A recent report commissioned from Mackay Consultants by Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival shows that the Highland economy benefited by £4.6 million from the event in 2014. Meanwhile the wider Scottish economy benefited to the tune of £6.6 million.
“In the 12 years of its existence, Belladrum has always remained firmly rooted in the Highland community and it is rewarding to see this is reflected in the cash benefit transferred back to the Highlands, and Scotland as a whole, by the event,” said festival promoter Joe Gibbs.
We’ve had a look through the document and it presents some interesting nuggets of information:
* A survey by the organisers showed an average expenditure per person of £246, which works out at £123 per day. Applying that to the 13,500 festival-goers (not including the 3,500 kids that attend the event) gives a total expenditure estimate of approximately £3.3 million.
* 32% of the artists’ fees went to bands from the Highlands. Most of the main contractors were local businesses and 35% of the traders and market stalls were local.
* In a survey run by the organisers they asked, “Which of our sponsors can you remember seeing in 2014?” 87% responded saying that they recalled seeing the Back Isle Brewery, which can only be great news for the brewery’s marketing team!
* Lead charity Archie raised £4,200 at this years festival. A further £8,700 was donated to the other 70 charities and community organisations represented at the festival.
* The average annual direct contribution of Belladrum to the charitable and voluntary sector between 2012 and 2014 has been £24,200. This excludes the money raised by the individual charities as a result of this activity. Belladrum attendees might be there to party, but they’ve clearly got big (tartan) hearts and deep pockets too.
The festival takes place again on 6th- 8th August August 2015. A new optional premium three-day ticket has been added and The Proclaimers will take the honour of being the first Thursday night main headliner and will undoubtedly kick off the weekend in grand style. With due deference of course to the mighty rythmnreel who have traditionally been the ones to start the weekend off in the past.
Weekend, child (12 & under), campervan/caravan and electrical hook-up e-tickets can be purchased by going to the ticket link
.
Bella sold out in record time in 2014, and has sold out each of the last six years, often months before the event so fans are urged to buy early to avoid disappointment. E-tickets are more customer-friendly and less easy to scam, but printed tickets are also on sale via the usual retail outlets.
