Heartland Music Festival – Pitlochry, Scotland 2026
Overview
The Heartland Music Festival is a vibrant, family-friendly celebration of Scottish and UK music in the scenic Highland town of Pitlochry, blending top headlining acts with emerging talent on dual stages to create an unforgettable weekend of live entertainment and community spirit. Launched in 2024 by organizer Graham Howie, it has quickly become a summer highlight, drawing thousands to the Recreation Ground for a mix of pop, rock, indie, and folk sounds against the stunning backdrop of the River Tummel and Perthshire hills. As a post-pandemic revival, it emphasizes accessibility with affordable tickets and a focus on local charities like Pavilion User Groups (PUGS) and Pitlochry Community Action Trust, while fostering a relaxed atmosphere where families picnic, dance, and discover new favorites.
For 2026, the third edition takes place over a weekend, featuring 22 acts across the Heartland Stage and Discovery Stage, including confirmed headliners like The Skids on Saturday. Expect a blend of nostalgic anthems and fresh folk, with activities like artisan markets and shuttle services to enhance the experience, making it a perfect sun-drenched escape blending musical magic with Highland hospitality.
Event Highlights
- Main activities or performances: 22 acts over two days on the Heartland Stage (headliners like The Skids) and Discovery Stage (emerging Scottish talent); family-friendly afternoon sets shifting to evening dance anthems; past lineups included Idlewild, Tide Lines, Nina Nesbitt, Skerryvore, and The View.
- Special traditions or features: Annual early-bird ticket freeze at half price to reward loyal fans; charity support raising funds for local causes like PUGS and Pitlochry Community Action Trust; tradition of blending top acts with hidden gems to spotlight new Scottish artists.
- Unique attractions for visitors: Riverside setting with scenic trails for breaks between sets; picnic-friendly vibe allowing BYO food and drink; artisan markets and photo ops with Highland cows, blending festival energy with Pitlochry’s natural charm.
About this event
- Founded in 2024 by Graham Howie to revive live music in Highland Perthshire, evolving into a sell-out staple with 1,500+ early-bird tickets for 2026 already sold within 24 hours of the 2025 close.
- Focuses on Scottish and UK music, supporting local charities and Fair Work First policies, including the real Living Wage and workforce investment.
- Held at Pitlochry Recreation Ground, attracting thousands with a mix of headliners and discovery acts, emphasizing family inclusivity and community impact.
- Supported by partners like Tixel for safe resale and shuttle services for easy access; all proceeds aid local groups like PUGS and the Community Action Trust.
- Promotes sustainability with eco-friendly staging and a price promise ensuring no cheaper tickets elsewhere.
- Builds on 2025’s success with expanded camping options and monthly updates to keep the excitement building.
Why attend
Attending the Heartland Music Festival means immersing yourself in a Highland harmony where The Skids’ anthemic roar on the Heartland Stage blends with emerging folk whispers on the Discovery Stage, turning families into festival faithfuls as kids chase Highland cows and adults sway to Tide Lines’ tidal tunes against the Tummel’s gentle flow—it’s the effortless euphoria of picnicking on the grass while Nina Nesbitt’s voice rises with the hills, all infused with Pitlochry’s welcoming whisper that makes every encore feel like home. With its affordable joy and charity heart, it’s a haven for melody seekers and multi-gen groups, sparking those spontaneous sing-alongs that linger like mist on the moors.
Beyond the stages, you’re amplifying a post-revival renaissance that spotlights Scottish talent and funds local dreams, your weekend a quiet cheer for the festival’s vision of community amplification. Whether chasing indie introspection or rock revelry, the festival’s fusion of accessibility and artistry delivers those horizon-hugging highs—perfect for a June jaunt where the music meets the mountains in Scotland’s artistic heart.
Date & Duration
- Dates: June 26 – June 28, 2026
- Duration: 3 days
Venue / Location
- Main venue: Pitlochry Recreation Ground, a riverside open-air site perfect for stages and crowds with scenic views and easy access.
- Additional venues: No formal additional sites; all activities centered at the recreation ground for a compact experience.
- Main event Google location address: Pitlochry Recreation Ground, Ferry Road, Pitlochry PH16 5AA, Scotland
Ticket Information
- Tickets are sold online via the official website (heartlandfestival.co.uk); advance purchase essential as early birds sell out fast, with resale via Tixel for safe secondary market.
- Admission is paid, with family discounts to encourage group attendance.
- Ticket pricing in USD only: Early bird weekend passes $38 to $57 USD; Tier 3 now available at $95 USD.
- Minimum and maximum tickets pricing: Minimum $38 USD (early bird weekend ticket); maximum $95 USD (Tier 3 weekend pass).
- No lottery system; first-come, first-served with a price promise—no cheaper tickets elsewhere.
- Special seating or VIP options: No formal VIP; general admission with flexible standing/blanket areas; camping add-ons available separately.
