Thousands start arriving at start of Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival near Beauly
Thousands of festival-goers have started arriving at the Belladrum Estate near Beauly for three days of music, dance and entertainment.
Since the gates opened today at 8am, the site has been bursting into life as people have been pitching their tents and settling in ahead of the acts getting under way.
A new traffic management has been implemented following traffic chaos last year and is reported to be going well although motorists are being advised of some delays in the area.
About 20,000 revellers are set to descend on the festival site for the event which is celebrating 20 years.
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival near Beauly gets ready to welcome 20,000 visitors
WATCH: What will Belladrum Festival traffic be like this year?
Last year saw long traffic queues lasting five hours, prompting an angry backlash from festival-goers and local residents.
But in the first few hours of the gates opening today, the new traffic arrangements were working well, according to the organisers although festival-goers are being advised of some delays at the bag checking area on site.
Festival producer Dougie Brown said: “We had staff in position from first light this morning.
“Any early arrivals were automatically taken off the road and put into the car park as per the traffic management plan which has seen a significant reduction in the issues of last year.
“Obviously getting 20,000-plus on site today will mean delays as always but it is much more manageable and hopefully will carry on the way it is at the moment.
“But do plan for slight delays and make sure you have supplies in the car to keep children entertained - we recommend the Belladrum Spotify playlist!”
He also said there were some slightly longer queues from the car park to the camp sites as people go through the bag checking area.
“We are asking people to be patient,” he said.
“it is important our security search everyone to make sure the festival is safe.
“People bring a lot of stuff with them so it takes slight longer to be searched.”
So far the weather has remained fine and although grey skies threaten showers that has not deterred the enthusiasm and excitement of the first arrivals.
Stages are set for tonight’s headliners including the Sugababes, who have reported to have already arrived, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who are appearing on the Hot House Stage,
Teenage Fan Club will appear on the Garden Stage and Rhythmnreel on the Grassroots Stage.
Tomorrow’s headliners include James Arthur and Ocean Colour Scene, while Callum Beattie and Deacon Blue are among the main stage acts on Saturday.
