4 - 11 AUGUST
Skandia Cowes Week
Cowes, Isle of Wight. Free. wwwskandiacowesweekcouk. 01983 295 744
In a nutshell In the waters of the Solent over 1000 yachts and 8500 competitors take part in this week- Iong regatta attracting national and international entrants. from true amateurs to Olympic and World champions. The largest and longest running regatta in the world. Skandia Cowes Week began in 1826 and has only paused for two world wars. Over the course of the competition it attracts over 100.000 visitors to the Isle of Wight, made up of not only sailing enthusiasts. but people wishing to soak up the atmosphere of one of the world‘s most exciting sailing events. Typical festival goer For those who love sailing and spectator sports.
4 - 12 AUGUST
Pittenweem Arts Festival
Pittenweem. East Neuk of Fife. Exhibitions free. prices vary for other events. www.pittenweemartsfestival.co.uk. 01333 313 903
In a nutshell 25.000 visitors are set to descend on the small fishing village of Pittenweem for this. the 25th arts festival. A huge variety of exhibitions take over local residents' houses and other buildings. including work by Joachim Rbmer and Takaya Fujii. This year's invited artists are Elizabeth Blackadder and John Houston. There’s an extensive bill of live music featuring John Huston, Rocket 88 and The Edinburgh Ouartet. Typical festival goer Art enthusiasts and day trippers.
6 - 12 AUGUST
Piping Live
Glasgow. Various venues. Prices vary. www.pipingfestival.co.uk
In a nutshell Glasgow’s festival of piping returns with the best in Scottish and international piping talent to celebrate the finest current and emerging piping music. Some of the biggest names in piping
18 THE LIST 7-21 Jun 2007
will be performing in outdoor spaces and venues throughout Glasgow city centre for this uniquely Scottish event. Typical festival goer For those who love the sound of pipes.
8 - 15 AUGUST
Sziget Island
Budapest. Hungary. Obudai Island. 9:79-99 (week) wwwszigetfestivalcom. 00 36 1 372 0685
In a nutshell One of the festival scene's most original locations. Obudai Island is situated in the middle of the Danube. The 20 minute ride out whets your appetite for what will be a week of madness and sensory stimulation. This year features The Killers. Pink, The Chemical Brothers. Faithless, Mika. The Hives and Bazorlight. Typical festival goer For adventure lovers seeking something a bit different.
10 - 11 AUGUST
Belladrum Tartan Heart Music Festival Italian Gardens. Beauly. lnverness-shire. $370 (weekend pass); free (accompanied under 12s) www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk. 01463 741 366
In a nutshell The entertainment runs from ‘invenetian' masked balls to ground thumping ceilidhs whilst the live music bill includes The Magic Numbers. Alabama 3. Julien Cope. Amy MacDonald. String Driven Thing. The Peatbog Faeries and Turing. Typical festival goer Upbeat hedonists everywhere.
17 - 19 AUGUST
Green Man Festival
Glanusk Park. Brecon Beacons. i235 (Live-in vehicle): C98 (Adult weekend). wwwthegreenmanfestival.co.uk 0870 667 799
In a nutshell Held in the Brecon Beacons national park. GMF includes a wealth of different options such as cinema. DJ. literature and children's tents as well as on-site specialists in massage and alternative therapies. Typical festival goer For those who appreciate a mix of beauty. health and entertainment.
18 AUGUST
Runrig
Borlum Farm, Drumnadrochit. Loch Ness. £30. $12 (under 123). $2100 (family ticket). www.runrig.co.uk/lochness. 01456 459 086
In a nutshell As the name hints. this bash focuses on major Scottish band Runrig who will be playing at the idyllic venue on the shores of Loch Ness. The supporting acts include the Red Hot Chili Pipers. Wolfstone. Aberfeldy and The Vatersay Boys. Typical festival goer Lovers of old school performance and a traditional big gig night.
BACK TO THE ROOTS
21 - 22 JULY lnverness Highland Games
lnverness. 522-6. wwwinverness highlandgamescom, 01463 724262
In a nutshell Part of Highland 2007. this event features the full range of modern sports events as well as traditional ones like the caber throw. Scots hammer throw and the stone throw.
20 - 21 J U N E
Stonehenge
Stonehenge, Wiltshire. Free, wwwstonehengecouk, 0870 333 1 181
In a nutshell This festival celebrates the ancient rights and traditions that surround the stone circle. It aims to educate and keep such ancient lore alive through participation and education and centres around the ancient celebration of Summer Solstice when the pagan sun god comes to the peak of ascendance.
20 - 21 JULY
Wickerman Festival
East Kirkcarswell Farm. Dundrennan. $45-65. www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk.
01738 450442
In a nutshell Now in its fifth year. Wickerman, which is headlined by The Proclaimers this year. is a haven for those who are disillusioned with the commercialism of larger festivals. There is a children‘s area and tents devoted to a wide variety of music styles. The high point is the torching of a 30ft Wickerman on the Saturday night. which symbolises the renewal and cleansing of the spirit.
3 A U G U ST
Burry Man
South Oueensferiy. West Lothian. Free. 07751 897 692
In a nutshell This event is so named after the burry man (a local volunteer) who is dressed in flannel and covered head to food in burrs which cling to his body. He is then paraded around the town. The Burry Man is believed to be an ancient Pagan festival used to sustain local beliefs through the oppression of Christianity in the middle ages and represents a celebration of the turning of the seasons. The day includes a fair with stalls of traditional food and entertainment.
1 S E PT E M B E R
Braemar Gatherlng
Braemar, Nr Balmoral. 5213-15. www.braemargathering.org. 013397 41098
In a nutshell Situated only a mile away from Balmoral. and attended by the Queen. this event has been going in one form or another for over 900 years and sees the best of Scotland '3 pipe bands competing alongside traditional games. The tug of war is a hotly contested event each year