KNOCKENGORROCH WORLD CEILIDH OPENS FESTIVAL SEASON

Tonight on the Fraoch Cabaret Stage in the Fraoch Bar tent will be The Mindsweepers, Heid (bringing a ceilidh sound that is modern, fun and kickass), Andy Paterson (Scottish singer songwriter playing his original folk tunes), The Chaos Quartet (a wide range of tunes and styles from trad and bee-bop to free jazz and unusual covers), Pepperjam and Nero da Zero (electronic sounds to be discovered).

There are major stars performing throughout the four day festival including Skerryvore tomorrow night.

The festival began one mid-summer 1998 and a spokesman said: “It all began the year after an international ‘rainbow gathering’ took place on the land, and since then have moved from strength to strength without losing any of our original character.

“We now attract people from all over Scotland, the UK, and beyond, and have acted as an inspiration for several other festivals in Dumfries and Galloway, and further afield.”

Meanwhile a warning has been issued by Police Scotland about the dangers that festival goers can face including theft, drugs and other crime.

A police spokesman said; “We recognise that attendees intend to have fun and enjoy the entertainment but please be mindful that festivals can attract a lot of thieves who gather anywhere there is an easy opportunity to commit crime.”