Booking with Euro Travelo
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Contact Information
- Email: hello@heartlandfestival.co.uk (general inquiries, tickets, and support).
- Phone: Not specified; use email or website form for responses within 48 hours.
- Website: https://heartlandfestival.co.uk (full program, bookings, and updates).
- Social Media: @theheartlandfestival (Instagram and Facebook for lineups, photos, and announcements).
- Key Staff: Graham Howie (Festival Promoter, contact via email for programming queries).
- Press/Volunteers: Press inquiries to hello@heartlandfestival.co.uk; volunteer opportunities via website (TBD for 2026, English support available).
Getting There
- Nearest airports: Inverness Airport (INV), 80 miles away (1.5-hour drive via A9); Edinburgh Airport (EDI) for more flights, about 70 miles (1-hour drive via A9).
- Public transport: Trains from London Kings Cross to Pitlochry (6 hours via LNER/ScotRail); local buses connect from Perth or Aviemore.
- Driving: Access via A9, with parking at the recreation ground and nearby town lots (£5–10/day); SatNav postcode PH16 5AA.
- Cycling/walking: Pitlochry’s paths are bike-friendly; racks at venue; station to ground 15-minute walk.
- Accessibility: Wheelchair-friendly ground with ramps; taxis from station ($15 via apps); contact for priority parking.
Accommodation Options
- Budget stays: Premier Inn Pitlochry (town center, from $80/night, breakfast included); hostels like Pitlochry Backpackers ($50/night dorms).
- Mid-range: The Claymore (cozy inn, $100–130/night, family rooms); Fonab Castle Hotel ($110/night, parking).
- Luxury: Atholl Palace (grand hotel, $150+/night, spa options); Scotland’s Hotel ($140/night, gourmet).
- Festival packages: Bundled stays via VisitPitlochry.com with B&Bs; camping at the recreation ground or nearby Loch Tay ($60/night pitches).
- Booking tips: Book early for June; check perthshire.co.uk for deals including transport.
Reviews
- Highland harmony heaven—The Skids’ anthems soared, Discovery Stage unearthed gems, a festival frenzy of folk and fire.
- Pitlochry’s pitch perfection; Tide Lines tidal wave of tunes, family frolic from first chord to final cheer.
- Heartland hidden treasure—indie ignition and rock revelation, a Scottish symphony that stole our summer soul.
Maps
Contact
Video
FAQ's
What makes the Heartland Music Festival unique compared to larger Scottish events?
As Pitlochry’s post-2024 darling, it’s a compact Highland cracker blending 22 acts on dual stages for under $60, sans sprawl—just three days of folk-to-folk frenzy at the Recreation Ground, spotlighting local lore with charity chug and picnic paradise. Vibe’s a vibrant vortex: indie immersion with folk fire. 2026 upholds the undercurrent: June 26–28, evolving via organizer oomph. It’s intimate immersion; Instagram for indie intel. Pro tip: Riverside ramble for rhythm revelation.
When and where exactly will the 2026 festival take place?
June 26–28, 2026, unfurls over 3 sun-splashed days at Pitlochry Recreation Ground (PH16 5AA), the town’s turf tango ground—ideal for stage-swaying sans squeeze. Gates from noon daily; Heartland Stage headliners, Discovery blending bliss till dusk. Timed for June’s jasmine, it syncs with Perthshire peeks for post-set suppers. Venues hug the river—taxi from station 10 mins. Updates via site; rain? Tented tenacity. Arrive Friday for fellowship frolic.
How much do tickets cost, and how do I buy them?
Weekend passes $38–$95 USD (£30–£75), a steal for Highland harmony—early birds min, Tier 3 max with camping; under-16s often discounted for family fusion. No frills; covers stages, markets, sans surprises. Snag via heartlandfestival.co.uk now—2025 sold 1,500 in 24 hours, first-come frenzy. Groups? Email bundles. E-tickets easy; resale via Tixel. All-ages arms open; your buy boosts bay bands.
Is the festival family-friendly, and what activities suit kids?
Highland haven for hordes—affordable access hooks hordes with picnic paradise and gentle grooves, blending folk frolics with family frenzy. No bedlam; inter-set ice lollies ease ears, stalls spark souvenir sprees. Tots tap to tunes, tweens chase folk; clans croon it’s “our Perthshire pageant.” Quiet corners by the river; pack prams for path prances. Bonds burgeon brighter than basslines.
How do I get to Pitlochry for the festival?
Inverness Airport’s 1.5-hour A9 jaunt south, or Kings Cross trains to Pitlochry (6 hours, $80 return) drop ground-close. A9 whisks cars to recreation (£5/day). Buses loop lanes; bikes suit the flat. Cycles cruise carriageways, walks whisper-wind—10 mins from station. Site’s stroll supreme, ramps reign. Shuttles available; seasonal. Once parked, riverside perfection—compact cadence. Locals lisp: Rail + ramble for rhythmic reveille.
