Arriving at one of Scotland’s long list of festivals by motorhome or campervan is arguably one of the best ways to enjoy a weekend or week away. You’ll have the option to get right into the thick of it, soaking up the atmosphere of a vibrant festival, then retreat for an hour or more and overnight to the peace and comfort of your mobile motorised home.
Choosing a festival as a destination brings focus to your trip, too. There is a huge variety of festivals, including food and drink, music, sports and culture taking place throughout the year and in every corner of Scotland so it’s possible to enjoy a festival-based trip pretty much anytime and anywhere.
Here we bring you a round up of some of the best of the Scottish festivals taking place in Scotland in 2014. There are many more and we’ve offered a link to a Creative Scotland festival guide at the end of this article.
Up Helly Aa, Shetland festival Pic credit: Flickr Captain Oates
Sport and outdoors festivals in Scotland
Up Helly Aa, Shetland
When: January 28
What: The largest festival of fire in Europe marks the end of Yuletide with a thousand-strong torch-lit procession and the dramatic burning of a replica Viking Longship.
See Up Helly
Fort William Mountain Festival, Highlands
When: February 19 to 23
What: Outdoors workshops, lectures and films across four days of a full, fun and informative programme in the acclaimed Outdoors Capital of the UK.
See Mountain Fest
Homecoming Scotland 2014: John Muir Festival, across Scotland
When: Apr 17 to 26
What: The John Muir Festival will celebrate the life and legacy of John Muir, the Scots born naturalist and founder of America’s national Parks. The event takes place along the length of the John Muir Way, a new national pathway that stretches from Dunbar in the east to Helensburgh in the west.
See SNH
Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games
When: July 23 to August 3
A Scottish highlight for anyone sporty, or not, is the Games 2014, which comes to the city of Glasgow in July 23. There will be plenty of free events to attend if you have not got tickets and various cultural festivals taking place during the same period.
See Games 2014
Blue Skies
When: August, dates TBC
What: Dundee’s festival of kite flying, stargazing and rainbow chasing is perfect for families and fun-loving couples
Braemar Gathering. Pic credit Flickr Ron Almog
The Braemar Gathering, Highlands
When: September 6
What: The acclaimed Highland Games of which Her Majesty the Queen is patron. Added to this, the Royal Family attends every year so you can enjoy a spot of Royals spotting. From the InterServices Tug of War to the magisterial sounds of the Massed Pipe Bands, the Gathering is a fantastic outdoors event to be enjoyed by all.
See The Gathering
The Enchanted Forest, Perthshire
When: October 3 to 26
What: Taking place in Perthshire “Big Tree Country” the unique outdoor light show offers an audio-visual feast that illuminates the woodlands close to Pitlochry.
See Enchanted Forest
Other festivals to look out for
Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival
May 3 to 4, Perthshire
May 24 to June 8, Scottish Borders
Scottish Traditional Boats Festival
June 27 to 29, Aberdeenshire
Food and drink festivals in Scotland
Inverness Whisky Festival, Highlands
When: April 4 and 5
What: One of Scotland’s most vibrant whisky festivals with drams, masterclasses, demonstrations, live music and auction. Just remember not to drink and rive.
See Whisky Fest
The Islay Festival of Music and Malt, west coast
When: Usually at the end of May, date for 2014 TBC
What: The clue is in the title of the festival! You’ll enjoy a varied programme of traditional music, ceilidhs, Gaelic lessons, golf, bowling and whisky tasting on this beautiful low-lying west coast island.
See Islay Fest
Other festivals to look out for
Spirit of Stirling Whisky Festival
May 9 to 10, Central Scotland
May 17 to 18, Argyll
Music and dance festivals in Scotland
Ullapool Dance Festival
When: March 14 to 16
What: The 2nd ever festival of dance for Ullapool will include all kinds of dance, and for all ages and abilities. Expect Hip Hop, Ceilidh, Latin, Indian, Jazz, Contemporary, Breakin’, Charleston, Disco and even Nightclubbing.
See Dance Fest
Southern Fried, Perth, Highlands
When: July, dates TBC
What: Perth’s festival of American roots music offers an eclectic mix of country and blues acts.
See Southern Fried
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Inverness
When: August 8 and 9
What: A low-key music festival that takes place on the beautiful Belladrum Estate. There are five stages and a great mix of local and international artists across a variety of genres including indie, rock, Dance, Celtic, Celtic rock and blues.
Lockerbie Jazz Festival, Scottish Borders
When: End of September, dates TBC
What: A fabulous and lively festival brings the Borders to life for a couple of days. The sounds are mostly contemporary and the backdrop is the delightful Lowlands.
Callander Jazz and Blues Festival, Central Scotland
When: October 3 to 5
What: With its self-proclaimed mission to “jazz up the Trossachs”, this festival proudly presents emotive and full-bodied music every September.
See Callander Jazz and Blues Festival
Other festivals to look out for
May 2 to 5, Isle of Bute
May 22 to 25, northern Scotland
June 20 to 22, Perth
July 18 to 20, Inner Hebrides
Culture festivals in Scotland
Homecoming Scotland 2014: StAnza: Scotland’s International Poetry Festival, St Andrews, Fife
When: March 5 to 9, times vary
What: StAnza 2014 will be on the theme of what “home” means to poets in Scotland and beyond. The festival theme will be “A Common Wealth of Poetry” and there will be a focus on Poetry in Motion, all to celebrate the Commonwealth Games and Scotland’s cultural connections with the Commonwealth.
See StAnza
Catch a sunset at Wigtown Bay Pic credit: Flickr by wazimu0
Wigtown Book Festival, Dumfries and Galloway
When: September 26 to October 5
What: The 10-day festival takes place in Scotland’s book town and offers all kinds of bookish and literary interest for a wide age range. Expect author talks, workshops, group readings and other book-related activities.
See Book Fest
Colonsay Book Festival
When: April 26 and 27
What: Head to this beautiful, remote Scottish isle for a couple of days of being immersed in books and literature. This year the guests include Val McDermid, Christopher Brookmyre, Jackie Kay, Andrew Greig, Lesley Glaister and Patrick Richardson.
See Book Fest
Other festivals to look out for
May 24 to 26, South Ayrshire
For even more Scottish festivals, see this Scottish Festival Guide. Do add your festival ideas to the comments section.