Reviews of Belladrum Estate, Inverness

bad good good bad

Overall rating: 4  

Belladrum please get the entry system sorted. 2 hrs in the rain with no toilets to be stripped of a mallet not the best start. Walked in with glass jars of sauce and sharp knifes no questions asked.
Friday and Saturday festival excelent. Well done!
Belladrum please get the toilets sorted. Not enough and absolutely disgusting from friday onwards. kids had to use basin on Sunday as all toilets were blocked and stinking.
Belladrum please get the exit system sorted. 4 hrs to get out of field. Cars furthest away from exit not moving because cars nearest exit were not being controlled to allow a fair flow. Think about young children and diabetics very unacceptable.

FIRST TIME AT THE EVENT

Overall rating: 3.5  

WE ENJOYED THE EVENT. HOWEVER THERE ARE A COUPLE OF SUGGESTIONS FRO NEXT YEAR.. WE WANTED TO CAMP IN THE YELLOW AREA BUT COULD NOT PARK THEIR AS IT WAS FULL..(MAYBE AN IDEA WOULD BE TO ISSUE CAR PARKING STICKERS ie..Colour coded !! AS WE HAD TO WALK ABOUT 1 1/2 MILES IN THE OURING RAIN WITH ALL OUR GEAR..
ALSO TOILETS WERE DIGUSTING !!

Overall rating: 4  

I love Bella, It's one of the highlights of my year, this must be my 5th year and it just didn't do it for me. I'm not going to complain about the toilets because I thought they were better than last year, fewer together but more locations. What went wrong for me was the music, I don't expect to find big names at Bella but seriously, what was with the line up this year. I love the family orientated atmosphere Bella brings every year but to me it felt this year was like a party a 16 year old throws when their parents are out. Children in groups smoking and drinking at the main gate in full view of security. Where are the parents? What an example to be showing our ten year old. It has never been that bad. I think it's one thing to have free child tickets but another to allow 7 tickets per paying adult! Does Bella want to become the underage festival known for drunk kids. It wasn't family orientated it was large groups of 16 year olds doing whatever they pleased. Shame feels like Bella is losing it's edge. Good points- no long waits to be served at the bar, beautiful location, chilled relaxed atmosphere, lovely scottish vibe, safe. Every year I leave looking forward to the next one but this year I'm in doubt if I'd go back. To me Bella has lost it's magic, diappointing. I've put I wouldn't recommend but up until now I've raved about it. Note to the organisers- sort out your security, you can't take in mallets but you can have kids drinking at the main gate. Also start out bag serching and abandon it because there's huge queue's sort out your entry system, not compromise your security and maybe employ proper security and not kids on school holidays.

First time at Bella

Overall rating: 5  

Very impressed as a first timer at Bella, very friendly family orientated festival. My boys loved it (13 & 15). We stayed in the Yurts where the loos were very clean and well maintained. Toilets in festival were quite disgusting at night but ok in the daytime. Food and music fantastic. Lots to see and do. Boys really enjoyed the headphone disco. Well done and thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make it such a success.

Belladrum for the first time

Overall rating: 4.5  

Fabulous even, great mix of music and so much for all ages to get their teeth into. The kids loved the craft activities, shinty pitch and drumming workshop. Us adults found the venue easy to get around, drinks easy to access and the food was really tasty local produce. The music kicked ass and we carted the kids around in the wheelbarrow until midnight to make the most of it.
The only negative was the lack of loos. The 2 "accidents" of the solid variety my small kids had to endure due to enormous queues for a toilet in the family campsite particularly annoyed me. Belladrum, If you are digging poos out of the shrubbery for the next few weeks it probably serves you right :0)
In summary: Fabulous event Belladrum, you should be proud.

Belladrum good and not so good

Hi all,

The music was brilliant and we were introduced to some great acts that im sure will make a big impression on the world of music. belladrum is one of those festivals that's just enough and doesn't leave you wanting more, but leaves you musically satisfied that you came. There was a good choice of food and the stalls were everything you'd expect. The atmosphere was generally good natured and nothing really out of sorts that you wouldn't find any where else.....

However, The down side, I found the security, just a little too much, having my bags checked 3 times in the space of half an hour was a real invasion, why you may ask? well to be fair at the point of entry, glass and sharp objects seems reasonable, but to be questioned how i would knock my tent pegs in (no mallets allowed...WHAT?) and then to be told later, to check for alcohol on entry into the main arena, errm hello, what about drugs? Then later to be told i can have alcohol in my tent but cant take beer ive bought in a plastic thing from the main arena to my tent, what is that? this is rules for the sake of rules..naah, not right, then to see under age kids being served beer and smoking whilst the security looked on..not acceptable...will i be back, at the moment, yeah id come back for the music, but if we face this again, ill vote with my feet...and too little toilets, a minor thing really, OK Victor Meldrew moment over, still great music though...

bella 2011

Overall rating: 4  

The toilets were nowhere near last and previous years standards - the loos leave a lasting impression on people at ANY festival. Your standards are dropping. More portaloos!!
If people are buying tickets for babies maybe there should be something to remind them to put ear defenders on them. Only saw one with them on all day and one guy dancing with his baby besides speakers. They'll be too deaf to enjoy Bella when they're old enough to go without mam and dad.
Fantastic day music and atmosphere wise - and can't wait till next year.

Wisked weekend had by me :)

Overall rating: 4.5  

Can only second what has already been said, the entry system was horrendous having to queue everytime you went back the car for stuff meant it took hours as we had to make 7 trips....we were lucky though and often got the same security guy who was lovely...think he was welsh so well done to that man as he was so friendly.

Mallets were not allowed in to put up tents, that does make it a bit difficult and people don't need a weapon if they are going to be eedgits.

Toilets were a nightmare by the end with some not flushing at all and just a bit disgusting and not enough....last year I do not remember it being such a problem..when you start to seriously considering just peeing in your wellies instead it can not be a good sign ;)

Saying all that I still think it is an amazing festival and I will be back and the atmosphere was fantastic :)

Belladrum 2011

Overall rating: 4  

Enjoyed the festival, good music and very relaxed and friendly.
A bit of straw over the mud in the caravan field would have been good, and way more toilets!! and urinals for men(with screens please).Chemical disposal in caravan field would also help the toilet situation!!!

Something for Everyone. Excellent.

Overall rating: 4.5  

Only came as young needed an adult (16 & 17). Came as a group with friends and really enjoyed it. Most impressed with efficiency of pretty well everything, except possibly more could be done on the hygiene side, if picky. Had a great time seeing bands and singers I know and love and those I now intend to follow. Such a great, safe and friendly feel about the whole event and chatted to lots of new people who felt the same. Will certainly be back if am allowed by my children! Well done Belladrum.