Ayrshire garden party kicks off after successful funding award
Festival goers will descend on an Ayrshire castle this weekend as an annual music and arts festival gets underway today, Thursday, July 3.
The Kelburn Garden Party kicks off at Kelburn Castle and Estate with activities and events to suit all ages.
Supported by VisitScotland, the festival received a funding grant of £18,500 to help expand the camping infrastructure as well as enhancing sustainability and accessibility on-site with the addition of a recycling hub in the camping area and a Changing Places washroom.
Taking place from July 3 to 7, Kelburn Garden Party is an explosively creative and diverse music and arts festival held in the grounds, glen and moors of the Kelburn Estate - known for its 13th century Graffiti Castle, ancient trees and views of Scotland's western coastline.
The festival is renowned for a high quality and diverse music programming presented alongside a smorgasbord of creativity, commissioned sculpture trails, stunning decor and fun animated attractions hidden throughout the site.
Artists performing over the course of the festival include Jamz Supernova, Osunlade, Sofia Kourtesis, The Allergies, She Drew The Gun and Shooglenifty.
It is more than just a music festival with family-friendly and arts events taking place throughout the weekend.
The Neverending Glen returns for 2025 - a "ground-breaking" immersive multi-arts trail set in the ancient wooded glen that rises above Kelburn's main festival site.
Specifically for children, a programme of events includes The Secret Forest Project, The Lullabies Collective and Kidding Around.
David Boyle, festival director, Kelburn Garden Party, said: "We are very grateful to receive the grant from EventScotland, through their strategic funding they are helping us to meet our growing demand and popularity, as well as strengthening the facilities that we can offer to help meet the changing accessibility needs of the festival's artists, crew and attendees. Without the valuable support from EventScotland, these measures would not be possible."
Rob Dickson, director of industry and events at VisitScotland, said: 'Events play an important role in growing the value of Scotland's visitor economy. As a year-round destination, having a diverse and vibrant portfolio of events taking place across the country ensures there is something for everyone to enjoy when visiting, whether it's from the UK or overseas.
'We are pleased to be supporting Kelburn Garden Party through our National Events Programme to help ensure that the benefits of tourism and events are felt locally, helping foster economic growth and reinforcing Scotland's reputation as a leading tourism and events destination."
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