Our round up of must see festivals and music events in Scotland this summer
Many flock to Scotland’s capital for the world-famous comedy and theatre festival in August, however the country also boasts a handful of excellent outdoor music festivals! Check out our round-up of the summer’s festivals in Glasgow, Edinburgh and beyond for a chance to catch some of the UK’s biggest chart-topping bands and musicians.
TRNSMT
10 - 12 July 2020
Glasgow Green, Greendyke Street, Glasgow, G1 5DB
Arguably Scotland’s biggest and most exciting musical festival, TRNSMT offers three-days of chart-topping sounds in the city centre. Located on Glasgow Green, you’ll find this festival a mere 25-minute walk from Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street. This weekend event is a non-camping festival, so you can enjoy the luxury of a hotel bed and hot shower before each day’s events. From Friday to Sunday, Glasgow Green will boast three stages filled with chart topping acts. Find the Main Stage well-endowed with Brit Award winners and more independent acts on the King Tut’s and River stages. So far, the major headliners include Courteeners on Friday, Liam Gallagher on Saturday and ‘Scotland’s Beyoncé’ Lewis Capaldi on the Sunday. You can also catch Sam Fender, Aitch, Snow Patrol, Loyle Carner and so many more across three unforgettable days.
Edinburgh Summer Sessions
8 - 20 August 2020
Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, EH2 2HG
With the unbeatable landscape of Edinburgh Castle in the background, the Summer Sessions concerts offer an array of unforgettable outdoor gigs slap bang in the city centre. Enjoy iconic acts, musical legends and current chart toppers throughout August, hopefully making the most of Scotland’s sunniest month! Lionel Richie and Tom Jones are the big-ticket items on the Summer Sessions line-up, both offering outdoor concerts filled with hits from their years’ in the music industry. Younger fans will adore catching The 1975 on their 12 August show, whilst those hoping for a touch of nostalgia should check out McFly on 13 August! Michael Kiwanuka, Simple Minds and Travis complete the bill, all-in-all offering a fun-filled month of Edinburgh attractions. Find plenty of street food trucks and bars on-site for each date, enjoying a music festival afternoon without the fuss of camping!
Party at the Palace
8 - 9 August 2020
Linlithgow Loch, Linlithgow, West Lothian
For a family weekend away, head to Linlithgow Palace’s two-day music festival! A handy half-an-hour from both Glasgow and Edinburgh, this rural festival overlooks the vast loch and pretty palace in peaceful Linlithgow. Here you’ll find a variety of old acts and new, DJs, cover bands and local musicians, along with fairground rides and children’s activities aplenty. This years’ festival will be headlined by legendary 80’s band Manic Street Preachers and the electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, with kid’s shows, a silent disco and plenty of bars and street food markets keeping you entertained, fed and watered over the weekend. This is another non-camping festival, but regular shuttle buses and trains from Linlithgow station ensure this family event is easily accessible both Saturday and Sunday.