Northern Meeting Park in Inverness to re-open temporarily as The Gathering Festival showcasing the best Highland music, culture, food and drink returns to its spiritual home
The Northern Meeting Park in Inverness is set to re-open briefly later this month to host a top Highland festival of music, culture, food and drink.
The Gathering Festival 2025 on May 24 will boast what organisers say is its strongest ever billing of live musical acts.
It will bring a pause to a £5 million redevelopment of the city centre venue to create a new pavilion and refurbish the existing grandstand, funded by the Highland Council and part of the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund.
It will be the first event at the historic venue since the work began in late 2023, with last year’s event switching to Bught Park.. After the festival, the project will resume with completion expected by mid-June this year.
Now firmly established on Scotland’s cultural calendar, the one-day Gathering Festival will bring live sets from artists including multi-award winning Celtic band Skipinnish, the renowned Red Hot Chilli Pipers, folk rock band Torridon, award-winning all female ensemble Kinnaris Quintet and MG Alba Scots Trad Music winner Calum MacPhail.
There will also be two former BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year award winners Claire Hastings and Ruairidh Gray, among many more across the festival’s two stages.
While music fills the air, the festival’s craft food and drink offering is expected to be a “feast for the senses”, drawing on the finest produce from across the Highlands and Islands.
On offer will be artisanal spirits and organic craft beer from Black Isle Brewery, Scottish cider from Thistly Cross, alongside gourmet Highland fare from local street food traders.
For families and children there will also be craft stalls, come-try traditional music sessions, mini-Highland games and other attractions in “a fun, safe, and welcoming atmosphere”.
The festival’s Claire Clark said: “Each year, we try to raise the bar and 2025 is shaping up to be our biggest and best Gathering yet.
“From legendary names to new rising stars, and the unbeatable quality of our local food and drink partners, we’re proud to put the Highlands on the festival map.
“We are also delighted to be back at our home at The Northern Meeting Park in the centre of Inverness as the first event following their extensive renovations."
Rebecca Edser, head of EventScotland, said: “We are proud to support The Gathering Festival as part of EventScotland’s national events funding programme.
“It’s a vibrant festival where community and celebration come together and connect through Scottish music and Highland culture.
“It’s great to see so many award-winning acts and well-known bands form the line up for this year’s festival. Local and further afield music fans will be in for a real treat.”
Whether you're a local, a returning fan, or a visitor looking to experience a taste of the Tickets for The Gathering 2025 are available now at www.thegatheringscotland.com
