Rothiemurchus, Aviemore, 22-24 June 2007

Roddy Woomble.

LUCKILY I’d looked at the weather forecast. At the last minute I threw a sturdy pair of boots, a woolly hat and a selection of waterproof clothing in the back of the car. I was genuinely excited about my weekend at The Outsider, dubbed Britain’s Most Beautiful Festival.

Taking place at beautiful Rothiemurchus in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, The Outsider was created to allow people to make the most of some of the UK’s most stunning scenery, as well as incorporating a vast array of top bands and comedy acts from across the country. It also had a strong environmental element, its aim to show that wanting to save the planet doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time!

The site certainly didn’t disappoint – the campsite nestled amongst trees, while the Cairngorms and surrounding woodlands erupted majestically in the distance. After finding a pitch equidistant between the tea and toast van (later to prove my saving grace) and the main arena, I set about erecting my brand new Vango Gamma 350 with spacious porch area, meaning I had somewhere to chill out if the weather dictated that inside was better than out (my second saving grace of the weekend).

With the sun twinkling through the trees and everyone in good spirits, I was ready for my festival to begin. After a hearty bacon roll to keep the energy level up, I decided to checkout the start of the weekend’s entertainment.

I headed for the Planet tent to see King Creosote. What a great way to start the weekend. With several albums under his belt and an eclectic style of catchy tunes, the festival-goers in the tent seemed to lap up their first taste of the weekend’s music.

On the Talisker stage, whose purple peaks dominated the main arena, there was time for a quick highland fling to the Peatbog Faeries, who had the whole site tapping their toes to their catchy Scottish tunes.

With all the musical entertainment over for the night, it was time to get my bearings. The site was small, so it was easy to negotiate. A cluster of tents that sold anything from wellies to wigs, dreamcatchers to diet fudge, were littered between the stalls highlighting outdoor activities in the local area and tips on how to cut down our impact on the planet.

Alongside these stood an excellent array of food stalls, a fabulous selection of healthy organic food – stovies, risotto, hog roast, baked potatoes, falafel, as well as sweet treats with a crepe and waffle stand. A refreshing change to other festivals I’ve attended, with not a chip van in sight!

I wandered up to the lit Totem poles which overlooked the whole site, one depicting the human element to the area and the other the area’s wildlife – I had a great time deciphering what each of the sections signified.

Lastly, it was a quick drop in to the Dalwhinnie Pavilion, where people danced in cowboy hats and fairy wings, while films showed mountains bikers hurtling down the hillside – I’m guessing it was a fitting incentive for the intrepid bikers who were setting off the next day.

I awoke to the pitter patter of rain on my tent, a sound I would grow accustomed to over the next two days. After grabbing a cup of tea, and toast lathered in organic chocolate spread, I headed off to cheer on the Mountain bike competitors – they had come from far and wide, including across Europe, to head off into the countryside for an exhilarating ride through the stunning surrounds (part of a collection of races).

Now, although there was a huge spread of activities that could be done in and around the site, the weather wasn’t necessarily conducive to a whole day outside. I set about staying dry by drifting in and out of the comedy and film tents, waiting for a gap in the clouds to embrace the outdoors. Instead I had to make do with some music in the rain.

I sheltered in a friend’s gazebo and listened to the vibrant sound of Capercaillie float across the misty site, before braving the elements and heading towards the main stage.

Willy Mason’s folk-edged country music went down well with the crowds, especially when the birthday girl KT Tunstall bounced on stage in her vibrant pink jeans to accompany the band on one of their tunes.

Next on the main stage were Scotland’s young rockers Idlewild, who warmed up the eager fans with a selection of their hits. A highlight came in the form of a crowd surfer appropriately dressed for the weather in a full wet-suit and flippers. As his webbed silhouette made its way across the sea of Gortex, it was clear the Highland spirit wasn’t going to be dampened by a few spots (OK maybe quite a few spots) of rain.

There’s was only time for a Haggis and Neeps in a tattie to warm me up before the last act on the main stage. With the crowd whipped up into a dancing frenzy, it was time for headliner KT Tunstall to take to the stage. Looking stunning in a silver mini-dress she shimmied and sparkled her way through her first headline slot at a festival. With a mix of old and new songs, a cover of the Jackson 5’s ‘I Want You Back’ and even a spot of Robotic dancing, she lit up the stage.

I ended my evening with a swim, sorry dance, in the planet tent to the Complete Stone Roses, a fitting tribute to the Manchester baggy band.

I spent Sunday morning dodging the plucky runners who were braving the elements in the 12km run, and squeezed into the Dalwhinnie Pavilion with most of the other revellers for a warm, dry(ish) screening of ‘Finding Nemo’.

Although this had been set up for the kids, it was a welcome respite from the soggy socks and leaking tents that prevailed round every tree. Next was learning how I could reduce my carbon emissions in my own home with a great interactive display in the inflatable ‘Friends of the Earth’ tent.

There had been a shuffle on the Talisker Stage that meant there would be no music till 4.30pm, which was a little disappointing, so I made my way indoors, away from the driving rain, to watch the last few songs of Injuns in the Planet Tent (via the waffle stand might I add – apparently it is important to stay stocked up with warm sugary foods in such adverse weather conditions!)

I hung around out of the rain to catch a solo set by Idlewild’s front man Roddy Woomble, playing songs from his recent release ‘My Secret is my Silence’. Roddy was ably assisted by John McCusker, who was in high demand, playing again straight after with Eddi Reader and Julie Fowlis.

The young and very talented ‘Make Model’, hailing from the Highlands and now based in Glasgow, concluded my Outsider experience.

So, with the last notes of Eddie Reader’s ‘Perfect’ drifting across the waterlogged site, the onset of trench foot and no dry clothes left, I decided to call it a day. Here’s hoping next year that the weather is kinder to the festival so it can live up to its name, as to be honest, I spent quite a lot of this year’s festival inside.

© Fiona Carr, 2007

Links

• The Outsider
• Highland 2007