If you are asked to think of Scotland most of us will immediately picture a Scotsman dressed in tartan playing the bagpipes or something equally clich. Of course there are plenty of places across Scotland where you are likely to see a piper in full dress playing a selection of traditional Scottish tunes, especially at, or outside, popular tourist attractions. However Scotland is a thoroughly modern country and, while maintaining a healthy pride in it's past, is forward looking and forever inventive and this is superbly displayed in modern Scottish music. In recent years the United Kingdom has seen a massive increase in the number of music festivals and this is most apparent in Scotland where countless festivals present all forms of music from traditional through to fusion and the latest pop bands and DJ's who appeared at the recent Rockness festival just outside 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.
Of course there are highly specialized music festivals in Scotland which focus solely upon a specific genre of music. However the most highly attended music festivals offer the opportunity to enjoy all types of music with different tents and arenas presenting a different style or genre. While festivals such as the Hebridean Celtic Festival and Celtic Connections focus on traditional and modern Celtic acts, festivals such as Wickerman, Tartan Heart and Rockness present more modern pop sounds and some of the big acts of the day.
Although Rockness is held in rather a remote location (about 8 miles from Inverness) the organizers, Loudsound and Slingshot, have worked miracles to ensure that all the required facilities are in place and there are adequate transportation links. Held on the banks of Loch Ness, Rockness, has the most breathtaking views out across the Loch. In fact the location, Clune Farm, Dores, is amongst the most incredible of all the UK music festivals.
The 24 June 2006 saw the first Rockness headlined by DJ Fatboy Slim and Daft Punk (in the Clash Arena). The second Rockness was held over 2 days and headlined by the Chemical Brothers on the 1st and Manic Street Preachers on the 2nd. However Daft Punk returned to play in the Clash Arena and as the whole 30,000 crowd attempted to fill the Clash Arena tent the organizers were forced to open it's sides which led to claims that it was really Daft Punk who headlined.
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.
Of course there are highly specialized music festivals in Scotland which focus solely upon a specific genre of music. However the most highly attended music festivals offer the opportunity to enjoy all types of music with different tents and arenas presenting a different style or genre. While festivals such as the Hebridean Celtic Festival and Celtic Connections focus on traditional and modern Celtic acts, festivals such as Wickerman, Tartan Heart and Rockness present more modern pop sounds and some of the big acts of the day.
Although Rockness is held in rather a remote location (about 8 miles from Inverness) the organizers, Loudsound and Slingshot, have worked miracles to ensure that all the required facilities are in place and there are adequate transportation links. Held on the banks of Loch Ness, Rockness, has the most breathtaking views out across the Loch. In fact the location, Clune Farm, Dores, is amongst the most incredible of all the UK music festivals.
The 24 June 2006 saw the first Rockness headlined by DJ Fatboy Slim and Daft Punk (in the Clash Arena). The second Rockness was held over 2 days and headlined by the Chemical Brothers on the 1st and Manic Street Preachers on the 2nd. However Daft Punk returned to play in the Clash Arena and as the whole 30,000 crowd attempted to fill the Clash Arena tent the organizers were forced to open it's sides which led to claims that it was really Daft Punk who headlined.
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 Inverness hotels at http://www.invernesshotelscotland.com/
