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.
Whatever your tastes in music there is a music festival in Scotland that features your favorite genre or style. If you like the traditional Scottish tunes, Celtic or Celtic fusion then festivals such as Celtic Connections, or the Hebridean Celtic Festival, showcase some of the finest acts of the moment. If you would rather see popular rock & pop bands or dance the night away to the best DJ's then the likes of Rockness, Wickerman and Tartan Heart will be more to your liking.
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 1st Rockness was only a one day event headlined by Fatboy Slim on the main stage and Daft Punk in the 10,000 capacity tent called the Clash Arena. In the second year the event was extended over two days with the Chemical Brothers headlining. On the second day it was Manic Street Preachers who headlined on the main stage but Daft Punk had returned to appear in the Clash Arena. The second year saw the crowd increase from 10,000 to 30,000 and it seemed all wanted to see Daft Punk. As the Clash Arena only holds 10,000 the sides of the tent were lifted to allow the full crowd to enjoy the performance. Strangely it could be claimed that Daft Punk were the actual headline act as they were certainly the most popular!
The third Rockness was again mainly dance orientated, with Fatboy Slim headlining the first day for a second time, but the second day had more rock and pop acts (similar to the previous year) with the Cribs and Editors supporting the main headlining act, Razorlight. With the Clash Arena and other tents here there and everywhere there was plenty to choose from with Pete Tong and other popular DJ's playing until about 2.00am.
A crowd of thirty five thousand party goers in the confined space of a town center is a policeman's nightmare as it, more often than not, there are numerous arrests, countless fights, many injuries and even deaths. Not so at Rockness, the atmosphere is incredible, everyone smiling and happy with not a care in the world. I did hear that there was one short fight and around ten arrests but this is nothing when you consider the numbers. Sadly one poor lad died which was widely reported in the newspapers but as the cause is not known (and witnesses reported no trouble) it is unwise to speculate. Overall it is one of the most friendly festivals I have visited in nearly 30 years of festival going!
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.
Whatever your tastes in music there is a music festival in Scotland that features your favorite genre or style. If you like the traditional Scottish tunes, Celtic or Celtic fusion then festivals such as Celtic Connections, or the Hebridean Celtic Festival, showcase some of the finest acts of the moment. If you would rather see popular rock & pop bands or dance the night away to the best DJ's then the likes of Rockness, Wickerman and Tartan Heart will be more to your liking.
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 1st Rockness was only a one day event headlined by Fatboy Slim on the main stage and Daft Punk in the 10,000 capacity tent called the Clash Arena. In the second year the event was extended over two days with the Chemical Brothers headlining. On the second day it was Manic Street Preachers who headlined on the main stage but Daft Punk had returned to appear in the Clash Arena. The second year saw the crowd increase from 10,000 to 30,000 and it seemed all wanted to see Daft Punk. As the Clash Arena only holds 10,000 the sides of the tent were lifted to allow the full crowd to enjoy the performance. Strangely it could be claimed that Daft Punk were the actual headline act as they were certainly the most popular!
The third Rockness was again mainly dance orientated, with Fatboy Slim headlining the first day for a second time, but the second day had more rock and pop acts (similar to the previous year) with the Cribs and Editors supporting the main headlining act, Razorlight. With the Clash Arena and other tents here there and everywhere there was plenty to choose from with Pete Tong and other popular DJ's playing until about 2.00am.
A crowd of thirty five thousand party goers in the confined space of a town center is a policeman's nightmare as it, more often than not, there are numerous arrests, countless fights, many injuries and even deaths. Not so at Rockness, the atmosphere is incredible, everyone smiling and happy with not a care in the world. I did hear that there was one short fight and around ten arrests but this is nothing when you consider the numbers. Sadly one poor lad died which was widely reported in the newspapers but as the cause is not known (and witnesses reported no trouble) it is unwise to speculate. Overall it is one of the most friendly festivals I have visited in nearly 30 years of festival going!
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 Inverness hotels at http://www.invernesshotelscotland.com/
