S U M M E R F E S T S K e l b u r n G a r d e n P a r t y ; p r e v i o u s p a g e : D o u n e t h e R a b b i t H o l e
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dition that Doune the Rabbit Hole, for example, make it a condition that all their food pitches sell a £1 kids portion. ‘We have the Lullaby Collective in the campsite who have a little space where they read bedtime stories and offer bathtime facilities,’ says Dave Boyle, director of Kelburn Garden Party, which is set in the forested grounds of Kelburn Castle. ‘We’re lucky, we’re a family tourist attraction throughout the year, so our aim is to make the whole site a playground for adults and children. It’s a different atmosphere, locals will come on day tickets so the site will be really buzzing at midday [and] one o’clock, whereas most big festivals have barely started You’ll still suffer the typical perils of taking children by then.’ like remembering anywhere overnight – simple sunscreen, wellies and enough pairs of nappies and dry clothes – but once there, you’ll i nd everyone’s in the same
boat and you’ll end up making friends with other families. The biggest concession, in fact, is over what music you get to hear. Take a look at the bill of any family-friendly festival and it’s a broad church. But don’t bother circling more than a couple of favourite artists because you still have to look after the children. It’s key to consider it a family weekend with plenty of random but good quality music thrown in, rather than your own special treat; that way lies frustration. ‘It makes a huge difference to the atmosphere to have kids running around,’ says Murray. ‘We started the festival in 2010 after going to the Green Man festival in Wales, and we noticed there that the atmosphere was totally different because there were children there. I think adults do behave more responsibly with children around, and it makes everything feel nicer and kinder. It’s only a pop-up community, but it’s a community nonetheless.’
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T O P 5 F E S T I V A L S F O R F A M I L I E S
SOLAS The Bield, Blackruthven, Perth, Fri 19—Sun 21 Jun Enjoying a range of family and kids-only activities, and fitted out with its own parent and baby room, Solas festival incorporates performing arts, literature and music. This year’s musical acts include the Vaselines, Honeyblood, hip hoppers Hector Bizerk and Indian singer / composer Raghu Dixit.
WICKERMAN East Kirkcarswell, near Dundrennan, Fri 24 & Sat 25 Jul One of the larger festivals on this list which is still kid-friendly, Wickerman is set on a farm in Dumfries and Galloway that offers family-friendly areas (including a quiet camping zone) within the festival – but note that some parts are adults only. This year boasts a typically eclectic lineup, as well as the late evening Wickerman burning which finishes the event. Read more on page 33.
BELLADRUM TARTAN HEART BELLADRUM TARTAN HEART By Beauly, Inverness, Thu 6—Sat 8 Aug A larger boutique festival with some big names at the top of the bill, the famously scenic Belladrum has a family campsite and children’s activities, as well as a free entry for under-12s policy. Turn to page 33 for more on the lineup.
30 THE LIST 2 Apr–4 Jun 2015
KELBURN GARDEN PARTY Kelburn Castle, near Largs, Fri 3—Sat 5 Jul Set in a forested country park near the west coast, Kelburn’s headlined this year by Nightmares On Wax with capable support from Gentleman’s Dub Club, Optimo, Rozi Plain and Hector Bizerk. Its child- friendly elements include a wooded maze, a play fort and some grazing animals, as well as many curated activities. See page 33 for more details.
DOUNE THE RABBIT HOLE Cardross Estate, near Stirling, Fri 21—Sun 23 Aug Free to all children under the age of 12 accompanied by an adult, and enjoying its own separate kids’ camping area, Doune the Rabbit Hole is famed for its provision for youngsters – but there’s a lot more to it than that. Expect poetry, workshops and credibly alternative music. The bill’s to be confirmed, but acts from recent years include Errors, Jeffrey Lewis, the Pastels and Clinic.
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