Friday and Saturday.
1–30 SEPTEMBER
SCOTTISH ARCHAEOLOGY & HERITAGE FESTIVAL
2–4 SEPTEMBER
LINKYLEA FESTIVAL FAMILY / MUSIC Linkylea, Gifford, Haddington, linkyleafestival.org.uk
HERITAGE / SCIENCE Various venues, Scotland, archaeologyscotland.org.uk
Family friendly music festival now in its 12th year raising funds for disadvantaged children and young adults in Gwalior, India.
A month-long, Scotland-wide festival of archaeology.
2–4 SEPTEMBER
1–30 SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBAYR FAMILY / HERITAGE Various venues, Ayr, septembayr.com
A mixed arts festival held during the month of September in the town of Ayr, as the name suggests. Events run the gamut from piano recitals to rock bands, ghost story nights to local history evenings, and attract local and big named acts suitable for adults and children. 2 & 3 SEPTEMBER
JOCKTOBERFEST FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Black Isle Brewery, Old Allangrange, Munlochy, jocktoberfest.com
Follow the Black Isle creed of ‘Save the Planet, Drink Organic’, and feel even more smug about reduced drink miles by drinking their beer just metres from where it is brewed. Also on offer is plenty of live music and bratwurst. 64
MILLPORT COUNTRY & WESTERN FESTIVAL FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Millport, millportcountryandwestern. co.uk
A rootin’ tootin’ weekend of country and western gigs across several venues on the Isle of Cumbrae. 2–4 SEPTEMBER
DUNDEE FLOWER & FOOD FESTIVAL FAMILY / FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Camperdown Country Park, Coupar Angus Road, Dundee, dundeeflowerandfoodfestival. com
A delicious staple in the Dundee calendar, with food and drink tastings, chef demonstrations, live music and competitions including the World Potato Championships and World Jampionships. Once they’ve had enough to eat, shows and face-painting are on hand to entertain the kids.
FAMILY / FOOD & DRINK Loch Lomond Shores, Ben Lomond Way, Balloch, lochlomondfoodanddrink festival.co.uk
Tasty tipples and appetising nibbles on the bonny banks of Loch Lomond. The festival comprises free cookery demonstrations (including a WWII themed one), a farmers’ market, continental market, tasting and sampling sessions, a real ale tent and live music. 3 SEPTEMBER
BRAEMAR GATHERING FAMILY / OUTDOOR Braemar Castle, Braemar, braemargathering.org
Traditional Highland Games events such as Highland dancing, pipe bands and heavy events. 3 SEPTEMBER
SCOTTISH BRAVES HARVEST CHILLI FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK Vinicombe Street, Glasgow, chillifest.net
A celebration of all things chilli, including food and drink and a ‘Clash of the Titans’ chilli eating contest. 3 SEPTEMBER
MIDSTOCK FESTIVAL MUSIC Dalkeith Country Park, Dalkeith, midstockfestival.com
Grown in Scotland morphs into Midstock but the emphasis is still firmly on Scottish bands, DJs and musicians. 2015’s lineup included The Fratellis, Fish, The Hoosiers, Mallorca Lee, Ultra-Sonic, Fatherson and more. LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS