The best music festivals in Scotland

If you like the sound of bagpipes, you’re in the right place. It’s no surprise that a place that birthed Braveheart and David Tennant is home to an iconic festival season slate every year, whether it’s nestled in the heart of the Highlands or a stone’s throw from Edinburgh or Glasgow. Scotland’s got a wide range to power you through the summer.

So here it is, Skiddle’s picks for the best music festivals in Scotland. From tartan-clad festies like Knockengorroch  (10 points if you can say that), to a bit more mainstream like TRSMT,  or a techno-y/house vibe like Terminal V; there is something for everyone in here to enjoy. 

So hike up your kilts, and get yourself ready to feast your eyes on the very best Scottish music festivals.

 

 

Knockengorroch Festival

When: May

Where: Knockengorroch in Kirkcudbrightshire

Starting off strong and slightly ancient we head to Dumfries and Galloway for Knockengorroch Festival. Nestled within the rural Carsphairn Hills in what was once a populated ancient settlement, the remote weekender is enriched with beautiful scenery and embraces Celtic culture with open arms. It’s one of the few festivals where you can see the stars in the sky and the stars on the stage at the same time. This is a Scottish music festival to watch out for. 

 

For more information on Knockengorroch Festival - here

 

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FLY Festival Glasgow

When: May

Where: Riverside Museum in Glasgow

FLY are MVPs when it comes to hosting incredible events and festivals across Scotland over the years, with FLY Open Air previously being considered one of the best house and techno festivals. The brand is heading to Glasgow’s Riverside Museum and bringing the sights, crowds, and DJs to one of the coolest spots in Scotland’s largest city. In typical FLY fashion, their events are often shrouded in mystery bar a quality lineup, but we urge you to pack your raving shoes nevertheless. 

 

For more information on FLY Festival Glasgow - here

 

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Terminal V 

When: April

Where: Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh

Keeping on brand with our vault of festivals that we like to spread around is one of the best music festivals in Scotland; Terminal V. Year after year the festival brings 20,000 people to witness over 80 acts of both international and homegrown talent across its 5 stages. Launching in 2017, there’s not much to say about Terminal V that hasn’t already been said; it still brings top tier tunes to the Royal Highland Centre every April. 

 

For more information on Terminal V click - here

 

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Party at the Palace

When: August

Where: Lochside Field Linlithgow in Linlithgow

Linlithgow's award-winning Party at the Palace festival continues to provide big celebrations and an even bigger lineup. This year sees another Loch-side party ready to make its mark.

Located in the historical grounds of the beautiful Linlithgow Palace, between Edinburgh and Glasgow, the two-day Scottish festival is tip-top, and regularly attracts a mix of household names, emerging talents and local heroes. 

If past lineups are anything to go off, Party at the Palace will be a belter. 

 

For more information on Party at the Palace - here

 

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The Gathering

When: June

Where: Inverness Northern Meeting Park in Inverness

The Gathering Festival brings the best traits of a Scottish music festival to Inverness every year without fail. Boasting traditional Celtic music, heavy highland culture, and food and drink sourced exclusively from across the region, The Gathering is the epitome of what it feels like to be a true Scotsman. Set in the wondrous Inverness Northern Meeting Park, in the gateway of the Highlands, it will certainly have a stunning lineup for you to really embrace that Scottish feeling.

 

For more information on The Gathering - here

 

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Kelburn Garden Party

When: July

Where: Kelburn Country Centre in Largs

The effortlessly magical Kelburn Garden Party is a cultural and artistic safari for the mind, body and soul. Featuring a unique programme of music, art and entertainment spread throughout the ancient and spell-binding forest glen and gardens, this  family-friendly, independent event is bursting at the seams with creativity. 

Turning its back on the standard idea of what a festival should be, entertainment can be found, seen and heard in the most absurd of environments. It’s got interactive art installations, pop-up parties, waterfall plunge pools, workshops, and a 13th-century painted castle to top it all off. Along with all that, a host of familiar music names are set to blow your ears and socks clean off.

 

For more information on Kelburn Garden Party - here

 

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TRNSMT Festival

When: July

Where: Glasgow Green in Glasgow

TRNSMT has quickly become one of the biggest festivals in the UK scene since its inception in 2017 and continues to come through with incredible lineups to this day. Each year brings a fantastic range of old and new, with Britpop pioneers, homegrown talents, and legendary electronic acts usually topping the bill. Get on the phone with your mates and convince them to have a weekend away in Glasgow, you won't regret it.

 

For more information on TRNSMT Festival - here

 

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Pavilion Festival

When: May

Where: Low Green in Ayr 

Another belter on the list is Pavilion Festival, brought to you by none other than Scottish royalty Ewan McVicar. Pavilion has already become a big name around Alba, gassing up ravers with a slew of insane acts throughout the weekend. They never disappoint with an incredible lineup that leaves you wanting more. Plus, if you find yourself getting a bit of FOMO or just want an extra day of raving then look no further, as on Sundays Pavilion hosts a STREETrave, showing love to the roots. 

 

For more information on Pavilion Festival - here

 

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Stereofunk

When: May

Where: Chatelherault Country Park in Hamilton, Glasgow

The mighty Stereofunk is another chapter in Scotland’s rich litany of music festivals. Providing fans with all the best of the 90s, Stereofunk is the place to be when you're in the mood for a bit of nostalgia. 

Surrounded by the stunning scenery of Chatelherault Country Park, what better way to enjoy some of the staple artists that brought us some classics. Lineups are guaranteed to provide you with a fresh trip down memory lane, so get ready to have the time of your life!

 

For more information on Stereofunk Festival - here

 

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doof in the Park

When: July

Where: Camperdown Country Park in Dundee

Boundary-pushing DJ, producer, and label head Hannah Laing is the brains behind the newest craze gripping Dundee. Usually taking place at the beginning of July, doof in the park is a one-day, outdoor spectacular transforming Camperdown Park in Dundee. 

For a festival as fresh as doof in the Park, the 15,000-capacity festival sells out after a first wave artist announcement, and is only growing by the year. Spanning hard house, trance, and techno, handpicked by Laing, it’s a celebration of harder, euphoric sounds in the DJ’s hometown.

 

For more information on doof in the Park - here

  

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Edinburgh Psych Festival

When: September

Where: Various Venues in Edinbrugh

Are you ready to get psyched? Though that is not their slogan you can have that one for free, as we round off the last of the best music festivals in Scotland. Originally starting in Manchester, Psych Fest has duplicated itself and landed in beautiful Edinburgh where it'll hold it's own edition of Psych Festival. Known for those who want to get the very best out a festivals, Psych Festival is limitless with a bunch of options to keep you occupied throughout the day. From art, interesting art, workshops, films and more.  

  

For more information on Psych Festival - here

 

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For more Scottish festivals click - here. That way you can stay up to date and find all the latest information on everything music, Highlands and kilts. 

Feeling a different location? No worries because we have a load of festivals from house and techno, to EDM, and trance that all feature an array of locations. Plus if you're looking to go even further we even have some of the best Portugal festivals at the top of our radar!

We have you covered for all festival content so look no further and get partying!

 

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