Loch Ness launches monster programme of summer festivals & events

Whenever you choose to visit Loch Ness, there’s a packed programme of events and festivals on offer throughout the spring and summer months to suit all ages and tastes. Here is a small selection of some of the festivals and events visitors can look forward to:

Inverness Whisky Festival, 5th & 6th April: Housed in the fabulously rustic surroundings of Bogbain Farm, the 2013 whisky festival is shaping up to be the biggest yet. Scores of distilleries will have dozens of drams to sample, and there will be plenty of top quality food, live music, talks, masterclasses and more.

Glen Affric Walking Festival, 24th-27th May: Set amidst arguably the most beautiful glen in Scotland, the 10th Outta Affric will see walkers journeying around and up and down Munros and Corbetts as they acquire new skills and an increased awareness of this outstanding wild and mountainous environment.

Rock Ness, 7th-9th June: This thumping, award-winning monster of a festival has still to unveil the complete line-up for this year, but some of the first names announced include Example, Madness, The Vaccines, Ben Howard, Ellie Goulding, Newton Faulkner and Plan B. With its electric atmosphere and possibly the most beautiful festival site in the world, Rock Ness is the best kick-start to the summer.

Scottish Open, Castle Stuart, 11th-14th July: The Scottish Open returns to Castle Stuart, just outside Inverness, for the third successive year. Set on the shores of the Moray Firth, the Open offers fans the chance to witness top level golf in a spectacular setting, with panoramic coastal views and the unique opportunity to spot some of the region’s resident dolphins, before heading off to sample some of the other stunning local courses open to enthusiasts, from Nairn to Dornoch.

Belladrum Festival, 2nd & 3rd August: 2013 is Belladrum’s 10th anniversary and they’re promising one helluva party. This festival, homegrown in the Highlands, is a family-friendly and eco-conscious event which attracts true talent from all over. Headliners in recent years include Travis, the Wombats, Ocean Colour Scene and Scouting for Girls.

Glenquhart Highland Games, Drumnadrochit, 24th August: Check out the kilts and cabers as Drumnadrochit plays host to one of the area’s numerous Highland Games events. The games showcase arts such as Highland dancing and traditional music alongside the special sporting disciplines such as caber tossing and hammer throwing that have become synonymous with this region of Scotland. Be sure not to miss the Old Scottish Kilt Race on the day

Loch Ness Beer Festival, 20th-28th September: This is the longest running beer festival in the Highlands, sourcing some of the finest ales from all over Scotland. Now there’s a ‘guest brewery’ from south of the border each year, and no beer festival (including this one) is complete with out live music including traditional Scottish, folk, pop and jazz.

Check out visitlochness.com for details of the full programme of events and festivals around Loch Ness, as well as what to see and do and where to stay in the area.