The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Palace keen for more after huge success of Biggest Weekend.
Some 20,000 revellers converged on venue
Pages 4-5
Perthshire’s Scone Palace looks set to become a leading music venue following the success of BBC’s Biggest Weekend.
Some 20,000 people descended on the estate for the two-day festival, sparking calls for more events in future.
World-famous acts including Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Simple Minds, Emeli Sande and Amy Macdonald wowed the crowds on Saturday, following Radio Three’s classical and jazz showcase on Friday.
A delighted Stephen Brannigan, head of house opening at Scone Palace, said: “I 100% want to see things like the Biggest Weekend happening more often in Perth.
“We had a debrief after the event last night and the response has been fantastic.
“Working in partnership with the BBC, the council and everyone else who was involved made it possible for us to hold such a fantastic event.
“We would like to work with them again for future events – that would be the dream scenario.
“We have shown we can accommodate an event of this scale so we will be looking to host more in future.”
Radio Two presenters Sara Cox and Ken Bruce hosted the festival on Saturday and both want to see smaller cities included in the festival circuit.
Sara said: “I know myself coming from Bolton that there’s nothing more annoying than listening to the radio and people are talking about festivals in London.
“When you’re in Perth, Dundee or Bolton you don’t give a monkey’s so it’s good to come to places like this because they’re so beautiful and fans get to enjoy the music.”
As well as soaking up the atmosphere at Scone, Glasgow-born Ken Bruce took the opportunity to enjoy Scotland’s national drink during a visit to Glenturret Distillery, near Crieff.
He said: “For us to do something like this is fantastic because it gives people who live in this part of the world something right on their doorstep.
“The big cities attract big artists because they have the biggest venues but that can mean a lot of expense for people who live in places like Perth when you consider the cost of the ticket, transport and hotel expenses.
“It’s really important for the BBC to put people over profit and hold festivals in smaller towns and cities.”
Gillian Croft, 33, from Auchterarder, enjoyed the festival as an early celebration for her birthday today.
She said: “It has been a great day and atmosphere and the weather has just been a bonus.”
And sister Alison Croft, 30, took advantage of the event on the outskirts of her home village of Scone, to experience a festival for the first time.
“The music is good and the weather is great, what more can you ask for?” she said. “I’d like to go to more after being here.”
Martin Loy, 28, from Scone said: “I always went to T in the Park, it was the best festival and I’ve really missed that so it’s good to have something back in the area.”