Wickerman Festival Site Dundrennan reviews by real event-goers

Brilliant as Ever

That was my 5th year at the Wickerman and it was as good as ever, however, there were a one artist ( I now think that I use that word loosley )namely Billy Bragg who was total bollocks. Billy if you read this, I like yer music and made a point of seeing you, but cut the waffle and sing--thats what you were there for. One small point for the proprietors of the venue,you took £5 a head for useing the showers and to my utter dismay there were only 18 showers between I would estimate 10,000 people who paid to use them, thats £50,000. You could have a few more shower units available and still make a shilling or two and cut down on the queues of as many as 200 at a time waiting to use them. Moaning over.

Now for some positive points,The Human League were great for old new romantics ( if there is such a thing) The Zutons,Dreadzone,Magic Numbers on the mainstage were awesome. One surprise appearance was the excellent Counterfeit Clash in the Scooter tent who filled in at short notice. The gear and two of the band just made it due to unforseen puncture problems on the M74,but they did and performed well despite Rab McCahill almost suffering heart failure due to the wee delay in his bandmates showing up.
Oh and Mr Skiddle, I didnt get round to comming for my T shirt so as we agreed when I met you and yer staff,you can e-mail it too me.
Extra large please.

Would love to go again

I had an absolutely fantastic time - definitely worth the 6 and a half hour car journey to get there!

It just seemed that Wickerman is a little bit different from otehr festivals - the only act that I really wanted to see was Billy Bragg (who didn't disappoint) so the rest of the music was often pleasantly surprising - the Dangleberries in particular, but bands such as the Diwan Samba group in the main acoustic tent were great fun to go and see.

But the best thing about this festival was the atmosphere - everyone was friendly and helpful (massive thanks to our neig*bours who not only put up our tent when we were failing miserably but also gave us steak sandwiches when they decided instant noodles didn't constitute a proper meal!). I was told by some people before I went not to take anything that I wanted to bring back home with me, as this is standard festival advice, but I felt as if I could have handed out my house keys, bank info and passport to any passer-by without anything being taken.

Prices were OK - £80 for the weekend was terrific value and the merchandise wasn't too bad either.

I'd definitely go again - as long as I can once again find someone who is prepared to drive me all the way from my native Milton Keynes!

Disapointing!

This was my third time at the Wickerman and I have to say it will be my last...
The people were incredible as always but the festival just wasn't what it was in previous years, the stalls seemed scaled down, half the site seemed empty and it just wasn't the same.
My biggest complaint has to be the bass camp about 50 yards away from our tent, being so loud and going on till 5am. Not sure where the thought was when the organizers were doing the plans of the event but they obviously did no think it through, or they parked their brains at the door!!! also trying to listen to Billy Bragg over the top of the noise coming form bass camp was impossible!!
I didn't have a problem with the security, I dont drink so wasn't trying to get drink in, but I did see other people being searched and treated quite rudely. I cannot understand though how so many people got through with cans as they were left lying around everywhere!!!

Janet

I thought £3.20 for a pint was a fairly standard festival price - but it was terribly weak beer/cider! I should have been well away after 5 pints but I might as well have been drinking tea! VIP parking and camping did not exist? Didn't even look for a shower. Bass tent went on too late - surely 2 not 5 was late enough? Main stage really did need a class headliner - Human League? C'mon! Get somebody BIG! Acoustic tent was nice. UK SUBs were good - and The D**kies. O'Death were interesting. I would not buy an early ticket again though - it's not worth the so called upgrade - and I would not buy again before I had seen the line up - which was not out Nov 2008. Still, had we not gone we would have been sorry not to have experienced the festival and the area - we took a cottage for a week in near by Gelston and made it into a mountain biking holiday. Fantastic week in South West Scotland!

