logo
Scotland's 10 best summer festivals that are not Edinburgh Festival

Scotland's 10 best summer festivals that are not Edinburgh Festival

So what other festival treats can we snaffle up in Scotland over the summer? Here are 10 that might just be worth risking the weather for.
TRNSMT is Glasgow's big summer music festival (Image: free) Eden Festival
Moffat, June 12-15
Growing out of the Wickerman Festival, Eden is now in its 14th year and prides itself on being a family-friendly festival with activities for all ages. Wellness is a big strand of the festival with an extensive programme of workshops (if you've ever wanted to make nipple tassels, well, here's your chance). But of course the main draw will be its wildly eclectic music programme (more than 250 acts over 10 stages) which takes in DJs, Dub and Jungle sound systems, English punk duo Bob Vylan, Africa's Orchestra Baobab, American hip-hop group Slum Village and Scotland's own The Bluebells. Someone in that line-up is going to get those tassels twirling, surely?
edenfestival.co.uk
The Bluebells (Image: free) Solas Festival
Errol Park, Perthshire, June 20-22
'A Summer Celebration of Music, Arts and Wellbeing' is the pitch for this bespoke festival located between Perth and Dundee. That means everything from yoga sessions to spoon carving and Indian Head Massages. There's also music and arts onsite, with appearances from the likes of headliner Hamish Hawk, Scottish folk band Kinnaris Quartet and Iranian classical musician Aref Ghorbani, as well as a literature programme that features Len Pennie.
solasfestival.co.uk
Len Pennie (Image: free) East Neuk Festival
Fife, June 25-29
No one ever needs an excuse to visit the East Neuk, but this festival is a gorgeous optional extra at the end of June. Classical music is at the heart of it and it takes place in churches and town halls in Crail, Anstruther, Kilrenny, Cellardyke, and on Bowhouse Farm. This year's programme sees a focus on Beethoven's Late Quartets and Schubert Song Cycles, and features an impressive array of classical musicians including Diyang Mei, the Belcea, Castilian, Elias and Pavel Haas Quartets, Sally Beamish, tenor Mark Padmore and baritone James Newby. Jazz is represented by the Euan Stevenson Trio and the Tom Smith Septet. Pipe player Kathryn Tickell's show is already a sellout, but there will be a chance to see oud maestro Nizar Rohana. And guitarist Sean Shibe will be giving a number of performances over the long weekend.
Nizar Rohana (Image: Nizar Rohana)
If this gives you a taste for classical music near the seaside then you should check out the Lammermuir Festival in East Lothian (lammermuirfestival.co.uk) in September.
eastneukfestival.com
Kelburn Garden Party
Kelburn Castle and Estate, Ayrshire, July 3-7
Back for a 15th year, Kelburn Garden Party is a little mini Glastonbury in the middle of Ayrshire. Combining music, art installations and theatre, it's the chance to lose yourself just off the A78. The music programme is eclectic with a capital E. Peruvian singer-songwriter Soufia Kourtesis will make her Scottish debut, Drum 'n' bass master Dillinja will also be on hand and there will be sets from Jamz Supernova, Shooglenifty and The Rebecca Vasmant Ensemble. And, of course, you have to explore the Neverending Glen.
kelburngardenparty.com
HebCelt Festival
Isle of Lewis, July 16-19
HebCelt is nearly 30 now and it's now difficult to imagine a Scottish summer without it. This year's music programme mixes up Scottish folk, trad and pop names, with Tide Lines, Eddi Reader, pedal harpist and clarsach player Ciorstaidh Beaton, Kassidy and the indestructible Lulu all booked to play (and that's just a small sample of the line-up). NB, this is a festival where the majority of acts are women. There are certain Glasgow festivals that might take a lesson. Meanwhile, An Lanntair will also be hosting music events alongside a hat making workshop and a couple of ceilidhs.
