'Everyone's welcome at The Gathering' coordinator highlights inclusive vibe

The Gathering returns on Saturday with headliners Tide Lines and the mix of fresh talent, legends of traditional music and tastes of Highland culture that has made it an essential fixture on the early summer calendar since 2019.

But the one-day festival should not be taken for granted. This year the cost-of-living crisis is digging in, along with problems of supply for big events – of workforce and infrastructure, such as staging. For promoters and event producers, these are anxious times with a couple of festivals in the north having cancelled this year, the most recent being the Midnight Sun Weekender planned for Stornoway.

Dougie Brown, festival producer of The Gathering and Belladrum, said: “For events across the UK – probably the world – the challenges have been coming from all angles.

“We feel fortunate at The Gathering and Belladrum that they are loved events.

“But every sale is a challenge.”

Festival coordinator Claire Clark said: “Tide Lines are returning to headline which is really exciting and we are delighted to have them back and they have such a strong following, so it’s great having them back with us.”

The band brought out their album An Ocean Full Of Islands in February this year. And since they popped into HMV in Inverness for an album preview, the album made number one in Scotland and number 13 in the UK.

“They have just been on a tour which has been hugely successful, so it is always nice for them to come back and do a festival in the Highlands,” Claire said.

This year’s line-up – as ever – builds around their headliner.

“We start there,” Claire said, “We have our hitlist for headliners and once they are confirmed, we work out who will complement that nicely. And also we want to have a nice mix of new and up-and-coming acts, and bands like Torridon – who will be playing from 5-6pm – and they will be playing more of an upbeat party vibe. That is how the line-up is shaped, we talk it over as a team.

“Beinn Lee we haven’t had before and they have a contemporary take on traditional music, which is what we love and is our ethos as well, wanting to showcase the culture as it is now. We love traditional music but having this contemporary take on it is what we want to do as well.”

Also joining The Gathering line-up this year is Hannah Rarity, who last played the venue with the Dandelion Festival last year.

Claire said: “Hannah has a stunning voice and is a former Young Traditional Musician Of The Year and will bring a nice gentle start to the stage.”

A traditional fixture opening up the day in front of the main stage is the City of Inverness Youth Pipe Band.

And also exciting is a fresh name with the arrival of Talisk.

Claire said: “We have been trying to get them for four years, so this is a first!”

There is the chance to catch up with the sound of traditional music legends Shooglenifty who reveal their latest line-up, after the sad loss of their former fiddle-player and frontman Angus Grant. Another highlight of the 2023 line-up will be the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and their spectacular dancers.

At the second stage, this year sponsored by Tomatin Whisky, Rant will headline. As well as the music line-up, there will be the chance for youngsters and families to try out musical instruments – a great way to foster interest in music from a young age. For the first time, Ceitidh Campbell will present Gaelic poetry at the second stage too.

But there will also be the return of the popular Meet The Makers feature, where local brewers and distillers share their story and the chance to sample their products.

Highland dancers will be performing through the day at the cricket crease and aerial performers too.

Stage 2 will be opened at 12.30pm by Josie Duncan in association with Bogha Frois, representing Queer Voices in Folk.

“I feel we have a really eclectic and diverse programme that is a lot more than music,” Claire said. “And a kids’ programme we are really proud of too!

"For us it’s about everyone feeling welcome, that’s the message we want to send out about The Gathering.”

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