crass1984

This is the 1st wickerman for my husband and I. We are regular T goers but have been getting more and more sick of the huge crowds and ned culture there. We went to Connect last year and really enjoyed the smaller festival vibe so thought we would give Wickerman a go this year even though it is nearly a 3 hour drive for us!
We loved it and will be back next year.
I think a lot of the reviewers on this site don't know a good thing when they have it - when ever at either gigs or other festivals are you allowed to bring in your own alcohol? The prices were not that bad - and at least you can get a variety of drinks.
Campsite was very well organised and so clean the pickers were brilliant!
Like a lot of people did the DnD passes, toilets were great but agree about the showers need more for next year or sell less passes.
Only needed to use these while in the campsite as main arena toilets were surprisingly clean I was a bit worried at first as there did not seem to be a lot of them but had no problems or massive Qs.
The music was great my husband is an aging punk and I am an old raver so UK Subs, Candi Staten, Penetration and Utah Saints on the same line up was amazing - we both enjoyed all of the bands we saw.
The atmosphere was great, really chilled and so easy to get from stage to stage - really enjoyed the acoustic area made our way there every now and then just to have a rest and decide who was next on our list.
My personal highlight was looking around the main stage at about 1am and still seeing everyone dancing have a blast! Utah Saints were immense!

Great weekend

Had a great time yet again this was my 5th year!Agree with most negative comments,although i was in the camping area thought it was a rip off for the caravans&campers payin an extra £25 on top of already steep priced ticket.The beer token was a pain would be better if you were able to take some of your own drink into the main arena.

Wicker-tastic

Well, thats's my 4th Wickerman over and i gotta say, it was the badgers nadgers - great people, great tunes (reggae 'specially), great weather (till Hurricane Summerisle wreaked havoc on us all on Sunday morning! Being from Greenock i'm more than used to rain, but blimey, that was a downpour! Had that happened on the Saturday morn the atmposphere woulda been altogether different i'm sure.

Every year i've been the weather has been outstanding (always on the Saturday). I've never had sunburned ankles till now haha. Perfect weather to sit suitably drunk on a hill listening to Candi Staton then over to the reggae tent for some summery dub grooves. It doesn't get any better.

Only two real gripes.. we got there on Thursday night, my mate droves us into Kudbright early on Friday morn to get what seamed liked a years supply of Stella. However, as we re-entered the campsite, the Police pulled us aside. We got out the car, as we weew 'told', stood in a line (reminded me of the Shawshank Redemption, thought we were about to get de-loused. Sniffer dog did its rounds, found nothing, yet PC Pain-in-the-a**e STILL found it necessary to take our names and addresses. Why?! So he could run back to base and do a check?! We're from Greenock, it gets a bad press, but come on, to say i was annoyed at that is putting it mildly. (for the record, said PC couldn't spell ''Greenock''.) Hmmmmm!

Point two - queue for beer tokens, then queue again for the beer. I'm sure i know why this is the case now but there MUST be an eaiser way, surely? All in all though, we had a blast as always, met some fantastic friends and families. Keep up the good work, till next year :-)

Stay cool

Wickerman noobie

The last festival I was at was in 1979 when I saw Scorpions/Motorhead/Peter Gabriel etc. at Reading. I enjoyed the experience so much that I decided to go to another one... 30 years later... (discuss)
It was my better half's idea and we travelled the 70 miles to Dundrennan with the kids (13 + 11) and pitched on the Thursday night for a full-on festival funtime. We will be bringing a wheelbarrow next time.
I agree with all the comments regarding the siting of the Bass Camp, otherwise, our experience of the Quiet Camping area was that the other residents were pretty, er, quiet.
I wholeheartedly agree with every comment deriding the alcohol situation; the historical argument of health and safety reasons all but evaporates if you ban glass containers (fair enough), and the lightweight materials which todays cans are made of are of little significant risk; so where does that leave us? with nowt but RAMPANT COMMERCIALISM The laidback, free-festival style and reputation of The Wickerman was one of the things which attracted us to it; three twenty for the privilege of drinking fizzy beer from a paper cup in a field in south-west Scotland is literally taking the piss; as is four twenty for a veggie burger (delicious though it was). Heres a suggestion for food traders: why not offer a family-size 4 for the price of 3 deal or similar, you might actually end up selling more. When you add up the cost of four sets of food and drinks it has the effect of making me keep my hands in my pockets and head back to the camping area to cook up some more pasta a no-sale, no-win situation for everyone.
Did anyone else noticed the cost of the Stargate ride went from three-fifty on Thursday night to four quid on Saturday still, thats show-folks for ya, what else can you expect?
Glad we only paid for one DnD shoere pass and one toilet pass on the mistaken assumption that the unlimited use meant we could use them as a family by the sounds of the other comments, they werent worth it point to note for those who can live without a shower for a weekend.
- Various other minor groans and gripes not worth the craic have been deleted since I was beginning to bore myself, never mind you.

