Wickerman Festival Site Dundrennan reviews by real event-goers

Weekend of the Year

Personally, I had a great weekend. 2nd WM with wife and kids (14 & 12).
Music was so-so for me, however The Undertones were a highlight with Sons & Daughters a close second. Tony Christie was entertaining enough; sadly missed virtually all of The Charlatans. Buzzc0cks sound was cack so we left the tent and were amazed to see so many people queuing outside. Andy Fleming and Mark Thomson in the Ingrid Pit were fantastic. Missed Alex Kapranoss surprise set in the Acoustic Tent by 5 mins! Pama Outernational were great, Hip Parade were amusing and United Fruit blew my head of.
Re Beer Prices; I have to say I have more issue with the selection of alcohol on offer than the prices. The Grenman staff were bordering on the aggressively nonchalant about what they were serving and needed to be almost interrogated to find out that they had something other than Tuborg lager on tap (the Wickerman Ale was kinda ok-ish). Tuborg? Who the f*** drinks Tuborg out of choice? And PEAR cider, Odins Teeth, if youre gonna serve pear cider, at least have normal cider too. By far the better place to buy yer skoosh was the Acoustic Tent, at least they had a few proper beers to choose from Criffel was lovely and the Innes & Gunn was tops. Alcohol ban seemed to work even less well this year than last; I saw dozens of people supping non-approved products from cans theyd managed to get in.
Food prices? I agree with others that surely if the prices were more moderate they would sell more; comments that other festivals are even more expensive merely underlines what a ripoff they are.
So, generally; The Wickerman Rocks :) :) :).

Still good - although slight ned element creeping in maybe?

2nd time for me,the missus and youngest son and pal; 1st time for 4 more of their pals, all 17ish. We did quiet camping again which was ok in our bit although you still hear the bass camp stuff all night.

Thanks to the guy who gave me 3 baby tomatoes for my burger :)

The lads were fairly well behaved we thought (?). They would come in late and laugh and joke but hardly any effing and c-ing compared to some stereo typical ned types that we saw more of this year.

Also the practice of lobbing "liquids" (which i know has always happened at gigs) seemed to be on the increase, especially by the coward who threw a cup of beer at me from about 15ft behind and hid from my un-amused glare(they couldn;t have been any further becasue of the sides of the tent)and almost knocked my decent camera out of my hand during the Pistols - hey ho, rock'n'roll i suppose but we're not T in the Park here.

I know the foods cheap campared to other festivals, but surely if it was cheaper they would sell more?

The drink think will always be a problem until you can freely take it in. People will still buy from the bar when their cans have warmed up and taste crap. And again, the prices are a bit cheeky especially for the cans when the draught ran out. Also why were staff opening the cans? I can't afford to throw it and surely there's a health and safety issue with them touching the bit I'm gonna drink out of?

All in all, still a good festival, just need to tweek a few things - PLEASE :)

P.S. There seemed to be less "wicker" on the wicker man this year

Jobsworth wannabe cop !

What was with that guy?[Sat afternoon,main entrance].
Stand still,arms out to the side,turn around
DO IT NOW!...
All in front of a long line of laughing people
all laughing at him,no less.

The drink laws are a joke and are easily bypassed and stupid.
I only bought two pints/cans but I spent plenty at the food stalls.

Berthed between a Stag night and a gaggle of Tweenies ,sleep never arrived !

This Festival has come leaps and bounds
in all directions.

Yet,year after year,it still manages to scrape through.as one of the coolest,most laid back Festivals
on the Planet.

Can I get a cheap ticket now????????.

Queues+Rip-offs.

General campside was first class.toilets,and washing facilities,kept reasonably clean.with plenty of bins for rubbish.DnDirty rip-off,why the massive queues???Huge queues,AGAIN,4 dear beer Tokens,drop the prices and stop running out.[£2 for SMALL bottle of WATER?]thats a Rip-off...The Stewarding at the Scooter tent was pathetic,no communication,[outside/inside]causeing yet again,QUEUES....The majority of the punters make this festival what it is today,,,,LETS KEEP IT GOOD....Roll on next year.

