The Glamis Gathering is to make a repeat appearance this year as one of the highlights on the Angus calendar.
Buoyed by the success of last May’s spectacle, Scotland’s largest celebration of the Queen’s diamond jubilee programme, the organisers unveiled plans for a family-focused weekend at Glamis Castle on May 18 and 19.
They hope the memory of last year’s triumph will encourage thousands back and, in the process, deliver a boost to the Ninewells Cancer Campaign, which is to be the charity beneficiary of the two-day programme.
Montrose’s Robina Addison and north-east man Norman Fiddes will put their valuable experience of last May to the Glamis Gathering 2013 and, at a castle launch, said they were delighted Glamis had agreed to once again be the host venue.
“Last year was such a success that we thought the Glamis Gathering should be over two days.
“We also thought a charity should be involved and had no hesitation selecting the Ninewells Cancer Campaign,” said Mr Fiddes.
Saturday’s focus will be on music with a Live on the Lawn programme, featuring a Michael Buble tribute act, ceilidh band Iron Broo, all-girl rock band Glitz, Blairgowrie Pipe Band and fiddler Paul Anderson.
The Sunday family fun day will see the Singing Kettle bring their new show to the castle, with the programme also including TV-insipired competition Glammerjack, a cookery demonstration by Kilted Chef Craig Wilson, Angus farmers’ market and a host of other attractions.
“Last year’s event was free but we have set the ticket prices at what we believe to be very reasonable levels and are, therefore, hoping for quite a considerable crowd,” said Robina.
Full details are available at the Glamis Gathering 2013 website.
At the castle launch, cancer campaign chairman Lady Fiona Fraser said: “We are extremely grateful to be involved with this event.
“The great thing is that we always say that our campaign is local so to be linked into something like this is absolutely fantastic,” she added.