Yay! Summer is almost upon us. That means only one thing – Festivals! But with so many fabby festivals nationwide…how to choose? Fear not, for your friendly neighbourhood Westender has done the hard work for you. North, South, East, West…which festivals really ARE the best?
Best Summer Festivals Scotland
North
In Inverness each year in May comes a truly hum-dinger of a festival. The Gathering is a one-day celebration of the music, culture, food and drink of the Highlands. The festival always has a fantastic line-up, even if it is, like a May fly, only alive for a day. This year is no different, with Skipinnish, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Calum MacPhail on the programme. I DARE you not to tap your toe. It’s very kiddy friendly with lots for the little ones to see and do. And as it’s all in one day, no complaining from partners about camping.
Then, over the…bridge to Skye Live. In May, this festival celebrates its 10th year. Eclectic to say the least, traditional bands take to the same stage as high energy DJs. The focus of the music festival is to promote the contemporary edge that Skye undoubtedly has become famous for. With two stages set up on Am meal, a hill in Portree, this must surely be one of the most beautiful festivals in the world. And certainly one of the best Summer festivals in Scotland
South
On Islay they have a saying ‘Come for the whisky, return for the island’. Never was a saying so appropriate. Having gone to Islay during the pandemic, never in a million years thinking the distilleries would be closed, I discovered the island of Islay.
Feis Ile – The Islay Festival takes place in the last week of May. If you’ve never been to Islay, this is a good time to go as it is a ten-day celebration of the beautiful island, its culture and of course, Whisky!
And what a time to visit. May in the southern Hebrides is genuinely magical. Never a clearer sky, with the dark of the night only coming around midnight. So that’s plenty of time to enjoy the entertainment on the island.
When we think Islay, we think whisky, which is no bad thing! Each of the Distilleries have their own open days. But add to that, ceilidhs, tours, music as well as the incredible beaches. The glorious scenery makes for a truly spectacular place to enjoy a festival.
Staying in Argyll, take the high road beyond the Rest and Be Thankful to Loch Fyne’s FyneFest. Emblazoned on its advertising is ‘Beer, Music, Food’ – well my work here is done! In all seriousness this is a blinder of a festival, in truth, award-winning. A must for all families, it’s super chilled, being organised by non-other than Fyne Ales and set in the breathtaking Glen Fyne. With 40 live bands, the best street-food in the business and only an hour down the road, it’s growing year on year. And we can see why. Fancy trying one of those rather fine Fyne Ales? Those lovely folk at the brewery have thought of everything, putting a bus on from Buchanan St on the Friday, collecting you from the Brewery on the Sunday. For more information visit – fynefest.com/info/#travel
w:feisile.co.uk (The Islay Festival)
Central
A mid-summer festival in Perthshire and not a standing stone in sight? Bear with me. The Solas Festival is a midsummer festival with a difference. Running since 2009, when this festival says it is inclusive, that’s what it means. Actively welcoming diversity in political views, activism, culture and religion, this festival makes spaces for discussion and debate. Under the wider festival which celebrates music, arts and wellbeing, meet and talk to people who you may not normally socialise with. Experience sound baths, mindfulness, yoga or head to the storytelling area, or to the theatre. Maybe you just want to lie back on the grass and let the music lull you into a midsummer night’s dream.
East
In Edinburgh in June there is only one festival on everyone’s mind…The Royal Highland Show. What’s that you say? Only for ‘Fermers’? Not so! Yes, there’s a few hundred cows and sheep being judged. But there really is so much more to this absolutely HUGE festival. The Scottish Larder, for example. Merely visiting the best in Scottish produce area leaves visitors utterly stuffed with all the free tasting. With oysters, cheeses, artisan breads, preserves, beers and spirits – are you convinced yet?
Okay, well what about the cookery theatre, with top chefs and food writers discussing all your cookery queries? Putting your new recipes in your Barbour pocket, head outside to the showjumping ring and watch some of the best horses and riders in the sport. Take a quick wander to the Forestry Arena to see displays of axe throwing, pole climbing and other forest-y shenanigans. After a quick trip to the Home and Gift Hall to pick up a matching wax hat for your Barbour, end the day at the Royal Highland Hoolie. A night of Scottish folk and Irish country music, paired with some of the rather delectable bread, cheese and a dram purchased earlier. Now THAT’S a festival!
West
Home again, home again jiggety-jig.
The Glasgow 850 event is on all year round and this May and June there are a wealth of festivals under its banner. The Clyde Chorus will be a multi-venue, multi-genre music event, taking place in various established and bespoke venues along the River Clyde in May 2025, celebrating Glasgow’s musical talents. With newcomers and big names side by side on the programme, it’s a festival to be proud of.
As Westender Magazine, no festival guide would be complete without WestFest. For those of us in the West, this is a definite contender as one of the best summer festivals in Scotland. The behemoth that is WestFest, is Glasgow’s newest arts festival and has been part of the pulse of the West End since June 2022. Residents love it and visitors wish they were residents – what a place to live! Across 60 venues in Glasgow’s West End, events take place throughout June.
This year’s WestFest promises ‘an eclectic array of events, performances, and activities. Our favourite street festivals are returning, as well as concerts, community events, workshops, and exhibitions. Our festival highlights are here too with The Big Sunday and Bard in the Botanics. There’s also the Glasgow Vintage Bus Tour and the ever-popular Kelvingrove Outdoor Ceilidh. With so many of the events being free, it’s a great time to be a Westender!
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