Families aren't quiet

As always fab. Been tons of time and Scooter and Solas as always great, but agree that they need to be bigger. Couldn't really take kids in too squashed. These 2 tents are what make WM special (see the summerisle acts before at blander festies). Can we have a mini-Eden? Also need a bigger spoken word tent.

Loved - Unicorn Kid, 808 State, I blame Coco, Hip Parade, Pama Int. and Banna Sessions.

Staff fine if alittle too over enthused about bands on way oot! Prices were okay this year.

Liked new arrangement of site, but agree with Craigma's post re "eejit with guitar in quiet camping". Eejit's songs included - "Nothing really matters" - will it did, and "Wish you were here" - no, and please don't come back. I arrived staight from Kutski at 3AM feeling really chilled under the pink moon, and didn't need these old folkies gie'n it laldie till dawn.

Also loads of rubbish piles left in campsite - plese clear up after yourselves!

Friends turned away at 10am Friday saying Quiet camping full - then more people pitching tents later - strange.

Agree could have a Quiet area and a seperate family area. Agree kids aren't quiet, [guilty] our kids were among those with those anoying guns (but at least we could hear where they were), however I agree with those complaining about fooballs. The big beach balls are fine, but please dont let your kids play hardball on the campsite, some kids burst a large mitre throught the velcro flysheet door into our tent (lucky we wern't one of those illict stovies).

Showers! More please. Hard enough to get kids into a shower but can't make then queue for an hour!

All-in-all better organised than ever (above just suggestions).

FIRST TIMERS

Was a blast. Pity bout the weather sat nite but didnt detract from the great atmosphere. Was annoyed watching people with gas stoves when the website said they were not allowed! The kids were agog at the burning and fireworks, and then announced that they def wish to return next year! Took a friend who's allergic to rain and even she wants a rerun! Food good and not too pricy, but sort out the beer situation.
Roll on next year!

the price of basics

Yes it was brill.down sides have been posted before me.why was I threatened by the security staff that if I did'nt show my wristband I would not be allowed to leave the arena ?? who are these untrained people who adopt a jobsworth attitude with people with a festival spirit ? Don't rip us off,might return next year as it was my daughters first festival,Bruce

Wickerman 2010

First wickerman and first festival with our kids. Had a great time, atmosphere brilliant and very friendly. Loads of room, loads of stuff for the troops (2,4,&7) to do and see. Only complaint was noise in the quiet camping, I'm getting to old to be kept awake all night then rise at 0700 with the kids. Strongly recommend this festival to anyone but particularly to young families. Cheers everyone.

1st festival with kids...fantastic

First time at a festival with our kids (9 and 7) although we are both festival veterans. Thought staff and security we're very friendly but would have beend better if we could take our juice and water in. The kids had a fantastic time and they even managed to get 8hrs sleep on friday and saturday, i wish we did!! This was our first time at Wickerman and we loved it and we will be back, its a fantastic, unique event i just hope it doesn't get commericalised like other festivals!! Cu next year although i will be in quiet camping area(wish i knew about this year).

wickerman 2010

first time at wickerman with husband and 3 kids 9, 12,17,had a excellent time, kids all enjoy themself and all whant to go back next year 1 down side could not bring your own drink in, which can be very expencive on a hot day with 3 kids and paying 1.70/2.00 a bottle of c**e staff helpful and all in all had a great time

campers without tents!?!

Third year at Wickerman for me - would agree with earlier comments re line up this year. Bands in Scooter tent too big for that wee space - sweaty but great fun thrashing about to Buzz****s, Undertones etc with all the other folk who were old enough to know better!Things could have got nasty wih crowd surging to get in though.
Disappointed to find no Dangleberries this year - aren't they a local band?? VERY pleased to see More From Jim again this year after really enjoying their performance last year but totally wasted in graveyard slot (12 noon??)on main stage and too short a set. Not sure about their dancers (!)but bought the CD :)

Thought having the kids, acoustic village etc at top of hill a better arrangement.

