Summer festivals in Inverness
There's no chance of catching the summer time blues in Inverness this year as the city has lined up an unforgettable few months of festival favourites and once-in-a-lifetime events. From birdies and bees, bagpipes and bands, to books, boats and botany - there really is something for everyone!
Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Golf Open, 12th-15th July
The Highlands' newest golf course is rapidly carving out a name on the international circuit, offering fans the chance to witness top level golf in a spectacular setting with panoramic coastal views and a unique opportunity to spot some of the region's resident dolphins. An exciting field of the world's top golfers is lining up for the second Scottish Open at Castle Stuart Golf Links just west of Inverness; and the city itself has lined up three cracking nights of city centre entertainment during the championships.
Inverness Highland Games And Armed Forces Day, 21st July
These games take place in the world's oldest Highland Games stadium at Inverness' Northern Meeting Park where there will be plenty of kilts, cabers and craic in evidence. Entertainment ranges from a mass Highland Fling and massed pipes and drums, the popular heavies competition featuring various traditional sporting disciplines to a traditional music show, Games Day Market and plenty of other attractions both in the stadium and around the city.
Inverness Book Festival, 25th-28th July
All neatly packaged under one roof this small, but perfectly formed book festival brings a programme full of variety for all readers - from Scottish islands to Danish crime and from Midwives Tales to Scottish immigration. There are writers who live in Inverness, explorers of Scottish mountains and a Swedish poet and a rock star coming to give his take on the Loch Ness monster! Families will enjoy star gazing at the Planetarium and there's plenty of fun, free and interactive storytelling, rhyme and play sessions.
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, 3rd-4th August
This family-friendly and eco-conscious event favours a low-fi approach. Music comes from over 90 acts across five stages featuring locally and internationally renowned artists. Headline acts this year include Travis, The Wombats, Frightened Rabbit, Beverley Knight and a host of other true talent.
Inverness Raft Race, 18th August
You don't have to join in the raft race to have a good time! The teams make a huge effort not only to amuse the crowds with their skill on the water, their home-made raft creations and 'designer' attire, but they have a tendency to be very competitive in their efforts to support the work of the local branch of CHILDREN 1ST.
Summer In The City, 23rd-26th August
August in Inverness is definitely music month. An unprecedented assembly of talent is lining up in Inverness over four days starting with JLS who will be playing their first ever Inverness gig; Status Quo head to the Highland capital to rock the Ness; on the Saturday Runrig will be bringing one of their legendary open-air concerts to town, their only outdoor Scottish gig this year; and the final concert of the weekend sees Jools Holland take to the stage with his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. Phew!
Inverness Flower Festival, 25th-26TH August
The very best of flowers, fruit and vegetables that Inverness gardeners can produce and a fabulous selection of displays, demonstrations and talks all go to make up Inverness Horticultural Society's annual show. And you'll find that The British Cactus and Succulent Society (Highland Branch), The Highland Bonsai Society, The Inverness Floral Art Club, The Inverness-shire Bee-keepers Association and The Inverness and District Fuchsia Society will have something special in store too.
For more summer events in Inverness and for further information on what to do and where to stay in the city check out inverness-scotland.com.
