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PICTURES: Festival fans give positive feedback after ‘intimate and friendly’ Tunes By the Dunes





Blazin’ Fiddles in full flow at Tunes By the Dunes at the weekend. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Blazin’ Fiddles in full flow at Tunes By the Dunes at the weekend. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio

Tunes By the Dunes enhanced its reputation as one of the friendliest festivals as fans gathered for two days of live music on the sunny north coast of Caithness.

And plans are already under way for the next year’s event after organisers reported “lots and lots of positive feedback” from the sell-out audience at the weekend.

The UK’s most northerly mainland music festival is run by North Coast Entertainments in a 1200-capacity marquee at the Dunnet football ground and again it coincided with a glorious spell of weather.

Headline act Callum Beattie brought the festival to a close on Saturday night after packed programme that also featured Whisky, Torridon, Tide Lines, the Tumbling Souls, Mikie Henderson, Cammy Barnes, Calum MacPhail, Blazin’ Fiddles and Beat the Drum – The Runrig Experience.

Callum Beattie brought the festival to a close Saturday night. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Callum Beattie brought the festival to a close Saturday night. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio

Event coordinator Iain Mackay said: “We had a tremendous weekend and we’ve had lots and lots of positive feedback on social media.

“Lots of people have been asking if we have dates for next year and the answer to that is yes, we do. It’s September 5 and 6 next year. We’re starting preparations already, speaking to bands – it’s just ongoing.

“All in all this year’s event was hugely successful. We do seem to have been lucky over the years with the weather. Last year and this year it has been exceptional and it showcases Caithness, and the Dunnet area in particular, at its very best.”

A large number of festival-goers came from outwith Caithness and from beyond the Highlands.

“I noticed one person on social media saying it was well worth the 500-mile round trip,” Mr Mackay said.

Beat the Drum interacting with delighted festival-goers. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Beat the Drum interacting with delighted festival-goers. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio

“Callum Beattie was the headliner for this year. However, Tide Lines put on a tremendous closing show on Friday night.

“Every band went down really, really well and there was absolutely no trouble whatsoever. People comment the whole time on what a lovely friendly festival it is, and a great atmosphere.

“In the big picture of festivals we’re a small festival, and people comment on that. They feel that some festivals are too big. This is more intimate and friendly and relaxed, and they’re really close to the acts.

“Another comment was that they don’t have to shift about so they’re not missing anything. All the acts are in the one place.

“Every single band that we’ve taken up here, not just this year, they’ve all commented on how they really enjoyed playing to the audience and how they interact with the bands on stage. We’ve never had anything other than praise for our audiences.”

Festival-goers taking to the dance floor at Tunes By the Dunes 2024. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Festival-goers taking to the dance floor at Tunes By the Dunes 2024. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio

Mr Mackay highlighted the voluntary efforts that make the festival possible.

“It’s a huge team effort,” he said. “This event could not go ahead without the work put in by all the committee in the lead-up to it and then the dismantling of it.

“Also we are hugely indebted to all the volunteers from outwith the committee that give up their time to help us, whether that’s helping at the bar or managing the traffic or just general stewarding duties.

“Without them there would be no Tunes By the Dunes – and they give up their time year in, year out.

“Everybody is a volunteer and we take a pride in being able to put this event on and showcase Caithness. Although we’re considered to be remote, we can still attract people here and also the top bands.”

Torridon on stage in the Dunnet marquee. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Torridon on stage in the Dunnet marquee. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Calum MacPhail was making his first appearance at Tunes By the Dunes. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Calum MacPhail was making his first appearance at Tunes By the Dunes. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Music fans enjoying the friendly festival vibe at Dunnet. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Music fans enjoying the friendly festival vibe at Dunnet. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Mikie Henderson on stage in the Tunes By the Dunes marquee. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Mikie Henderson on stage in the Tunes By the Dunes marquee. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Cammy Barnes keeping the crowd well and truly entertained. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Cammy Barnes keeping the crowd well and truly entertained. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Tide Lines were the closing act on Friday night. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Tide Lines were the closing act on Friday night. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Torridon taking the acclaim of the capacity crowd. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Torridon taking the acclaim of the capacity crowd. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Beat the Drum – The Runrig Experience went down well with the crowd. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Beat the Drum – The Runrig Experience went down well with the crowd. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Whisky fans face the camera, with the band on stage behind. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Whisky fans face the camera, with the band on stage behind. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
The Tumbling Souls performing at Tunes By the Dunes. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
The Tumbling Souls performing at Tunes By the Dunes. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Time for a dance at Tunes By the Dunes 2024. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio
Time for a dance at Tunes By the Dunes 2024. Picture: John Wright Studio @johnwrightstudio

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