No Noodle bar?? Missed my noodles n tempura.

Drink situation clearly problematic. Drinks expensive and queueing for tickets a joke. Not as big a joke as the lax interpretation of the different camping areas. Two years running we have paid extra to go in the caravan/campervan area and two years running we have been subjected to seriously antisocial behaviour from "neig*bours" who have neither caravans nor campervans and therefore stay up all night drinking, shouting, swearing, emptying their bladders in hedges and throwing rubbish everywhere. Clearly the staff on the entrance do not know the difference between a white VAN (full of morons)and a caravan. Also heard someone from "Quiet/family" area complaining to a steward aboutsomeone camping next to them who did not fulfil either description. That's what the Late n Loud camping is for folks!

Was the Wickerman himself this year or are my eyes getting worse?
Who cares - we'll be back. See you next year!

Second time and will be a regular on my calendar

Hi, The alcohol situation needs looking at we did sneak some in(good job as you ran out again)bought a lot as well, not sure the ticket thing worked, but understand why! This is my second time and brought my girlfriend (42) or (38) depending who is reading this, her daughter (21) and grand son (16 months)for the first time. We had a great time and camped in the quiet area. The hi-lights were Tony Christie, Goldie Looking chain (AWESOME) and The undertones. Just one thing couldn't get into Buzz****s or sex pistols experience, perhaps you can look at taking the front of the tent off for such big acts, if not putting them on to the main stage or having a second stage!!!

Great event and will return again and again Thanks!

Wickerman - great family weekend

This was our first festival with kids. Every one had a great time and really enjoyed themselves. The venue was well staffed, clean, well serviced and well lit. The w.c's were cleaned regularly and as a whole were satisfactory to use, could have used a few more dotted about though. The camp site had a great atmosphere although bit noisy at times, we felt comfotable letting the kids out to play and every one was so friendly from our neig*bours to all the Elvis's and the ginger bread man. Facillities were good on main site from food to the fair and childrens areas. In all will be going back kids and all and would recomend to families.

family and friends

Great time this weekend - my nearly 5 year old loved 'all of it - especially the wickerman burning and the next best bit of it was making a kite!'

Holistic yurts were excellent and the programme of therapies a real treat - loved the yoga too - maybe move it away from the 'shows' as they take away from the 'chill' experience but look forward to it next year - would love a children's yoga session in there too!!!

Atmosphere brill - people friendly so many kids around and not too many people off their faces - a great weekend.

Food - great value for money and great choice of foods too - Would be great if stalls were open in the morning for breakfast - spoke to a guy with stall who said there were not allowed so they were losing business - remember there are loads of families -kids wake early and we need to entertain - feed -and refresh ourselves with a decent coffee - just look at the queue at the porridge stand at 9am on Sat morn to see you could have folks making business and us lot spending dosh and we are all happy!!

Quiet camping - great atmosphere but only noise problem came from security and those bloody wee buggy car things that seemed to zoom up and down ALL NIGHT LONG and when they had trailers sounded like a freight train - at 5am this is not QUIET - please think through what is quiet and who are following these rules as there was no problem with other festivellers just the staff and why this was a necessary time to transport things or 'visit' other staff for a blether - language was quite awful and we had 6 kids with us so would appreciate staff being aware of this.

Showers - a con - although hot -queue way too long, people skipping the queue and nobody checked wrist bands so why did I bother - need more showers before you get my money again!!


PS - noticed more people arriving early on the Thursday so will need to get there even sharper next year for a space to share with friends.

See you next year !!
Amanda

Still my favourite

My 3rd year of Wickerman since i worked in the Scooter tent as bar staff in 2008....acts were ok although the previous 2 years saw a better line up..The Charlatans were brilliant as were Goldie Lookin' Chain.

Overall the atmosphere was fantastic. I'm hoping that this festival doesn't become overrun with people who just come to get rubbered for the weekend and who are the less well mannered kind...ie some TITP revellers.

