The Gathering Festival

The one-day festival, The Gathering returns to Inverness on Saturday 30th May 2026 celebrating the very best of The Highlands and Scotland. 

The Gathering is held at Inverness Northern Meeting Park in Inverness.

The Gathering is a family festival with no age restrictions - everyone is invited to attend. 

Under 18s must be accompanied by someone over the age of 21 with a maximum of 2 under-18s per accompanying adult.

If your child looks older than 16 but has a 16 & Under ticket, you will need to provide valid ID.

Accepted forms of ID at The Gathering:

• Passport
• Driving Licence
• Young Scot Card
• Citizen Card
• Any other photo ID with a PASS logo

The Gathering gates open at 11:30am and the first act is on the main stage at midday.

The festival closes at 10:30pm.

Last entry to The Gathering is 9pm.

You must have a valid e-ticket either on your phone or printed out. Your purchase of a ticket and admission to the event signify your acceptance of the terms and conditions on the ticket and on the event website.

You cannot bring alcohol to The Gathering. Soft drinks cannot be brought in but you are allowed small, unopened bottles of water.

Food is allowed but only small unopened snacks.  Soft drinks cannot be brought in but small unopened bottles of water are allowed.

If you bring a small trolley or umbrella to the gate you will not be allowed to take them in, and items will be disposed of.

If you bring a collapsible chair or blanket, but these will only be allowed in the designated area nearer the second stage. They will not be allowed to be set up near the main stage at any time.

last entry is 9pm and you may leave and return at your leisure before this time.

Can I bring my buggy/pram into The Gathering? - Yes.

Is there a lower age limit on children attending The Gathering? - No

Can I bring my children during the day and have them collected by a friend/family member in the evening? - Yes, last entry to The Gathering will be 9pm.

Can I bring in baby food/baby milk? - Yes.

What do I do if I lose my child at The Gathering? - Make contact with the nearest steward and/or welfare team.

Items not allowed at The Gathering include:

Alcohol

Glass

Food

Chinese lanterns

Flares

Fireworks

Drugs

Nitrous oxide

Drones

Weapons

Dangerous objects

Dogs are not allowed EXCEPT guide dogs.

Please note: Drug enforcement laws apply on site as anywhere else in the country. Police officers will be present and drug offences will be dealt with according to national guidelines.

Anyone involved in unlawful supply of drugs is likely to be arrested.

Anti-social or illegal behaviour will not be tolerated and may result in eviction from the site.

Unauthorised drones are prohibited and any unauthorised flights will be reported to Police Scotland.

In the first instance, if you lose something at The Gathering please head to Welfare and they will do their best to assist you.

All unclaimed lost property will be retained by Police Scotland in Inverness.

Contact:

101 or 0845 600 5703

Or visit Burnett Road Police Station reception, Inverness.

The Gathering will have contactless payment across the majority of the site and this will be encouraged.

There may be a small number of traders where only cash is accepted.

Please ensure that you have sufficient cash and contactless payment available.

Is there mobile coverage at The Gathering?

Yes, as the festival is in the city centre. However, signal may become slow due to network congestion during the event.

Are there phone charging facilities?

No.

Unfortunately, you can’t be issued with a refund if you can’t make The Gathering due to work commitments or if your mates have dropped out. In these circumstances, it is advised passing on your tickets privately to avoid losing out on the money spent.

Refunds can only be offered if the event is cancelled or postponed, as agreed upon purchase.

If you would like to change the name on your order for The Gathering then please head to www.skiddle.com/orders/ to change your details free of charge instantly. Alternatively please call Skiddle on 03333 010101 during office opening hours. (Mon – Fri 0900 – 1800; Sat 1000 – 1700)

Yes you will need a 5 and under ticket which are free for little ones coming to The Gathering, but if you do not have one you will not be turned away.

If the e-ticket was bought for you as part of a multiple order by one person, try to arrive at The Gathering with that person or have their telephone contact details with you in case there are problems with scanning your ticket at the gate. It could mean you don’t get into the festival if the ticket won’t scan at the gate and your ID doesn’t tally with the name on the ticket. If you have acquired the ticket from someone else, see above

Don’t worry – so long as it can scan you will be fine to enter The Gathering. 

No, they'll still be able to enter The Gathering.

Please head to www.skiddle.com/help where the answers to FAQs are available, as well as access to Skiddle’s Customer Care phone line and live online chat. 

No. Under-18s must be accompanied by someone aged 21 or over at The Gathering.

Maximum of 2 under-18s per accompanying adult aged 21+.

By Car - It's recommended that if travelling by car to The Gathering, you use the parking available within the city centre.

By Train - The nearest train station to the site is Inverness Station which is located on Academy Street, IV2 3PY

By Bus - Inverness Bus Station is the nearest bus station and this is located on Margaret Street, IV1 1LT

By Air - Flights are available from various locations around the UK and internationally to Inverness Airport.

No, there is no parking at The Gathering so please use city centre parking.

There is no parking at The Gathering, please use city centre parking.

Yes, and there is a disabled viewing area in front of The Gathering main stage; however please bear in mind this is an outdoor event and conditions could become muddy and slippery.

Yes - Carer/Personal Assistant tickets for those needing to accompany a paying customer are available for The Gathering, subject to providing one of the following documentation dated within the past 12 months or with valid date covering the event:-

*The front page of DLA letter with PIP letter

*The front page of Attendance Allowance letter

*Evidence of being registered as severely sight impaired (blind)

*Recognised Assistance Dog ID card

*Valid Access Card showing you require a +1 to accompany you

If this applies to you then, please book the tickets you require (not including your PA / Carer Ticket) and contact the Skiddle Customer Care team with your documentation and 16-digit order reference number by submitting a support request here: https://help.skiddle.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

Yes there will be disabled toilets provided at The Gathering.

Yes, please be aware strobe lighting will be used during some of the music sets at The Gathering.

Gates open at 11:30am and the first act is on the main stage at midday.

The Gathering closes at 10:30pm.

You may bring your medicine to The Gathering even if it is in a glass container.

 No, The Gathering is a one day festival with no camping available.