What's New

• 21 July 2010

  Second batch of acts confirmed for Loopallu

  

  Loopallu is delighted to announce the second batch of acts appearing for it’s sixth outing in the west coast of Scotland’s picturesque village of Ullapool this September.

  First up we can confirm one of the most eagerly anticipated new acts in the UK (having only played 2 London shows to date), Mt Desolation (pictured above) will be joining us on the Saturday in the Big Top.

  Not only is this Alt-County group fronted by Tim Rice-Oxley and Jesse Quin (who are better known in their roles with Keane), their debut album due for release later this year also features performances from members of The Killers, Mumford & Sons, Noah And The Whale, The Long Winters and Pete Roe.

  Also added to the bill are the wonderful Aberfeldy who are set to release their third album ‘Somewhere to Jump From’ on August 23rd and rising traditional music stars Skerryvore.

  These acts join other recent announcements, Scottish indie heroes Idlewild, Turin Brakes who make their first ever Highland Festival appearance, BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards ‘Best Live Act’ (2010) nominee Adrian Edmondson and the Bad Shepherds, local favourites The Vatersay Boys and a touch of electronic folk from Silver Columns.

  The ‘Little Fest in the West’ has built up an amazing reputation over the past five years, becoming the perfect way to say farewell to the festival season.

  Situated in the pretty fishing village of Ullapool, on the shores of Loch Broom in the North West Highlands Loopallu is a weekend for all. With activities for all ages and music for all ears, it’s been described as a family gathering you’d actually like to go to!

  Fantastic local food and drink aplenty along with the now legendary late night fringe throughout the village, which last year included impromptu performances from the likes of Mumford and Sons, promises to make Loopallu yet again the perfect way to finish your festival season.

  Category: National Events
• 20 July 2010

  Hebridian Celtic Festival beats recession and attracts record numbers

  

  Record numbers of visitors from over 100 countries have been attracted to the Outer Hebrides by one of the UK's top music festivals. Over 17,000 attendances were recorded at the four day Hebridean Celtic Festival which took place in Stornoway and other parts of Lewis (14-17 July).

  Visitors from countries such as Australia, the USA, Canada, Germany and France, joined with locals in celebrating the 15th anniversary of the festival.

  Caroline MacLennan, the festival director, said: "We are extremely grateful for the support of our local community, the artistes, the visitors we attract to the festival, and in particular, Runrig. This year we have broken all of our attendance and income records. We sold over 17,000 tickets and brought at least £1.5million into the local economy during the worst economic climate since the Second World War, so this is a major achievement for all concerned. There are communities around the world that would love to have such a successful event on their doorstep.

  "It is vital in these difficult economic times to have support and we're sure the backing we get will help us to continue delivering an excellent festival of music. These record numbers, which we are still counting, justify the backing given to the festival by our financial supporters and sponsors, whose commitment we greatly appreciate."

  Artistes who played at this year's festival include Runrig, Afro Celt Sound System, Imelda May, Julie Fowlis, Treacherous Orchestra, Adrian Edmondson and the Bad Shepherds, Blazin’ Fiddles, Breabach, Iain Morrison, The Fox Hunt, and The Poozies amongst others.

  Category: National Events
• 20 July 2010

  Enjoy the very best of sustainable food and drink at the Big Tent

  

  Big Tent’s One Planet Food Village brings the very best of sustainable food and drink to Scotland’s leading green festival. You will find some of Scotland’s most innovative growers, farmers and artisan producers and all the food is sourced locally and much of it is organic.

  Situated at the centre of the site near the Black Isle Main Stage is a beer tent hosted by the Black Isle Brewery. There is a wide selection of producers from across Fife and beyond catering for vegetarian and carnivores alike who want really good food.

  The home farm at Falkland Estate has been producing a small range of organic food for a few years. Its range includes beef, pork, free range eggs, potatoes and swedes.

  Look out for Falkland Estate pig and beef roasted on spits, great vegetarian food from the Pillars of Hercules and many more delicious produce from some of the most innovative growers, farmers and producers, including; Black Isle Brewery, Cairn O' Mohr, Nelsons of Culross, Laura's Chocolates, Original Smokies from Arbroath, Tunstalls Organic Bakery, Puddledub Buffalo, Sir Walter Raleigh Hot Potatoes, Peelham Farm, Fletchers of Auchtermuchty, Fisher and Donaldsons, Haggis Haggis, The Chocolate Tree, Scottish Catering Enterprise, Fair Shares and Brewsters.

  The Food Demonstration Tent will play host to an array of interesting talks and workshops and there will also be Taste Adventures with Slow Food UK.

  Visitors can also find information on Falkland Centre for Stewardship's One Planet Food project, a project geared to realise a health, sustainable and inclusive food culture.

  Big Tent is part of Scotland’s Land of Food & Drink, which launched in May 2010 and is running until May 2011.  EventScotland is supporting the year-long celebration of Scotland’s reputation as a land of food & drink.

  Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer, EventScotland said: “Big Tent is an exciting event which we are delighted to be supporting as part of Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink initiative that showcases the diversity and quality of Scotland’s larder. It is a fantastic example of Fife Council’s contribution to making Scotland the perfect stage for events.”

  Category: National Events