Wickerman set for ritual burning

Jul 20 2010 By Michael Pringle

The Wickerman Festival

T IN THE Park is undisputedly the biggest outdoor music festival in Scotland with up to 85,000 people in attendance each day.

It may have some of the biggest names in the music world appearing, but is it the best?

Some will argue it's now too big and too busy, with others arguing that it should be made bigger to keep up with the demand for tickets.

While there is no doubt that TITP is the most successful commercial festival, there are other festivals in the country that are quietly (or loudly) working away doing there own thing on a smaller scale. RockNess kicked off the outdoor music festivals and seems to get better every year. Several festivals have fallen by the wayside in recent years including Connect and Loch Lomond Festivals. The Wickerman Festival in Dumfries and Galloway, which takes place on Friday July 23 and 24 is one festival that looks to be lasting the test of time. Somewhere in the region of 15,000 will attend the festival this weekend and take in headline acts like Ocean Colour Scene, The Charlatans, The Undertones, Goldie Lookin Chain, The Saw Doctors and The Buzzcocks.

As well as the live music there will be a host of activities including; mountain biking, a synthetic ice rink, a sinistre cinema and laser quest to keep everyone happy.

And of course there's the ritual burning of the Wickerman at midnight on Saturday. Weekend tickets which include camping and parking cost £85 for adults, the festival also welcomes kids and there's a host of activities to keep the younger ones interested. Kids newborn to 12-years-old go free when tickets are obtained with an adult ticket, ages 13 to 15 cost £42.50. Check out www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk for more info.