Doubts over future of RockNess
NEGOTIATIONS are still taking place between landowners and organisers of the RockNess music festival.
But last night farmer Alisdair Grant was confident a deal would be struck for the event to return to his land at Dores.
He spoke out as speculation over the future of the event continues to grow, despite a spokeswoman for the organisers stating the event will "definitely" happen next year.
"The contract has not been finalised yet," said Mr Grant, whose five-year deal signed in 2008 has expired.
"We are just negotiating at the moment to see what is going on.
"They haven’t got it all mapped
out."
Five years ago Mr Grant, who normally keeps sheep and cattle on the 85-acre field, told the Courier he believed the event, which started in 2006,
was the saviour of his farming busi-ness.
Some of the RockNess site belongs to Roger Tempest, of Aldourie Castle, but he was not available for comment yesterday.
Last week music fans used the event’s Facebook site to question if it would be staged and when tickets would be available.
Tickets are already on sale for the 2013 Belladrum Festival which takes place in August, two months after RockNess’s annual June date.
RockNess, which won the title of Best Large Festival and the Event Management Grand Prix at the Scottish Events Awards earlier this year and Best Small Festival at the NME Awards, brings around 35,000 fans each day to its site on Clune Farm at Dores. Last year’s headline acts included Mumford and Sons, Ed Sheeran and Biffy Clyro.
RockNess organisers would not discuss negotiations last night.
