1 - 3 AUGUST

Horsecross Southern Fried Festival

Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre, prices vary www.horsecross.co.uk

American roots music comes to the Scottish Lowlands with a celebration of New Orleans funk. blues and Americana from international names and Scots talent including Eddi Reader. Nanci Griffith and Dean Owens.

1 - 3 AUGUST The Big Chill

Eastnor, Castle Deer Park, Great Malvern, Herefordshire, free—£1 29 www.bigchi|l.net

Another festival season. another Big Chill: music acts include popular chanteuse Beth Orton. electro pop songwriters Hot Chip and cult acid house band Alabama. Literature lovers. meanwhile. can look forward to the likes of Lemm Sissay. Apples & Snakes and Elvis McGonagall.

l - 23 AUGUST Edinburgh Tattoo Edinburgh Castle, prices vary www.edintattoo.co.uk

See panel. page 30.

2 - 3 AUGUST

Live at Loch Lomond

Balloch Castle Country Park, Balloch, 249—289 www.liveatlochlomond.com

After its extremely successful debut last year. Live at Loch Lomond returns for its second outing. This year's line- up includes performances from Groove Armada. Sex Pistols. Happy Mondays and Pete Doherty.

2 - 3 AUGUST

Festival of Orchids

Scone Palace, Perth, 25-224 www.scone-palace.co.uk

Ideal for the green—fingered. this floral

28 THE LIST 5-19 Jun 2008

test showcases some of the finest flowers in the world. complemented by the beautiful backdrop of Scone Palace. Buy orchids from top orchid- growers. gain tips and ideas from talks and demonstrations and enjoy the orchid displays in the beautiful staterooms of Scone Palace.

2 - 9 AUGUST Skandia Cowes Week

Cowes, Isle of Wight, free www.skandiacowesweek.co.uk One of the UK's longest running events in the sporting calendar. 8500 competitors and over 100.000 spectators coverge to witness everyone from weekend sailors to olympic champions in a whole sen/res of thrilling competitive sailing events.

2 - 10 AUGUST

Pittenweem Arts Festival Pittenweem, East Neuk of Fife, free www.pittenweemartsfestival.co.uk See panel. page 22.

2 - 10 AUGUST

Nairn International Jazz Festival

Various venues, Nairn, prices vary www.nairnjazz.com

Seven days of live world-class iaz/ entertainment from a range of players from home and abroad.

3 - 24 AUGUST

Festival of Spirituality

and Peace

Various venues, Edinburgh, prices vary www.festival ofspirituality.org.uk

See panel. page 30.

f’/

3 - 25 AUGUST Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Various venues, Edinburgh, prices vary www.edfringe.com See panel. page 30.

5 - 9 AUGUST

The Great British

Beer Festival

Earls Court, London, prices vary www.greatbritishbeer.co.uk Britain's biggest beer festival boasts over 450 real ales and ciders from golden ales. fruit beers and stouts to bitters. cider and perry. Expect informative talks and tasting sessions.

6 - 16 AUGUST

Festival del Film Locarno Locarno, Switzerland, prices vary www.pardo.ch

Throughout its 00 year history. Locarno has built a reputation as one of Europe’s premier film festivals and each year over 100.000 cinema goers flock to this small S‘f/ISS Italian town. The International C()llll)(}lll:()li gives young auteurs the chance to rub shoulders wrth some of l.tll'()p(;'5: most talented directors.

8 - 9 AUGUST

Tartan Heart Festival: Belladrum 2008

Beauly, lnverness-shire, 250—280 www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk Setting its s all in a haven in the l-lighlands. this event starts ‘.'.’l’..“. a ground stomping (:eiiidh and has l".'(:

musrc acts from renowned artists

STRANGE DAYS INDEED

Wickerman Festival

throughout its two day run. This year's cracking line up inciudes Scouting For (his. l(l|(}‘.".’ll(l. lhe \"Jaterboys and

l fl.'.‘,'.'l (lollies. alongside r‘tunerous é?‘.f:7l’.f; for all the fétl‘lll‘~.'. l"(llti(lillt;

pectin. corned}. and debates.

If all the world is a stage, its players are getting more eclectic by the year. Anna Millar pads around the odder end of the festival circuit

An integral part of the cultural calendar, festivals are fast tmcoming a vibrant part of the tourism industry -- both at home and abroad -— and organisers are undoubtedly raising the bar to keep up wrth demand. pushing the boundaries to give the audience more choice than ever.

This year welcomes back the return of popular stalx-vart. the Wickerman Festival (25 & 26 July. wwwthewickermarifestival.co.uk). Scotland's favourite ‘cult' music festival. The perfect antidote for those looking to avoid the comn'iercialism of a bigger event. the \'\.-’ickerman concludes two days of music and mayhem with the now Iconic burning of a makeshift 30-foot man. This year's line-up includes headliners KT Tunstall and The Fall. while Gary Numan, De Rosa and Dean Friedman provide ample support.

A little further afield down Wales way. in tlsk. the Croissant Neuf Summer Party sets its stall out (15—1 7 August. ‘v\/\.V\."/.pé‘tl’lylitllll.CO.tlk) and showcases a mix of cabaret. (:rt‘Jissants and coffee at one of Britain‘s few (if only) solar powered festival. Run by eriyironmeiitalists. organisers power the party using solar panels and wrnd turt")ines instead of diesel generators. while all the food oriSite is 100% organic and locally sourced. Highlights include the lantern procession and masked ball, as part of the festival's finale.

For those with some money to burn and a propensity for fiery fun. the Burning Man Festival (253 August—1 September. \V‘.V\N.l)tll'lilllglllflliCOllll in Black Rock City. Nevada should have it covered. Set in the desert. tens of thousands flock each year for a festival which encourages its audience to

show selfexpression through art.

Closer to home. things are similarly DIY at the Secret Garden Party (24—27 July. www.secretgarderipartyconii down south. near Huntingdon. with this hands-on event. Festival-got-zrs are encouraged to help perform Shakespeare. stage Custard pie fights or build their own sculpture. before the day rounds off with a roster of iip-and-coming musical talent.