The Outsider is a new event which combines all a music festival with a range of other activities, both in the festival arena and outside it too.
It takes place on the Rothiemurchus Estate in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. With a strong environmental agenda The Outsider isn't hiding from the issues. It's a festival for people who care about the world and want to participate rather than just consume.
Festival-goers can expect a line-up of old and new bands and DJs with a Scottish element, as well as film, comedy and debate. Some of the activities will include: the Merida Outsider Mountain Bike event, Britain's Most Beautiful Run, wildlife walks, gorge walking, rafting, canoeing and astronomy. There will be loads to do no matter how active (or not) you want to be.
Main stage bands include KT Tunstall on the Saturday and Crowded House on the Sunday.
As well as the main stage there's the Party Tent featuring Scottish and Indie bands and DJ’s with bars and dancing, including Salsa Celtica, Shooglenifty, Blazin Fiddles, and Peatbog Faeries. For the music line-up to-date, click here.
There's comedy every night as compere Karen Dunbar presents top mirth masters, Stephen K Amos, Michael McIntyre, Craig Hill, Tony Law, Kevin Bridges, Greg McHugh and Steven Davidson’s Happy Hour. And the laughs aren’t just for grown-ups as James Campbell performs his award winning ‘Comedy 4 Kids’ show.
During the day The Blue Planet Tent will host The Outsider Forum. The forum will bring together key environmentalists and climate change experts to discuss pressing environmental issues. On Sunday Lord Steel, (former Leader of Liberal Party and first Presiding Officer of Scottish Parliament), will host the Blue Planet debate assessing whether 'necessity will be the mother of invention' and if new technology be our saviour from climate change. At night in the Blue Planet Tent there's DJ Fred Deakin.
Glenmore Lodge and many local activity providers will offer a range of both off-site and festival arena activities from wild life watching and gorge walking to Canadian canoeing on the Spey and rock climbing in locations around the national park. Many activities and shows will be included in the ticket price, some will require pre-booking and some are offered at a special festival rate.
The Merida Outsider will be part of the Merida Bikes MTB Marathon Series and takes place on Saturday 23 June 2007. With three different distances – 20km, 45km and 65km – this will be a mountain bike event for all abilities who can experience a course on world-class trails through stunning scenery.
Britain’s Most Beautiful Run is a 12k trail run appealing to runners of all abilities. The route follows trails through stunning scenery along the shores of Loch an Eilean and through the Rothiemurchus estate.
Many of the activities are free but there will be a special festival rate for others. Details of how these can be accessed will be announced soon.
Tickets are on sale, prices as follows: £20 Friday, £35 Saturday, £35 Sunday, £65 Weekend. Click here to buy.
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