Rockness and Music Festivals in Scotland
Scotland is know throughout the world for many things including tartan and bagpipes and when many are asked about Scottish music it is the bagpipes that most bring to mind first. The bagpipes appear all over Scotland and many of the most popular tourist attractions often feature a piper in full traditional dress banging out a few well known tunes. Used heavily in warfare the sound of the bagpipes is very distinctive, and many would describe it as terrifying however there is much, much more to Scottish music than bagpipes and ceilidh bands. In recent years the UK has seen a massive increase in the number of annual music festivals and in Scotland there are a few well worth a mention such as the relatively new Rockness music festival near Inverness.
Music has always had a vital role to play in the culture of the nation of Scotland. From the imposing sounds of the bagpipes on the battlefield to the traditional folk songs documenting historic events music and onto the sounds of the Gaelic Psalms and the fun of the traditional ceilidh band, music appears in most aspects of Scottish life and history. However Scottish music has never remained static, it is forever changing as new influences take hold and new instruments and technologies are developed the sounds of Scotland have embraced change. Today the music of Scotland is amongst the most diverse of any nation from the staunch traditionalists to the bold new pop acts all are distinctively Scottish in essence and there are many music festivals to choose from where you can hear the very best of Scotland alongside others from around the world.
Scottish music festivals cater for all tastes in music and, whatever style or genre you appreciate most, there is bound to be a festival suitable for you. If you enjoy traditional Celtic sounds and some of the modern fusion bands then a visit to Celtic Connections of the Hebridean Celtic Festival will introduce you to both the well known and the most modern Celtic influenced acts around. On the other hand if you prefer the more modern sounds the likes of Tartan Heart, Wickerman and Rockness present a mix of the most modern and popular acts alongside the up and coming acts of the future.
Rockness, being only it's thrid year, is one of Scotland's youngest music festivals but this year over 35,000 people attended. Taking place at Clune Farm, Dores (not too far from Inverness) the music festival has one of the most astounding locations on the banks of Loch Ness. Staged by Loudsound and Slingshot, Rockness may well be in a rural and remote setting but great care is taken to ensure that the traffic and superb transportation links flow freely and smoothly.
The first festival was held on Saturday 24 June 2006 and was mainly a dance event headlined by the popular DJ Fatboy Slim on the main stage and Daft Punk in the Clash Arena (a big top tent) with an attendance of around 10,000. The following year saw the event extended to two days. Again it was mainly a dance event with the Chemical Brothers headlining the first day and the rock act Manic Street Preachers headlining the second. Daft Punk again appeared in the Clash Arena which held only 10,000 capacity, as it was soon filled the sides of the tent were soon lifted to allow the full, 30,000 strong, crowd to enjoy their performance.
In it's third year Rockness retained the two day format with the first day being primarily a dance event (with Fatboy Slim headlining for the 2nd time) and the second day having a number of rock/pop acts performing (Razorlight headlining the main stage). With a crowd estimated at 35,000+ the site appeared crowded at times but the Clash Arena and smaller tents provided entertainment by the likes of Underworld and Pete Tong. When the main event was over the smaller tents continued until the early hours and the party continued in the camp sites until the next day!
Imagine a city center crowded with 35,000 revelers and then consider how much trouble and arrests there would be? Well Rockness had such a crowd and there were only about ten arrests. Unfortunately one poor soul died (cause not known) but the whole event was full of happy, friendly and helpful people with no sign of trouble anywhere. I believe there was one fight which was quickly sorted but I personally witnessed a massive number of acts of kindness.
Even more family friendly are the music festivals, Tartan Heart and Wickerman. These events are astounding in that the crowds are ultra friendly and the sight of small children and toddlers playing is not unusual and even babies attend, There are even baby changing facilities! At these festivals the parents are always responsible and the kids are seen wearing ear defenders when they are anywhere near the loud music. Festivals in Scotland are amongst the most friendly in the world.
Music has always had a vital role to play in the culture of the nation of Scotland. From the imposing sounds of the bagpipes on the battlefield to the traditional folk songs documenting historic events music and onto the sounds of the Gaelic Psalms and the fun of the traditional ceilidh band, music appears in most aspects of Scottish life and history. However Scottish music has never remained static, it is forever changing as new influences take hold and new instruments and technologies are developed the sounds of Scotland have embraced change. Today the music of Scotland is amongst the most diverse of any nation from the staunch traditionalists to the bold new pop acts all are distinctively Scottish in essence and there are many music festivals to choose from where you can hear the very best of Scotland alongside others from around the world.
Scottish music festivals cater for all tastes in music and, whatever style or genre you appreciate most, there is bound to be a festival suitable for you. If you enjoy traditional Celtic sounds and some of the modern fusion bands then a visit to Celtic Connections of the Hebridean Celtic Festival will introduce you to both the well known and the most modern Celtic influenced acts around. On the other hand if you prefer the more modern sounds the likes of Tartan Heart, Wickerman and Rockness present a mix of the most modern and popular acts alongside the up and coming acts of the future.
Rockness, being only it's thrid year, is one of Scotland's youngest music festivals but this year over 35,000 people attended. Taking place at Clune Farm, Dores (not too far from Inverness) the music festival has one of the most astounding locations on the banks of Loch Ness. Staged by Loudsound and Slingshot, Rockness may well be in a rural and remote setting but great care is taken to ensure that the traffic and superb transportation links flow freely and smoothly.
The first festival was held on Saturday 24 June 2006 and was mainly a dance event headlined by the popular DJ Fatboy Slim on the main stage and Daft Punk in the Clash Arena (a big top tent) with an attendance of around 10,000. The following year saw the event extended to two days. Again it was mainly a dance event with the Chemical Brothers headlining the first day and the rock act Manic Street Preachers headlining the second. Daft Punk again appeared in the Clash Arena which held only 10,000 capacity, as it was soon filled the sides of the tent were soon lifted to allow the full, 30,000 strong, crowd to enjoy their performance.
In it's third year Rockness retained the two day format with the first day being primarily a dance event (with Fatboy Slim headlining for the 2nd time) and the second day having a number of rock/pop acts performing (Razorlight headlining the main stage). With a crowd estimated at 35,000+ the site appeared crowded at times but the Clash Arena and smaller tents provided entertainment by the likes of Underworld and Pete Tong. When the main event was over the smaller tents continued until the early hours and the party continued in the camp sites until the next day!
Imagine a city center crowded with 35,000 revelers and then consider how much trouble and arrests there would be? Well Rockness had such a crowd and there were only about ten arrests. Unfortunately one poor soul died (cause not known) but the whole event was full of happy, friendly and helpful people with no sign of trouble anywhere. I believe there was one fight which was quickly sorted but I personally witnessed a massive number of acts of kindness.
Even more family friendly are the music festivals, Tartan Heart and Wickerman. These events are astounding in that the crowds are ultra friendly and the sight of small children and toddlers playing is not unusual and even babies attend, There are even baby changing facilities! At these festivals the parents are always responsible and the kids are seen wearing ear defenders when they are anywhere near the loud music. Festivals in Scotland are amongst the most friendly in the world.
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Rockness is over for another year (see Rockness Photos) but if you are planning to visit Inverness see our listings of hotels in Inverness at http://www.invernesshotelscotland.com/
posted by Marcondes Allen at 9:56 PM
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