sunny Wickerman festival has a cosy feel, and lots to do

Having been both scared and bemused by 'The Wickerman' film of 1973 I finally make it all the way up to Scotland to visit the festival inspired by the cult film. Driving close to the site after navigating a few small towns hidden in the trees of Dumfries and Galloway you can clearly see the small festival; perched on hills overlooking, well, more hills. This instantly gives it a cosy feel, not like a huge commercial event like V or Reading.

The organisers make it simple for you too on arrival. Park up, carry your temporary home a little way and find a space to camp. There is a lot of room, the most room I have seen at a festival in the last few years. The wristband exchange is situated close to the arena entrance, so it does not take long to become ready to enjoy the festival.

There is a lot to do, and it has been likened to Glastonbury (smaller, yes) for the broad array of bands on the line-up, and the large number of tents. There is the main Summerisle Stage, complete with two inflatable fires, the Scooter Tent for punk and ska, the huge military based Bass camp and it's three dance tents, the Reggae Axis Sound System tent, the acoustic village, new Scottish bands play in the Solus tent, the headphone arena has both a disco and bands playing through headphones, and small wooden pod-like stage Ho Down Wendy House hosts Glaswegians The Chihuahuas and others.

Other things beside music are the Burnstation, where people can read Burn's poems to celebrate the Scottish hero. The Ingrid Pitt word Stage sees some poetry over the weekend, situated next to the large children's area and the Barabajagal jamming yurt (bring your own instrument to join in). Along with a clairvoyant, yoga sessions, open mic, drumming workshops and a gallery / stage, over at the other side of the festival is a crazy golf course (where you have to play around many things found on a farm!) and a Mountain Bike Pump Track, where a fiver loans you a bike to complete the track (adults and children), you are not short of various entertainment! Prior to the festival there was also a chance to win a spot of firewalking... what a prize!

The fairground hosts a few rides, bumper cars and an inflatable slide for youngsters. The village shop sells reasonably priced things like ice cream, biscuits, Frisbees and postcards! The Guardian newspaper and local Daily Record (also sponsors of the festival) can be bought next door.

Finally the huge wickerman, modelled to look like Rabbie Burns (well loved local Scottish poet who wrote 'Auld Lang Syne') stands to the side of the main stage, this year holding aloft a book. Seems like a shame to burn it...

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