Positives:
space to breathe;
happy faces;
friendly people;
sunshine;
the fact that this truly is a festival with a dual purpose to have a good time and listen to good music;
great atmosphere;
good time, good time, good time, good time, good time, good time, good time, good time, good time, good time, good time, good time, good time, good time (John Calvert, The Ingrid Pit Word Stage)

Recommendations for the Wickerman:
Stay just as sweet as you are; in fact go back a year or two and regain some lost innocence.
Free earplugs for every festival goer (for sleeping purposes only)

Highlights of the weekend for me (in no obvious order):
Andy Fleming on Friday on The Ingrid Pit Word Stage
Andy Fleming on Saturday on The Ingrid Pit Word Stage
Mark Thomson on Saturday on The Ingrid Pit Word Stage
Emma Gillespie in the Acoustic Tent
Billy Bragg first time Ive seen him live. (Fantastic Billy, even though youre pissing in the wind; Sky TV, cheap booze and fags ensure the People continue to sleepwalk towards oblivion.)
Bronto Skylight in the Solus Tent we only saw their last number but they sounded great
Mr Kil in the Solus Tent destined for big things.
Burning of the Wickerman
More from Jim in the Scooter Tent
Other half loved The Dangleberries, The Zutons and Candi Staton, The Counterfeit Clash

Planning (and saving) for 2010 starts now
(I clicked 'No' to 'Would you recommend' 'cos I'm a selfish git)

Brilliant

The music was brilliant really enjoyed myself yet again but I feel their weren't as many toilets as usual and the down & dirty were too far from main arena. Pain in the ass having to buy tickets for beer and then queueing again to purchase the beer and it was a bit pricey. But overall I thought it was fantastic.

Ruined by the Little Hitlers in Security

This was our fourth outing to Wickerman as a family. And this year was shaping up to be one of the best despite becoming more commercial. The music was excellent, Billy Bragg, Isa & the Filthy Tongues, The Zutons and more all been worth checking out. A pity not to make it to the accoustic village this year. A very enjoyable weekend with old friends. Even the bass beats shaking the quiet camping till 5am couldn't spoil things.

The weekend was spoilt unfortunately by heavy handed security on the gate. Firstly was the checking of my six month pregnant wife for alcohol which upset me more than her and then the security who watched me leave the arena to take my six year old daughter to the toilet carrying a pint and then not letting me back in with the same pint. Officious jobsworth bastards. It's not like they were even doing their job right considering the number of cans and bottles littering the arena. I was expected to pour out the pint to get back to my family. Apparently despite having a 6 year old in tow, a pocketful of drinks vouchers and a full pint (on exit and entry) they accused me of going back to my tent to fill up my cardboard cup with illicit booze. :(

We've never felt the need to bring booze into the arena even when it was allowed, we're not heavy drinkers and this little Eva Braun and her utter idiot of a supervisor ruined Wickerman for me.

We'll not be back unless there are some changes in policy.

I'd also take this opportunity to apologise to the poor Red Cross volunteer who offered my children SPF 15 sunscreen. You caught me in a bad mood after dealing with the Security Nazis. But SPF 15?

Best weekend for years!

First time at Wickerman, and first festival for 15 years - had got really fed up with poor organisation, disgusting toilets, plod aggro and d*ckheads spoiling the fun!

This was different, though - recommended by Jenny and James from Perth, when we met them in Turkey in May (we love you guys!) - couldn't believe how friendly everyone was (especially to sassenachs like us!). Their mates were really cool too, made us feel incredibly welcome and shared everything with us (in true festival style that I thought had disappeared). You Scots sure know how to party - never seen so much booze, don't know how you keep going (well I do, but you're all really sound even when you're out of it!).

