Pitlochry ready to do it all again after March success
The Dunwells were a hit in Pitlochry. Photo: Martin MacLeod Films Plan are already being hatched for a third March Into Pitlochry music festival ... writes Gordon Bannerman.
Buoyed by the success of last month’s weekend event in the Town Hall and McKays Hotel, the seven-strong band of music-mad volunteers are confident it’s putting Highland Perthshire on the cultural map.
And they believe that if Perth wins the race to become UK City of Culture 2021, there will be spin-off benefits for outlying rural communities.
In addition to sponsorship from Belhaven and various supportive businesses, organising committee member Stephen Carruthers welcomed a £1500 grant from the Perth 2021 Creative Communities Fund, along with £500 from the Enchanted Forest and Pitlochry Major Events, with input from Heartland and Perthshire Sound and Light.
He said: “The feedback has been universally positive.
“We were warned by people like Ron Ellon, who started Belladrum and joined us again in Pitlochry this year, that it could take a few years for any event like this to wash its face.
“But given the support we have received from various quarters and ticket sales up 50% year on year we have already managed to break even and that has encouraged us to look towards a third festival for March 24/24 in 2018.
“The target now has to be to sell out the 350-capacity Pitlochry Town Hall on both nights of the festival.
“It was fantastic that Perth and Kinross Council and the team behind Perth 2021 appreciate what we are trying to do for the music and cultural scene in Highland Perthshire.
“We are wholeheartedly behind the City of Culture bid because there’s no doubt Perth and Kinross as a whole will share in the benefits it would bring to both the city and the wider area.”
Stephen said organisers had been bombarded with rave reviews for a string of bands, with an estimated 70% of music fans taking in the festival being lured from out of town.
“We have had great feedback from people across Scotland and others who came from Yorkshire, and even Germany. It’s great to see the event enjoying such widespread appeal and we are keen to build on our success.”
While Hunter and the Bear, the Dunwells and Johnny Cage and the Voodoo Groove topped the bill, Steve said it was also important to provide a stage for local and emerging bands and performers, including Dannie Smillie, The Purple Felts and the Carloways.
“One young band, the Altinak, are another to keep an eye on. These 17-yearolds were at school in Linlithgow until 3.30pm, jumped in a dad’s car, got here for a 5.30pm soundcheck and were on stage for 7pm on the Friday night. Giving young talent a chance to shine is a key ingredient of the festival.”
The organisers welcomed input from six senior pupils at Breadalbane Academy who handled social media and the merchandise stand.
Stephen explained: “These pupils are keen to pursue media studies when they leave school and they also weighed in with making sure the bands got fed and watered.
“Martin MacLeod Films captured the bands in action. Martin is studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and hails from Pitlochry. We were delighted to give him access to the various bands.”
As in previous years, the festival supported Parkinson’s UK.