BELLADRUM:
A HISTORY
The Founding of Belladrum Festival
Belladrum festival is one of the most unique and anticipated music festivals in Scotland. It was first established in 2004 by Joe Gibbs, a farmer and music lover.
Joe wanted to create an event that would bring together a diverse range of music genres, from indie to folk, and showcase local and international talent. He worked tirelessly alongside a team of committed volunteers and local businesses to bring his vision to life.
Over the years, Belladrum has grown in popularity and now attracts thousands of visitors each year. The festival has become synonymous with its picturesque location, eccentric atmosphere, and musical diversity, firmly establishing itself as a staple of Scotland's festival scene.
Archived Video - John Gibbs 2005
Archived Video - Belladrum 2004
POSTERS OF PREVIOUS BELLADRUM FESTIVALS
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Achievements
Attendance: Hosting over 20 successful editions of the festival since its inception in 2004, the festival has consistently grown larger every year. In 2022, the festival drew in a record-breaking 20,000 attendees. That's nearly double the attendance of the festival's early years.
Major Artists: The performance lineup has also seen significant growth, with bigger and better acts taking the stages each year. The festival has evolved from mainly local bands to include major headliners from around the world. E.g. Franz Ferdinand, Tom Jones, The Proclaimers, Ed Sheeran, Lewis Capaldi and many, many more.
Emerging Artists: Supporting emerging talent in Scotland through its dedicated grassroots platform, the Seedlings Stage.
Duration: The festival has grown from a one-day event to a full weekend extravaganza. In 2010, the festival expanded to a two-day event, and in 2015 it became a three-day festival.
Environment: Achieved a 50% reduction in waste thanks to the implementation of the Clean Fields initiative and the ongoing success of the Green Bella campaign.
Cultural: Contributing to the cultural and economic development of the Highlands region, attracting visitors to the area and showcasing its natural beauty and heritage.
Facilities: The festival has also increased its amenities to accommodate the growing attendance. More restrooms, ATMs, food vendors, and camping areas have been added to the festival grounds.
Awards
Best Large Festival at The Scottish E Awards in 2023.
Best Cultural Event at the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards in 2019.
Best Medium-Sized Festival at the UK Festival Awards in 2016, 2018, and 2019.
Best Grass Roots Festival at the UK Festival Awards in 2018 and 2019.
Best Family Festival at the UK Festival Awards in 2017 and 2018.
Best Line-Up at the UK Festival Awards in 2014, 2015, and 2018.
Scottish Thistle Awards for Best Cultural Event, National Finals nominee in 2018.
Scottish Thistle Awards for Best Cultural Event, Regional Finals winner in 2017.
Highly Commended for Best Brand Activation at the UK Festival Awards in 2015.
Highly Commended for Best Use of Social Media at the UK Festival Awards in 2014.
Belladrum Festival has won numerous awards recognizing its excellence in different areas such as festival size, family-friendliness, line-up, cultural events, social media, brand activation, and grassroots. The Scottish Thistle Awards have also recognized the festival for its promotion of cultural events.