Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival is back for its 21st year, promising an unforgettable celebration of music, community and creativity in the heart of the Highlands. Nestled in the stunning Belladrum Estate near Inverness, this unique festival fuses family-friendly fun, chart-topping talent and cultural charm across three exhilarating days. Whether you’re a seasoned “Bella” fan or a first-time visitor, this is your essential guide to making the most of the 2025 edition.
🎶 Line-Up Highlights for Belladrum 2025
With over 40 acts performing on Saturday alone, Belladrum 2025 offers one of the most diverse and exciting line-ups in the UK festival calendar.
Headliners to watch:
- Texas – Returning with their powerhouse vocals to close the festival
- Supergrass – Alt-rock legends with anthems from the 90s and 2000s
- Paul Heaton – Former Beautiful South frontman bringing iconic sing-alongs
- Natasha Bedingfield – Pop sensation behind “Unwritten” and “These Words”
- Tom Walker – Multi-platinum singer-songwriter known for heartfelt ballads
- CMAT – Ireland’s breakout star tipped as a future Glastonbury headliner
- Peter Capaldi – Yes, that Peter Capaldi, returning to his musical roots
Scottish favourites and emerging talent:
- Tide Lines
- Torridon
- Beluga Lagoon
- Nati
- The Dazed Digital Age
Add in a late-night DJ set by Gok Wan and over 100 performers across multiple stages, and it’s clear this is more than a festival, it’s a cultural institution
📍 Location: Belladrum Estate, Near Inverness
Set within 1,150 acres of Highland scenery just 12 miles west of Inverness, Belladrum Estate blends ancient woodland, rolling fields and a natural amphitheatre that hosts the main stage. Expect immersive surroundings that feel like something out of a Scottish fairytale.
Nearby villages:
- Beauly
- Kiltarlity
- Drumnadrochit
The venue has hosted the festival since its humble beginnings in 2004, when founder Joe Gibbs welcomed just 2,000 music fans. Now, it welcomes over 20,000 annually.
🏕️ Camping and Accommodation
Camping at Bella is part of the magic. Options range from standard pitches to glamping pods with added comforts.
Campsite zones include:
- Family camping – Quieter, child-friendly zones with space for prams
- General camping – Lively atmosphere close to the action
- Quiet camping – Strictly no partying after dark
- Accessible camping – Proximity to the arena with step-free access
For those preferring solid walls and soft beds, nearby Inverness and Beauly offer hotels, hostels and B&Bs. Early booking is essential.
🎭 2025 Theme: Film
Each year, Belladrum adopts a creative theme. For 2025, it’s all about film. Attendees are encouraged to don costumes inspired by cinema, from silver-screen classics to cult favourites.
Expect:
- Cosplay competitions
- Themed installations and art
- Roaming performers in Hollywood-worthy getup
🚗 Getting There: Travel and Transport Tips
Avoiding traffic delays is key. In 2023, long queues plagued arrivals. Since then, major improvements have been made.
🚗 Taxi
Order a local Inverness taxi by downloading the SafeKab app. or consider ridesharing with friends in an Inverness taxi where you can book 4,6 or 8 seater vehicles.
Call Inverness Taxis on 01463222222
Use our online booking service
🚍 Shuttle Buses
Regular festival shuttles run from:
- Inverness bus station
- Beauly
- Tore
- Drumnadrochit
- Dingwall
Book your shuttle tickets online in advance.
🚗 Driving
- Pre-book parking passes via the official Belladrum website
- Car-sharing to reduce traffic and emissions
- A one-way system and a 5mph limit will be in place on the estate
- Temporary speed restrictions (30mph and 20mph) apply on surrounding roads
🚲 Cyclists welcome
A designated cycle park will be available for those riding in.
☀️ Weather Forecast
The Highlands are famously unpredictable, but Belladrum tends to get lucky. That said, pack for all conditions.
2025 forecast (as of current updates):
- Thursday: Dry and breezy, highs of 18°C
- Friday: Light cloud and breezy, 19°C
- Saturday: Bright spells and 19°C highs -sunglasses at the ready
📺 Media Coverage and Streaming
BBC ALBA will be broadcasting Belladrum 2025 live across the weekend, with full coverage available on BBC iPlayer. Catch performances live or on demand from Thursday through Saturday.
💒 Festival Extras and Unique Features
Belladrum stands apart with its quirky extras and community atmosphere.
🌿 The Temple of Sound
A chapel-like venue where couples have even tied the knot during the festival.
🎨 Creative Spaces
Workshops, craft stalls and spoken-word events run alongside the music.
🎡 Family Area
Activities for children include:
- Puppet shows
- Circus skills
- Face painting
- Woodland storytelling trails
🐾 Bella for All Ages
With free tickets for children under 12 and a reputation for being family-focused, Bella is a safe and inclusive festival for all generations.
🛒 What to Bring to Belladrum
Festival essentials checklist:
- Tent, sleeping bag, roll mat
- Waterproof jacket and wellies
- Reusable water bottle (fill-up points available)
- Portable phone charger
- ID and ticket confirmation
- Fancy dress for the film theme
🔗 Useful Links
🎟️ Tickets and Entry Info
Tickets for Belladrum 2025 are selling fast. All tickets include general admission for all three days, and optional add-ons include parking, glamping, and shuttle passes. Children under 12 enter free, but still require a child ticket.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Belladrum 2025 promises to be a joyous, high-energy Highland gathering filled with music, love, and a little bit of mud. From its world-class acts to its unique setting and warm, welcoming crowd, Bella continues to earn its title as Scotland’s most loved music festival.
Whether you come for the headliners, the Highland scenery or simply the vibe, you’ll leave with memories that last a lifetime.
