North festival venues top Scottish awards

FESTIVAL venues large and small near Inverness have triumphed in the Scottish Event Awards.

RockNess, which takes place in the village of Dores each June, scooped two major accolades by winning both the Best Large Festival and overall winners Event Management Grand Prix.

Bogbain Farm, the 19th century farm building two miles south of Inverness on the A9, was also a winner, collecting the title for Best Unusual Venue, being off competition which included another Inverness area nominee, Achnagairn House near Kirkhill, as well as Glasgow’s House for an Art Lover and Tall Ship, Edinburgh’s Royal College of Surgeons and the Ghillie Dhu pub.

Hosted by comedian Des Clarke, the awards ceremony took place at Glasgow’s Radisson Blu Hotel and was held in association with Event Scotland.

RockNess, Scotland’s second largest music festival after T in the Park, was nominated in the Best Large Festival category alongside heavyweight international events including Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, Glasgow Film Festival and The Tall Ships Races.

The festival was announce as Event Management Grand Prix winner as the grand finale to the ceremony. The judges gave RockNess the award in recognition of the festival’s vision and creativity, pace of growth, and impact in promoting Scotland internationally.

"What a great night for the festival," RockNess festival director Jim King said.

"Thanks to EventScotland and Creative Scotland for their support, and to all our staff for their hard work on the show. Special thanks goes to our loyal customers for coming and sharing their good times with us every June."

Bogbain Farm is home to The Inverness Whisky Festival, Brew at the Bog (sponsored by Fraserburgh-based brewer BrewDog) and the Northern Roots Music Festival, was described by the judges as being in a unique location and hosting innovative events.

Run by Northern Roots Events, a company managed by BBC Radio Scotland presenter and Blazin’ Fiddles star, Bruce MacGregor, alongside Young Highland Ambassador 2011, Yvonne Murray, Bogbain is now home to a recording studio and is about to host its first wedding.

"To win an award like this is absolutely fantastic — we are ‘over the moon’ that our hard work over the last year or so is paying off," Lewis-born Ms Murray commented.

"It’s very clear that the direction of our new company is much better suited to the buildings than what went before, and I’m delighted to be leading the charge with Bruce in creating a very special venue for Scotland.

"It’s a great feeling to be recognised by these prestigious awards — and we’ve only just begun."

Previously a children’s activity centre, in addition to its festivals, Bogbain also hosts private hire functions and concerts with Welsh singing star Charlotte Church set to appear on the Barn stage on Saturday 20th October.