side of the day of tomato throwing (22 Sep—S Sep) and attracts over 30,000 visitors. Typical festival goer Fans of fine food, fine weather. great music . . . and tomato fights.
31 AUGUST - 2 SEPTEMBER
Connect
Inveraray Castle. Argyll. E105 (weekend) or 53126 if camping; 5245-60 (single day). www.connectmusicfestival.com. 0870 169 0100 In a nutshell A new festival from the guys who brought us T in the Park. Connect boasts gourmet food. high end accommodation and one of Scotland's most beautiful settings at Inverary Castle on the banks of Loch Fyne in addition to a bill of great acts. They include Beastie Boys. Primal Scream. Bjork. The Jesus 8 Mary Chain. C88. The Only Ones. LCD Soundsystem. Idlewild and Tily 8 the Wall. Typical festival goer For the indie rock connoisseur looking for something a bit special.
31 AUGUST - 2 SEPTEMBER
Dundee Flower and Food Festival Camperdown Country Park. Dundee. Free www.dundeeflowerandfoodfestival.com
01382 434 940
In a nutshell The festival (main pic) includes floral displays. cookery demonstrations. crafts and kids' activities. Celebrity gardener Carol Klein (Gardener's World) and chef James Martin (Saturday Kitchen) will be divulging industry tips to the public and possibly to the winner of the School Super Chef. open to high school pupils. While mostly comprised of demonstrations and displays there are ample opportunities for interactive learning and sampling the creations throughout the festival. Typical festival goer For foodies and floral enthusiasts.
1- 2 SEPTEMBER
Edinburgh Mela
Pilrig Park. Edinburgh. Free (individual events vary) wwwedinburgh-melacouk, 0131 339 3683
In a nutshell Founded 12 years ago. the Mela is a celebration of the growing ethnic diversity of Edinburgh. Crowds in excess of 60,000 are expected to attend this year. to sample amazing world cuisine. crafts. music. culture and fashion. The festival aims to bring people together in a relaxed atmOSphere to foster cultural harmony and greater understanding. Typical festival goer For those who like an alternative experience.
22 THE LIST 7—21 Jun 2007
3 - 9 SEPTEMBER
UCI Mountain Bike and Trail World Championships
Aonach Mor. Fort William. €27.50—E60 (single): £7180- STIBS (family); under 8s free.www.fortwilliam worldchampsco.uk. 0181 557 3012
In a nutshell This event is a blend of high adrenaline for the contenders and exerting viewing for spectators. It attracts roughly 460 riders from around 80 countries who have been fighting it out for over six months for the ultimate prize of world champion. Last year's event pulled in more than 200,000 spectators who can watch the riders go through three different disciplines: downhill sprint (for the speed junkies). cross-country (for the endurance specralists). and four-cross (a head to head sprint race across a demanding course). Typical festival goer For the adrenaline junkie.
6 - 25 SEPTEMBER
TechFest
Aberdeen. Prices vary. wwwtechfestorguk
01224 274 196
In a nutshell Lord Robert Winston kicks of this year's event. promoting science. engineering. maths and technology through a series of schools programmes and workshops. public lectures and a family activrties weekend. The focus is on enc0uraging a new generation of young scientists to take up the reigns of research and innovation. Typical festival goer For the boffin.
7 SEPTEMBER
Isle of quha Music Festival
Isle of Gigha. Prices vary. www.highland2007.com 01468 702 007
In a nutshell Set on one of the most beautiful islands off the coast of Scotland. this festival is a
celebration of local culture. ranging from acoustic guitar sets to poetry readings. The island. seven miles long by a mile and a half wide. is large enOugh to accommodate the crowds who flock from far afield. Typical festival goer For those who like intimate live music and a great atmosphere.
7 - 9 SEPTEMBER
Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival Loch Lomond. Prices vary. wwmlochlomondfood anddrinkfestivalcom. 01/136 679 882
In a nutshell The festival includes cookery demonstrations and competitions. a food hall selling products from small scale producers. whisky tastings from a host of distilleries and a real ale festival. Typical festival goer For those who serioust appreciate food and drink.
14 - 16 SEPTEMBER
Black Bottle Islay Jazz Festival
Islay. Prices vary. www.islayjanfestival.co.uk
0181 467 5200
In a nutshell A weekend of high-quality. modern jazz in Islay's atmospheric surrounds. The event uses the entire island as a backdrop so you can hear world-class musicians playing a concert in a distillery filling shed. in the front room of an Islay house or while san'ipling the home baking at Portnahaven. Typical festival goer Jazz and nature buffs.
15 - 16 SEPTEMBER
Medieval Methill Summer Festival Promenade. Fife. Free. 011333 421 61 1
In a nutshell Held in a reconstructed medieval village. all the organisers and staff are dressed in medieval costume and act out every day village life from the blacksmiths shop to farming. There are battle re-enactments and you can learn medieval skills from fletching arrows to weaving baskets. Typical festival goer Time travellers.
23 ~ 24 SEPTEMBER
Fiesta de la Virqen de Ias Mercedes Latacunga. ECuador. Free. wwwviveCLiadorconi
In a nutshell Probany ECuador's most famous and beguiling festival. this is an opportunity to realise your secret desires to raid mama's wardrobe. Men dress up as women and blacken their faces. and there's a whole lot of dancing and partying in the streets. The festival spills over for a week on either side of the main drag event. Typical festival goer Any man who's ever longed to don his mother's clothes.
27 - 30 SEPTEMBER
Galway International Oyster Festival Galway. Republic of Ireland. Free (general events). 920-8170 (ticketed events). www.galwayoysterfest.coni. 00 368 91 587992
In a nutshell This festival is a true celebration of the best in gourmet seafood and culture complemented by the best Guinness in Ireland (so they say) and a series of live music events. Typical festival goer For the seafood and culture connosieur.