Didn't like the drink ban - this should be a choice thing, not a 'no option' - but apart from that, no complaints at all. Can't understand the fuss about tokens - bit heavy price wise, but the system worked brilliantly in my view. Got there Friday evening, had lots before we went on site, then queued for less than a minute for 16 tokens. Never waited more than one minute for a drink, with there being no cash / change, and the bar staff were ace. Total time spent waiting for 8 rounds - less than 9 minutes! Bonus! I've spent that long waiting for ONE drink at some places! Food excellent as well... we need to remember the people who run these bars / food outlets etc have transport and set-up costs, temporary power and franchise charges, then need to make enough in two days to cover that and make a small profit - not unreasonable really, specially as they're working their butts off non-stop while you party!

Can understand the gripes re 'quiet' camping next to Bass Camp - didn't affect us though, down the bottom of campervan field. Sorry about the noise in early hours of Saturday - think that might have been us! Didn't want the party to end after that amazing sunrise! Good job we didn't get Sunday's weather on Saturday...

Music mostly good - Human League was trip down memory lane and Utah Saints were BIG surprise. Sorry, never did like Bad Manners! Site and whole atmosphere was fantastic. Really safe environment for kids to wander about without having to be 'looked after' every minute of the day - big plus for parents, that. Fancy dress award to the 'KISS' boys on Saturday - great effort, lads!

Congratulations to everyone involved! Loved every minute of it, despite nearly 6 hour drive to get there! Defo back next year - with as many mates as we can muster!

First + Last

My first outing to this,and being local decided had to at least attend once, so been there done that got the t shirt etc. Booked early, weekend pass with VIP upgrade, which only got cleaner toilets and showers. Took caravan, but why £25 when tents were free, just take up same amount of room, also no generator policy was a joke, no one obviously policed this rule. Food stalls excellent, but could probably have done with more bar areas. Music a mixed bag, but enjoyed Dangleberries, Candi Staton and Human League. All in all i will not be rushing back, but then thats only my view.

wickerman 2009

been going since 2004. this was my 2nd year in the quiet camp (right at top of hill under the coloured trees) there was a few ppl around me complaining about the noise from dance tents but if they have ever slept down in the jungle they would know that you hear the doof doof doof all night anyway only u have the pleasure of ppl falling into your tent!
one advantage of the quiet camp location (in response to some of the above posts)is that if you take kids as i have done the last 2 hence now go to quiet camp is that when they get tired at night and you need go back to tent you can sit outside tent or at the trees and still hear the main stage and see the light displays in a fashion.
also in day if you need to keep poppin back an forth for toilet and food stops for them you aint miles away fae the amusement and fun.
perhaps it needs to be clarified for the festival virgins that quiet means less crowded as opposed to QUIET SHHHHHHHH it quite hard to find a quiet shhhhh spot at a festival really!

music was good and the security was slightly better organised this year as last year was a bit disorganised compared to previous years.
the village wasnt as impressive this year-----have the decent stalls been put off by the ever inflating costs of getting a stall?
also in previous years ppl have been able to take plastic bottles into arena and this year was a bit of a crack down yet for some reason some people were getting in with bottles of buck fast ion the original glass packages while others werent even allowed in with sealed bottles of water!!!!which is a wee bit annoyin one rule should be one rule not diff cos u look to scarey to challenge!!!
all in all though a great weekend and still good value for money.....

Wicker-fantastic

This was our 1st Wickerman and 1st festival. We took our son (2) & my god-daughter (4), this was her 3rd Wickerman.

We paid the £5 for the quiet camping area, not realising how close the dance tents were. We just had to keep the kids up until they were exhausted, so they would sleep through the noise. It took us a little while longer. I think it was a bit stupid having the Bass tent so close to the family area. On the whole though, the campsite was great. The posh toliets and showers could have been a little closer though. Was a bit far for a desperate 4 year old to make it, We only got to use them once, so was a waste of £6. The showers were great and clean. The queues were ridiculous, so there should have been more of them or less tickets sold. I waited to use them in the evening, when I could just walk in with no hanging around.

The actual arena was brilliant, apart from the layout, which could have done with a little more thought put into it. It would have been much better to have the acoustic village and perhaps the kids area where the dance tents were.
There was a good variety of food, though a little expensive, it was an acceptable cost for what there was. The shops were amazing. Especially ExecutiveLizard.. My son loved it in there, we had to buy him 2 dinosaurs & a penguin. The lady loved him so much, she gave him a free pack of bubbles..

On the whole, we had a great time. The burning & fireworks were amazing. Will definitely be going back next year..

