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Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2012

Billed as the “friendliest and wackiest” festival of the summer, the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival will boldly compete for its loyal audience on August 3-4 against the 2012 London Olympics that will just be swinging into full gear. Actually, the organizers are considering the date an advantage since it means they can offer a weekend refuge to Brits looking to escape from the thundering city crowd but still in the mood to indulge in the summer party spirit.

Stage at the Belladrum Estate

Set on the enchanting Belladrum Estate outside Inverness, the majestic grounds embrace the beauty of the Highlands with formal Italian terraced gardens, ancient trees and sweeping meadows. With so much room to spread out, the festival has a down-home family atmosphere that welcomes campers and provides RV hookups for the big rigs.

Of course, there is music — fives stages in all are scattered throughout the grounds with lots of impromptu performances by attendees. Local and international musicians perform traditional Celtic songs and dances on the main stage and on the other stages everything from folk music to blues to rock and roll is possible, its literally a smorgasbord of talent.

But the music is just part of the fun, you’ll find great food, drink and cool shopping along with massage tents and alternative therapy healers who will share their secret remedies and techniques. Kids have their own special section of the estate where they can romp and join in group activities. Inside, there is a sit-down cinema showing independent films and documentaries.

Band at the Belladrum Festival

For the deep thinkers in the crowd, they offer the Verb Garden — an area just for poetry, debate and comedy. Over at the fruit n’ veg stand you can stock up on organic and homemade goodies to enjoy while watching the street theater performers pull off an eclectic dance routines in their bare feet or wander over to the Venus Flytrap Palais, the stage that plays host to weird and wonderful acts that you won’t see anywhere else.

On the Thursday night before the actual event, the Crack It Open Ceilidh provides an excellent warm up to the festivities. The finale on Saturday is the Invenetian Masked Ball where everyone is encouraged to dress as their favorite fantasy character and push the party to new heights. The Tartan Heart Fringe is the underlying program theme as the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival logo suggests, and many participants use the opportunity to trot out their full highland regalia.

The sleeper train from London makes it an easy trip to Inverness or it is only an hour and a half flight from London with a 45 minute drive to the estate.

Picture Credit:

1. Allgigs.co.uk

2. Whatsonwhen.com

3. Fools Paradise Blog