The campsite was noisy but bearable...we pitched near to the entrance to the main arena so it was to be expected....burning of the Wickerman was a highlight and my best mate joined me for the first time as i rave about this festival every year...downside is that my purse was taken from my pocket but again im a silly mare for keeping it in such an unsafe place. Will continue to go to Wickerman as long as it stays the cool, hippy, alternative festival it claims to be. Roll on 2011.

Ok Social Club were superb

My second year and thoroughly enjoyed it. Would agree about the Scooter tent, the bigger acts should have been on the big stage but the stewarding was also poor. Waited ages in the queue a few times only to go in and find loads of room.

Some great stuff at the Solus tent, Ok Social Club in particular were excellent. Loved 808 State, and Sons and Daughters deserve to be bigger than they are. The reggae tent was brilliant and a great atmosphere until the early hours.

The only downside, apart from the daft alcohol policy, was the eejit playing his guitar till 5 am in the morning in the Quiet Area. I know its a festival but if you are reading this you were out of order and I would gladly have torched your tent and guitar at 4.45 am this morning!!

Wickerman 2010 was ace!!

First time at Wickerman and I have done a whole load of other festivals beforehand.

I went with two 15 year olds, myself (30) and a friend (46). We had an amazing time and really enjoyed the comedy and poetry tent - a god send for us oldies while waiting for the artists we wanted to hear.

Found food prices to be really good considering prices at other festivals and the variety was good. Festival shops were all ace aswell.

Staff were all incredibly helpfull and friendly, porto loo's were ace here (cheers!)

Loved the diversity of people and the Wickerman is one of the best festivals I have been to for families with young children.


It may be an idea to have a camping site for families with young children, a quiet site (without children under 14) and a party/noisey site. We were in the quiet camping site and so were many families with screaming/teething babies and children running around shooting toy guns and arrows and kicking footballs etc. I understand babies need to cry and young kids love running about and having fun but this is a pain when your trying to catch some sleep but can't because kids have hit a ball off your tent (again) or are chasing each other, shouting and tripping over your tent. Families with young kids are not quiet and so can they please not camp in a quiet section?!!

It would also be really cool if there was a jam station in the campsite for all of the campers with guitars and drums to get together for a session and some cool live music. You never know...you might find some undiscovered talent plus it's a great way for campers to get together for some chat and it means you don't have to listen to it if your trying to sleep!!

Really enjoyed the diversity of the artists and have to agree with the comments about the Buzz****'s - they should have been on the main.

Burning of the wickerman was ace and the fireworks were amazing.

Didn't buy from beer tents or bars as could not be bothered with queing while missing bands etc. plus I only like sambuca so took some in in a hip flask. Would have bought drink from the venue if it was not such a pain to obtain!!


Well done and thank you to everyone involved in making this festival happen and well done to the festival goer's who were all cool as ****!! Seriously....go to this festival next year and check out the headphone Disco!!

pretty good

Scooter tent too small or move some of the bands on to the main stage - Bombscare, Undertones etc.
Food was OK.
Campsite on Friday night was unsleepable, the dance tent too close to the camping area, kept me awake all night - didn't stop my brother in law snoring all night tho ;-).
Line up on the main stage was a bit poor in the afternoons.
Did not think too much about the beer situation that others have been complaining about but I certainly wont be complaining if they improve things next year.

Billiant yet again, just a couple of gripes

Not the best line up I've experienced at the Wickerman but still a wonderful and well looked forward to experience.Camping in the quiet area was a masterstroke and got three good nights sleep.

The plus points of the Wickerman are there for everybody to see, but unfortunately I have a few gripes. I was disappointed to miss some of the bands in the scooter tent, and when locked out of the Buzz****s, I sneaked in to find the place only two thirds full. There must have been 500 people refused entry.

There's no excuse for running out of beer, warm cans of Tennents for £3.40 (cost price around 30p)was a poor substitute for a cold and freshly poured pint.

Compared to other festivals, the Wickerman remains my favourite and look forward to the 200 mile trek next year.

Tim & Liz

W10

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