Belladrum Festival 2018 Thursday review

Image: Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival

Day one of Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival saw music fans in their masses streaming into the vast grounds of the Belladrum Estate, with festival goers this year welcomed with beaming sunshine and heat that contradicts Scotland's meteorological reputation.

Early highlights saw The 101 and Brass Gumbo take to the main stage for early afternoon sets that did nothing but encourage attendees to enter into the party spirit at the start of what is set to be a brilliant weekend of music.

Later on, big name acts such as country duo Ward Thomas and Scooby Snack loving outfit Fun Lovin' Criminals, fronted by the brilliant Huey Morgan, take to the festival's biggest arena for rapturous sets that showcased a multitude of genres in remarkable fashion.

It wasn't just the music that caught people's attention, and as a festival that prides itself on its family friendly values, there was plenty of other attractions - such as stilt walkers, fairground rides and expansive play areas, for kids to keep themselves entertained. 

For the parents, aside from the musical entertainment, the Tomatin Whiskey bar proved a popular area of the Bella site, while the disused aeroplane rave area kept all ages in between dancing long until the night.

The night's headliner, Bishopbriggs' very own singer songwriter Amy MacDonald brought the house down on the opening night with a career spanning set that saw her deliver greatest hits such as 'This Is The Life' and 'Mr Rock and Roll' plus a heap of fan favourites, continuing Belladrum's tried and tested tradition of giving huge headline slots to Scottish acts with serious aplomb.

Huge crowd for @Amy__Macdonald as she headlines the opening night at @BelladrumFest 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 pic.twitter.com/4zREciaoRj

— Skiddle (@skiddle) August 2, 2018