Gathering gets under way in Inverness as Highland revellers gear up for day-long music and culture festival
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A DAY chock full of fantastic music and Highland culture has just got under way in Inverness – with revellers flocking to the Highland capital to enjoy the return of The Gathering.
The one-day festival kicked-off in the Northern Meeting Park at midday, and is set to feature a host of acts, including Torridon, Shooglenifty, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and headline act Tide Lines before the day of revelry and music finally comes to an end at 10.30pm this evening.
The day's festivities also include a range of music, come-and-try sessions, meet the maker events featuring craft beers and spririts, and more on the festival's second stage – the Tomatin Whisky Stage.
And there will also be a host of family-friendly attractions for the children, including stilt walkers, messy play, face painting, mini Highland games, circus skills and puppet fun with Trapeze Entertainment among others.
Festival coordinator Claire Clark said: “Tide Lines are returning to headline which is really exciting and we are delighted to have them back and they have such a strong following, so it’s great having them back with us.
“They have just been on a tour which has been hugely successful, so it is always nice for them to come back and do a festival in the Highlands.”
This year’s line-up – as ever – builds around their headliner.
Related: 'Everyone's welcome at The Gathering' coordinator highlights inclusive vibe
“We start there,” Claire said. “We have our hitlist for headliners and once they are confirmed, we work out who will complement that nicely. And also we want to have a nice mix of new and up-and-coming acts, and bands like Torridon – who will be playing from 5-6pm – and they will be playing more of an upbeat party vibe. That is how the line-up is shaped, we talk it over as a team.
“Beinn Lee we haven’t had before and they have a contemporary take on traditional music, which is what we love and is our ethos as well, wanting to showcase the culture as it is now. We love traditional music but having this contemporary take on it is what we want to do as well.”
– Meanwhile, pedestrians in the city are being reminded that the Infirmary Bridge will be closed today and into tomorrow morning as a result of the festival.
The pedestrian bridge is usually closed during major events in the Northern Meeting Park or on the Bught. This is as a safety precaution given the high numbers of people who might otherwise attempt to cross the Victorian suspension bridge at any one time.
It will reopen at 8am on Sunday.
– More info about The Gathering can be found at: thegatheringscotland.com.
