Back Doune The Rabbit Hole introducing a new folk stage for 2026
The Stirlingshire music festival aims to expand its traditional programme of events
Back Doune The Rabbit Hole has unveiled a new addition to its 2026 programme, with a dedicated folk and traditional music stage set to debut at this summer’s festival.
Taking place from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 July at Cardross Estate, Stirlingshire, the festival will introduce The Looking Glass, a space designed to spotlight grassroots talent from across Scotland. Reflecting the festival’s longstanding DIY ethos, the stage has been shaped by artists and community organisers, with a focus on nurturing home-grown voices. The new stage has been curated by Scots folk artist Lee McGilvray, who performs as Flew The Arrow and founded Gathering South Sessions alongside Glasgow-based musician Louis Page of Ragged School Union. The pair bring both performance and programming experience to a line-up that aims to celebrate the breadth of Scotland’s contemporary folk scene.
Among the first wave of acts announced are Adam Beattie & Fiona Bevan, Alasdair Roberts and The Greasy Whiskers, Robyn Smith, Heather Cartwright and Pippa Blundell, with further acts to be revealed. McGilvray said: ‘Operating as an independent festival means making thoughtful choices, especially in the current climate. The Looking Glass came out of a desire to support Scottish folk and traditional artists and to give that part of the scene a dedicated place at Back Doune.’
Back Doune The Rabbit Hole launched last year following the controversial cancellation of its predecessor, Doune The Rabbit Hole, which ran from 2010 to 2023. The full line-up for The Looking Glass is available on the Back Doune The Rabbit Hole website, with weekend and day tickets on sale now.
Back Doune The Rabbit Hole, Cardross Estate, Stirlingshire, Friday 17 - Sunday 19 July.