Crowded House & KT Tunstall for new Scottish festival

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, happening at the Rothiemurchus Estate in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th June.

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, debate and activities. Some of the activities available include: the Merida Outsider Mountain Bike event, Britain's Most Beautiful Run, wildlife walks, gorge walking, rafting, canoeing and astronomy.

Music-wise, on the Main Stage on the Saturday is KT Tunstall, and the Sunday has the reformed Crowded House. 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.

On Friday night there's a 'Welcome to Scotland Event', which will include appearances by Peatbog Faeries, Blazin Fiddles, Salsa Celtica and King Creosote alongside DJ’s such as Motherfunk. In the film tent there will be a full programme of movies including specialist screenings and a selection of some of the world’s best mountain bike related movies.

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.

Craig Hill will be part of strong line-up of well known comedians who will take part each evening in the Outsider Comedy Show in the Theatre Tent.

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.

Tickets are on sale at these early bird prices until 31st March: Weekend pass (Friday-Sunday) £50; Friday night only £15; Saturday only £25; Sunday only £25 - click here to buy.

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