Wickerman 09

Hey This was my 2nd year at the wickerman

Thouroughly enjoyed it but have to say my first yr was my best yr.2008

What we all missed this yr was the Pimms bus but we were told it had broken down, also, the amazing decor of the the mushroom chill out tent. With all the chairs and tables made out of trees and the decor was just beautiful.

Wasnt to amuzed by the burning of the wickerman as we got verbaly abused for standing up and drink thrown at us, not happy.

The burning of the wickerman last yr even though u couldn't see it because of the fog was amazing, emotional and really good atmosphere, with the whole antisapation of the fire walkers up to the wickerman the count down and the cheers and clapping.

All and all had a good wickerman.

Is there any lost property? As my friend Danni lost her digital camera and we all know how devestating that is because of all the pictures. Pictures on her camera are from when she went to Milasia and Great wall of china and also us lot at the Wickerman, if anyone has found it can you please get in contact with me thank you.

Best (ish) so far

Whilst i really enjoyed this years wickerman i have to say that the atmosphere for some of the small bands was completely destroyed by the over zealous banning of taking alcohol into the venue. More people were spending their time in the campsite than adding to the atmosphere while the smaller bands were playing. GET THIS SORTED OUT. there has never been a ban like this in all the years i have been attending (& its been a few!!) so why start now, are you not making enough money? is the bars complaining? let the people know? put the price of the ticket up if you must but PLEASE drop this stupid ban NOW. I possibly like most of the other people on here like to take some drinks in, I never take a huge amount because they get warm and then i hit the bars, still spend a fortune as it is expensive (£3.20 for a can of beer is a rip off!!) but in the current economic climate maybe you have made a massive mistake here? get it back the way it was. On the plus side i thought the music this year was excellent, Bad Manners and the Utah Saints without doubt my highlights. Maybe next year as well, you could invite some other cover bands along because the Counterfiet Clash were also great.

don't get any bigger, you're lovely the way you are!!

Wickerman gets better every year, but I don't think it should get any bigger.
The size of the festival adds to it's charm and security. Great for adults and kids.
This year's bands were brill, especially the Utah Saints. Everyone dancing in the early hours was brlliant.
I hope heaven is like wickerman!

Not how a festival should be.

The event would have been a complete success if it was not for the corporate style of leeching every last penny out of those attending. i.e. your there and you have no other choice.
My main bug bare in particular was the enforcement of no no drinks policy. The manner in which the 'officials' invasively searched every paying customer upon entry to the event to ensure that they were carrying no alcohol of any kind. This then forced attenders to go to the sole token office on the whole site to buy drinks tokens before continuing on to buy beverages from one of the three inadequate bars around the compound. For me the atmosphere was quite utterly destroyed and i quite honestly would not want to go again. A shame really, since the idea was good.

mike and shaun shap lads on tour

First time at the wickerman so was a leap of faith for the both of us. From getting there on thursday until leaving on sun morning had a cracking time atmosphere from the start was brilliant the band in the beer tent were a good start to the event got every one in the right mood for the weekend. Mainly spent most of our time in the scooter tent as aging punks but really enjoyed some of the acts on the main stage especially when you can get so close to the stage (try doing that 5 mins before the act starts at glasto or T!
Only downside was the price of the drink but on the plus the token system works well with no massive waits to get served at the bar and plenty of barstaff working.
A few more showers wouldnt go amiss had a decent wait for them in the morning even when i was there before 8 in the morning!
Plenty of varity music wise something for everyone where else can you watch goldblade to full on mental for an hour then just walk outside and chill out listening to Candi staton great!
Overall a great weekend helped by decent weather, Great site, Great atmosphere, Great people and especially great music we will definatly be coming next year
Cheers
Mike and Shaun

defo be back next year :) :)

First year here after 14 yrs of TITP due to the fact the kids love music and want to experience the atmosphere of festivals(their 2nd festival) definately not disappointed, safe, friendly place to bring them.
..........Although I bought D&D passes the boys toilets were terrible my son used the normal toilets as there were no queues and seemed to be cleaned more.
Kids are reformed people after seeing counterfeit clash.
We are coming back next year but with ALL our friends
....sorry if we hit anyone in the campsite with our frisbee but we will practise for next year :) :) :) :)