INSIGHT Magazine - Issue 4

4
Family
Festivals
By Rona Simpson
I thought I was going to be
one of those carefree parents
who wore billowing skirts with
children skipping merrily to
and fro – flowers in our hair.
Turns out, I’m not...
Kendal Calling © George Harrison
We are only just emerging from the sleep deprivation years (at ages 4
and 7). I flit between states of mildly crotchety to wildly neurotic. But, I
am having the first stirrings that I might like to take the smalls to a festival.
Let’s see which ones are least likely to end in a four way family divorce.
1. Doune the Rabbit Hole - 19-21 July
Set in the heart of the Trossachs, this is becoming a firm family favourite.
It was included in the Guardian’s top five family festivals a few years back.
Kudos. It has ‘kids’ only’ toilets, plus a huge variety of kid’s performances,
and discos. It attracts a cool crowd. Highlights this year include: The
Damned, Sister Sledge and The Wailers. dounetherabbithole.co.uk
2. Kendal Calling - 25-28 July
Get your roar on because this year there is a dino theme at Kid’s Calling
– a section of the festival devoted entirely to your little darlings! There are
a huge variety of performances (including Cbeebies’ Alex Winters), music,
craft workshops, circus skills and so much more. Penrith is only 2.5 hours
away and the lakes are beautiful, so this could even form part of your
summer hols. Highlights include: Tom Jones, Orbital, Courteeners, Nile
Rogers & Chic. kendalcalling.co.uk
4. Tartan Heart Festival - 2-4 Aug
From only 200 people partying in a field in 2004, Tartan Heart in
Inverness now attracts more than 20,000 folk. Highlights for this year
include Elbow, Tom Odell and Jonny Marr. There is a great, if pricey,
‘glamping’ option if lugging a tent about with the fam seems too much
effort. Under 12s go free. tartanheartfestival.co.uk
Right, I’m away to dig out that billowy skirt – and possibly a ukelele!
Kendal Calling - The Wailers © Benjamin Paul
3. Millport Country Music Festival - 30 Aug-1 Sept
Once off the boat, jump on the local bus and it will stop directly outside
the grounds of Garrison House where the festival takes place. There’s a
wide range of activities for kids of all ages. Maverick Magazine called it:
“The beating heart of country music in Scotland”.
millportcountrymusic.com
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