Knockengorroch Festival

Scotland’s longest-running greenfield festival celebrates its 26th year with an international line-up ranging from homegrown favourites Peatbog Faeries, sound system maestros Mungo’s Hi Fi and acid house legend Egebamyasi to Guinea master musician N’famady Kouyaté, Sami singer Kajsa Balto and Roma band ZOR, with 808 State and Banco de Gaia on hand to keep the beats flowing. Plus there’s a sauna!

Knockengorroch Festival, Kirkcudbright, Thursday 23–Sunday 26 May.

The Reeling 

The inaugural Reeling was one of the success stories of a tricky 2023 festival season and builds on its debut with a who’s who of Scottish folk stars, including singers Kathleen McInnes, Rosie M Sullivan, Hannah Rarity and Julie Fowlis plus proven festival hands Kinnaris Quintet and Fara. And that’s just (some of) the women in a line-up which succeeds in producing a credible gender balance.

The Reeling, Rouken Glen Park, Glasgow, Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 June.

Arran Folk Festival

The 28th Arran Folk Festival is a bijou affair which punches above its weight in securing former Young Traditional Musician Of The Year (and List Hot 100 entrant) Amy Laurenson and 2021 Gaelic Singer Of The Year Kim Carnie as headliners, with support from singer-songwriters Amy Papiransky and Iona Lane, plus open mics, late night sessions and waulking song workshops.

Arran Folk Festival, Various venues, Arran, Friday 7–Sunday 9 June; main picture: Krzysztof Globisz.