hebceltfest.com
TravFest25
Edinburgh, July 25-August 24
Lucie Barat (Image: Corinne Cumming)
Breaching my 'strictly no Edinburgh guidelines', it seems worth flagging up the Traverse Theatre's festival programme which features three world premieres, three UK premieres and three Scottish premieres amongst its 12 productions. This summer will see the return of John Tiffany, former associate director of the National Theatre of Scotland, who's teaming up with writer Johnny McKnight to direct She's Behind You, exploring our love of panto. Meanwhile, Lucie Barat - sister of Libertines frontman Carl Barat - is bringing her autobiographical play Standing in the Shadows of Giants to Edinburgh for its world premiere. Other shows hail from Belfast and Nova Scotia.
traverse.co.uk
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
Inverness, July 31-August 2
Now 21 years old, Belladrum has a line-up that might be aiming at the older brothers and sisters of TRNSMT attendees. Or maybe even their parents. This year's headliners are Texas, Supergrass and Paul Heaton (formerly of The Housemartins and The Beautiful South), with a supporting line that includes Tom Walker, Natasha Bedingfield, English rapper Example, the wonderful CMAT (the world's best pop star right now) and, umm, Gok Wan. Inevitably, there's a strong Scottish folk strand to the programme, with the likes of Karine Polwart and Tide Lines performing. And Doctor Who fans take note, recent The Herald Magazine cover star Peter Capaldi will also be playing.
tartanheartfestival.com
Fringe By the Sea
North Berwick, August 1-10
This seaside adjunct to the main events in the capital has been going for the best part of two decades now and it provides a sweet-and-salty alternative to battling through the crowds on the Royal Mile. This year's line-up is typically eclectic, with everyone from Ruby Wax and Joe Wicks to Rory Stewart and Artie's Singing Kettle making an appearance. As well as a new music film festival event, music highlights include Hamish Hawk (clearly a mainstay on this year's festival circuit), Eddi Reader (ditto), Pictish Trail, Ezra Collective, Dave from Blur talking and DJing and, best of all, French synth duo Air, in town to perform their classic 1998 album Moon Safari in full. It's an album that sounded like a dreamy, hazy long-ago memory back then. What will it sound like now?
Oh and The Boomtown Rats are about too, if that's your kind of thing.
fringebythesea.com
Nairn Book and Arts Festival
Nairn, August 30-September 7
Sally Magnusson (Image: JULIE HOWDEN)
The programme for this year's Highland celebration of literature, music, visual art and film will be announced later this month, but last year saw Sally Magnusson, Irvine Welsh and Jackie Kay all visit the Moray Firth. Team it up with a visit to the Wigtown Book Festival at the end of September and you'll have covered the country.
nairnfestival.co.uk
Lochaber Live
Fort William, September 12-14
Locabher no more, no more. (Sorry, not sorry.) After a 30-year absence, Lochaber Live has been brought back to life thanks to Manran's Gary Innes. Following last year's revival, it returns this September to An Aird Shinty Field in Fort WIlliam, with a programme full of familiar trad and folk names including Karen Matheson, The Peatbog Faeries, Trail West, Breabach, Cara DIllon, Fara and Manran, obviously.
Fort William gets a bad name (it was voted 'worst place to visit in Scotland' last year), but it has a fine bookshop, a great cinema, and couldn't be better located. The revival of Lochaber Live is another step in the revival of the place. And how many times can you combine a festival weekend with a walk up Ben Nevis?
tartanheartfestival.com

