A compelling choice of events around Loch Ness
The Loch Ness and Inverness area is set to host a packed programme of events for visitors throughout the Spring and Summer months this year – a diverse mix of festivals and events caters for wide-ranging tastes from Kasabian in concert and caber tossing in Inverness to pints at beer festivals and putts at the Scottish Open.
MUSIC FESTIVALS
Music fans flock to the region’s two established music festivals to enjoy exclusive performances in some of the country’s most stunning surroundings. In June festival-goers gather on the very shores of Loch Ness itself for the popular Rock Ness event. This three day festival (10th-12th June) features headline performances from talents such as Kasabian, The Chemical Brothers and Scotland’s own Paolo Nutini.
August 4th sees the start of the three day Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival in a beautiful setting just outside Beauly. This family-friendly and eco-conscious event also attracts true talent, with headliners in recent years including Amy MacDonald, Ocean Colour Scene and Scouting for Girls.
For those who prefer their music with a more traditional local flavour, the area also plays host to a number of events for the Blas festival – a celebration of Gaelic and Highland music that runs across the region from 9th-17th September. Blas highlights for 2011 include al fresco entertainment on the waters of Loch Ness with a floating performance by traditional musicians Allan MacDonald and Friends, as well as an exciting array of events at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness on the banks of the River Ness.
And the traditional theme continues in October when Blazin’ in Beauly (17th-21st October) brings together fiddlers from across the country and further afield for five days of classes, concerts, ceilidhs and craic in the heart of the Highlands.
Visitors looking to discover even more of the region’s history and heritage can take advantage of a selection of other events over the summer season all offering an insight into the area’s unique identity – from Highland Games and agricultural shows to spectator sports such as the Scottish Open Golf and participatory sports such as the Loch Ness Beer Festival.
The month of July sees the arrival of the Scottish Open in the area (7th-10th July), with Castle Stuart Golf Links beginning its three year hosting duties for the event. Set on the shores of the Moray Firth, just a short drive from the city of Inverness, the Open offers fans the opportunity 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.
In September, ale drinkers are drawn to Drumnadrochit for the annual Loch Ness Beer Festival (16th-24th September), held at the Benleva Hotel and showcasing the finest Scottish brews as well as guest appearances from ales from other areas.
HIGHLAND GAMES, FIELD SPORTS FAIRS, AGRICULTURAL SHOWS
Kilts and cabers are the order of the day on 23rd July, when the city of Inverness plays host to the largest of the area’s numerous Highland Games events. The games showcase such Highland arts as Highland dancing and traditional music alongside the special sporting disciplines that have become synonymous with this area of Scotland. The games coincide with the Highland capital’s Armed Forces Day so spectators can also enjoy performances by the military pipes and drums that typify the region’s military traditions and are much in demand at tattoos across the world, including the Inverness Tattoo, which will be held from 8th-13th August.
Other local areas holding their own Highland Gatherings and Games showcasing such traditional disciplines as caber tossing and hammer throwing include Abriachan in June, Glengarry in July and the Loch Ness-side community of Glenurquhart in August.
August in the Highlands brings a chance to try out popular local pastimes, starting with the arrival of the Moy Highland Fields Sports Fair, which offers opportunities to gain an introduction to activities from fly casting to archery. This two day fair (5th-6th August) is a family-friendly event with something on offer to entertain guest of all ages.
And if all this activity and excitement gives visitors to the area an appetite, then there are a range of events showcasing the finest local foodstuffs and offering an insight into the agriculture and industry in the area. Inverness itself hosts regular famers markets throughout the summer season while the Black Isle Show in the first week of August has a superb selection of stalls with enticing local offerings as well as agricultural attractions and events across the weekend.
Further information on the area, accommodation and what’s on around Loch Ness and Inverness at: visitlochness.com
