Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival delivers £11.2 million boost to Scotland’s economy
Our 2025 impact report highlights Belladrum as a major driver of tourism, jobs and regional growth in the Highlands
Off the back of our 2025 event we undertook a new and updated economic impact report, we’re delighted to say that the final reporting has arrived, and that the festival delivered a powerful economic boost to the Highlands and Scotland, with the 2025 event generating £11.2 million for the national economy and supporting more than 100 related jobs in the region, according to a new independent economic impact assessment of the 2025 festival.
The report shows that Belladrum generated £7.8 million in net economic impact for the Highlands, underlining our festival’s importance not only as a cultural highlight but as a significant economic engine for the region.
Visitor spending directly linked to Belladrum totalled £5.6 million, representing money brought into the region specifically because the festival took place. When this spend circulated through local businesses, suppliers and employees, the overall benefit rose to £7.8 million for the Highlands and an impressive £11.2 million across Scotland.
“It is incredible seeing the economic impact Bella has annually in both the local community and across the wider Highlands & Scotland. We strive wherever possible to
work alongside regional partners and suppliers and look forward to working alongside current and new companies, organisations and charities over the coming years.”
Dougie Brown, Festival Producer
For a region where tourism employment is often seasonal, the 2025 event supported the equivalent of 102 tourism-related jobs in the Highlands, rising to 147 jobs across Scotland. We also continued our partnership with UHI students once again, offering them the opportunity to apply and take part in volunteer and hands-on experiences on site, a valuable partnership that has grown over the last several years. Roles include accreditation, event management support, marketing, production and more.
Almost half of our attendees travelled from outside the Highland Council area, and more than three-quarters cited Bella as their sole or main reason for visiting the region.
This impact is in addition to the £150,000 raised for local good causes via charity partnerships and ticket donations last year.
From our first year way back in 2004, Belladrum has grown steadily over more than two decades to become one of Scotland’s most established (and largest) major outdoor music events, and we’re now operating at our final capacity of 25,000 attendees per day.
This year, we’re hitting the fields for our 22nd edition taking place 30 July to 1 August and we can’t wait to be back with you all, very soon. For those who missed our previous announcements, our lineup includes our usual eclectic mix of artists from heritage acts to up and coming performers such as Callum Beattie, James, The Human League, Mika, Razorlight, Ella Henderson, Sigala, Scouting For Girls and Kula Shaker, alongside hundreds of artists across multiple stages.