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Still Game star taking part in gala day football match
Still Game star taking part in gala day football match

Glasgow Times

time39 minutes ago

  • Glasgow Times

Still Game star taking part in gala day football match

Peterson Park's Gala Day is taking place on Saturday, June 14, featuring a special celebrity football match with participants including Scottish actor Sanjeev Kohli. The actor, known for his role as shopkeeper Navid Harrid in the popular series, will be taking part in the upcoming all-star match at the Glasgow park. Read more: Search for bargains at free family event in Glasgow Held at Peterson Park in Glasgow, the gala day promises a full programme of family-friendly fun, with the celebrity match expected to be a major highlight for attendees of all ages. Alongside the football, visitors can expect to enjoy food stalls, bouncy castles, dancing displays, and even a dog of the year show. The event aims to bring the community together for a day of entertainment, local pride, and summer celebration.

Si Ferry to open Italian restaurant Grosso in Dennistoun
Si Ferry to open Italian restaurant Grosso in Dennistoun

Glasgow Times

time42 minutes ago

  • Glasgow Times

Si Ferry to open Italian restaurant Grosso in Dennistoun

Si Ferry, assistant manager at East Kilbride FC and presenter of the Open Goal podcast, is set to open an Italian restaurant called Grosso at 424 Duke Street in Dennistoun. The venue, expected to open in August, will occupy a unit that formerly housed a Lloyds TSB bank. READ MORE: Foodies hail new Glasgow restaurant as 'fantastic addition' to busy area Glasgow World has revealed early plans for the restaurant, which include striking tiled interiors, an open kitchen with a pizza oven, and seating for up to 50 guests. Construction is currently underway, led by a team of builders working to a design created by Glasgow-based Lucid Interiors — the award-winning studio behind projects such as The Gleneagles Hotel, The Fingal in Leith, and Seamill Hydro. Si told Glasgow World: 'When I lived in Dennistoun, this is the type of place I was looking for, somewhere everyone can come, really affordable, good food that folk will love. "I want this to be for local people and I want people to come to Dennistoun for breakfast, lunch or dinner and go to some of the other bars as well." READ MORE: Glasgow shopping centre welcomes exciting new food spot Ferry, originally from Dundee, began his football career as a youth player at Celtic. As host of the Open Goal podcast, he has interviewed many leading figures in Scottish football and taken the show live to venues including The Hydro and SWG3. Now focused on bringing his dream restaurant to life, Ferry is curating a menu inspired by his favourite dishes, developed with the help of two talented chefs — pizza specialist Ally Beattie and award-winning pasta chef Chris Rouse. The menu will feature a blend of comforting and elevated Italian favourites. Early dishes include prawn and crab linguine, 12-hour longhorn beef shin ragù, crispy roast chicken penne, and spaghetti rigate with vodka sauce. Pizzas will range from classics like margherita and pepperoni to sausage and pepper, with room for more adventurous toppings. READ MORE: New Colombian food spot opens up at the Barras Ferry revealed that the collaboration with his chefs came about through a chance conversation with former footballer Aiden McGeady: 'I met Aiden McGeady, just by chance, and said I was thinking about the restaurant. "When I said it would be Italian, he said Chris Rouse is your guy. Chris actually played at Celtic with me when he was a young kid. "I didn't remember that, but I did remember him from when he was at Celino's. I tried a couple of his pasta dishes and I just fell in love with his food. "The three of us have got together and we've come up with this concept of Grosso.' Si's passion for food is deep-rooted and, by his own admission, played a role in his football journey. He shared: 'Food was a big part of what happened in my football career. I was always overweight when I played football. I was told to stay on a strict diet but we had an Italian restaurant at the bottom of the road when I was at Swindon, Fratellis. "I ended up being really good pals with the owner, I still speak to him now, they had a chicken and asparagus risotto that would blow your mind - full of cream and butter, I was eating that about four times a week. 'That's probably the reason my football career went the way it did - fantastic Italian food. "So I may as well make a new career out of that. I think, for footballers, you live such a rigid life with food Monday to Friday, maybe on a weekend, you get some pizza or pasta and it's something to look forward to. 'Friends, I have in football like Scott Arfield and Charlie Mulgrew, they are excited about the restaurant. "I've asked Slaney to talk to Kieran Tierney about visiting. I've invited Lewis Capaldi to come in as well. "I'm actually doing a bit of training now to help out front of house. It will be nice to have people I've known for years coming in with their families and enjoying the food. "Most of all, I'm looking forward to the people who live here in Dennistoun seeing what we are going to do.' Grosso will join a strong lineup of local food and drink favourites along Duke Street, including Tibo, Redmond's, Zennor, Coia's, La Bodega, and Mesa — further cementing Dennistoun's growing reputation as a vibrant destination for dining and hospitality.

If I weren't a chef - I might have ended up as an extra on EastEnders
If I weren't a chef - I might have ended up as an extra on EastEnders

The Herald Scotland

timean hour ago

  • The Herald Scotland

If I weren't a chef - I might have ended up as an extra on EastEnders

Located in one of the city's oldest neighbourhoods, the building was once among the first public houses in the capital. Montrose is led by the Radford family, the team behind Timberyard and is their second project, opened in 2023 as a relaxed neighbourhood counterpart. It serves generous, modern dishes and low-intervention European wines in an ethereal space with gothic accents. Sustainability lies at the core of Montrose's philosophy. The kitchen focuses on waste reduction, using a 'nose to tail' and 'root to shoot' approach to ensure minimal waste and maximum flavour. Montrose works closely with a select group of local farms to source ingredients that are dictated by the seasons, and the restaurant's design and operational choices are made with sustainability in mind. Read more: This week, Montrose head chef Moray Lamb answers takes on our Q&A: What was your first kitchen job? Oloroso in Edinburgh, a shocking 14 years ago. Where is your favourite place to eat out? In Edinburgh, L'Escargot Bleu Restaurant is a timeless classic. Traditional French food with brilliant Scottish ingredients. What is your guilty pleasure meal? Anything Sichuan with all the offal-y bits. Can you share a memory of your worst kitchen disaster? Undercooking beef Wellingtons for a wedding party. What is your signature dish? I don't have one, I don't really think I'll ever have a signature dish. I like changing the menu too often. Who would you say is your biggest inspiration? The staff. Talking daily about dishes, wine, and what we want to achieve within the restaurant is a big inspiration and drive for me. What is one of your pet peeves as a chef? Chefs who don't get excited about food and drink. If you weren't a chef, what do you think you would be doing with your life? I once was an aspiring actor. I probably would have ended up as an extra on EastEnders. Pictured: Montrose head chef Moray Lamb (Image: Supplied) What's your favourite trick for making cooking at home easier? Deliveroo. What has been one highlight that stands out in your career so far? Being part of an opening team for a restaurant is something I see as a highlight. I've been part of several openings now, and it's always so rewarding seeing people and an idea come together

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store