Knockengorroch Festival

Knockengorroch Festival takes place Thursday 22nd - Monday 26th May 2025

Knockengorroch Festival is located in Galloway in south west Scotland. The address and postcode is:

Carsphairn, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, DG7 3TJ

Alll ages are welcome at Knockengorroch Festival, however all under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Our buoyant bar and stage opens at lunchtime, giving plenty of time to park, position your camper, pitch your tent and greet old friends. You’ll also have time to browse our global shopping and food stalls, even go for a walk in our stunning upland glen – the views are fantastic from just a little way up Dodd Hill! Our iconic longhouse venue is also open for some brilliant acoustic music late into the night.

Workshops begin at 9am each morning and continue throughout the day. The music stages begin from 12 noon and the dance venues continue until 5am.

There are options to camp further away from the dance tents if you are concerned about noise. Just make sure you turn up early and ask the stewards about the best place.

Please contact us at https://www.knockengorroch.org.uk/contact/ or call the fest office on 01644 460662

By Car - A ride share link has been set up at goCarShare

By Bus - For a hassle free way to travel direct from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Carlisle or Dumfries straight to the site see the Knock Bus page.

The Knock Bus travels from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dumfries and Carlisle to the festival site on Thursday and Friday, returning on Monday.

Further info on the Knock Bus page at https://www.knockengorroch.org.uk/information/knock-bus/

PLEASE NOTE – Knockbus E-tickets will be emailed to you. Your name will also be on the passenger list with the number of seats you’ve booked when you board.

Knockengorroch is a unique site. The last leg of your journey will take you off the A road and 4 miles along private roads. In order to use these roads for festival access we are subject to certain restrictions. We must keep a very close eye on number and type of vehicles coming in. If you are bringing a vehicle on to the site you must purchase a vehicle pass at the appropriate rate. Our vehicle passes reflect the fact that we are not on a public road. Please try and car share wherever possible and save costs.

Vehicle passes for over 3 tonnes will only be available to purchase in advance and vehicles must have a vehicle pass to enter.

If in doubt email info@knockengorroch.org.uk

Please note there is no access for vehicles over 7 ½ tonnes or vehicles or caravans wider than 7 feet.

We highly recommend you buy a vehicle pass in advance. Vehicle passes are in high demand on Friday and we are highly likely to sell out again this year. Buying your vehicle pass in advance will guarantee you get it on site.

Vehicle passes will be available to purchase on the gate subject to availability only.

This year we again have provisions for off site parking. Off site parking is NOT on the festival site it is in Carsphairn village. Passes are at a much reduced price. A shuttle bus will bring you onto the site. One and two day off site parking passes will be available to purchase online on Saturday subject to availability.

Also this year we will again be running larger Knock buses to allow more people to go car free.

TAKE THE KNOCK BUS:

Knock Bus TBC for 202.

Public Transport Information

From outside Dumfries and Galloway or Scotland the best route is to get to Glasgow, from Glasgow to Ayr by bus or train, then bus to Dalmellington where local taxi firm (Town & Country Taxis 01292 551 661) will be providing shuttle service from Dalmellington/Festival.

Alternatively you can also get to New Cumnock by train and then a bus to Dalmellington. Cross road after leaving New Cumnock station and turn RIGHT, 3 minute walk from station to nearest bus stop. Bus no 356 Mon to Sat NB NO SUNDAY SERVICE Cheap train return tickets can be obtained to New Cumnock, Glasgow Central or Ayr (via Glasgow Central) from London or anywhere en route if you book early enough.

National rail enquiries can provide info on ALL train journeys: 08457 48 49 50, as can Trainline. Air Travel Glasgow Prestwick airport is the closest airport-approx 35 miles from Knockengorroch. Tel 0871 223 0700.

Air Travel

Glasgow Prestwick airport is the closest airport-approx 35 miles from Knockengorroch. Tel 0871 223 0700. Car hire is available at the airport – book in advance.

The travel info desk at the airport can advise on public transport to Ayr from the airport, from Ayr proceed as above.

From within the region

Knockengorroch festival site is around 55 miles from Dumfries.

If you want to reach Knockengorroch from Dumfries, you need to get a bus to Castle Douglas, and from Castle Douglas a bus to Dalmellington (bus no 520) which runs twice daily from Castle Douglas (no service on Sunday). Ask to be let off at Meadowhead or Lamford, and you are then at the ‘road end’ and 4 miles by road from the festival, the closest you can reach Knockengorroch using public transport.

520 bus from Castle Douglas to Dalmellington runs Mon to Sat. Castle Douglas to Dalmellington/Ayr: leaves Castle Douglas at 8.50am and 12.50pm, arriving Dalmellington 10.07am and 2.07pm. Meadowhead and Lamford are approx 10 min before bus reaches Dalmellington.

Ask to be let off at Meadowhead or Lamford and you are then at the ‘road end’ and 4 miles by road from the festival.

Dalmellington to Castle Douglas: leaves Dalmellington 10.20AM AND 2.20PM, arriving Castle Douglas 11.33 AM AND 3.33 PM. You need to be at road end by 10.20 OR 2.20 to be sure of catching the bus which needs flagging down.

NO SUNDAY SERVICE either way.

Large vehicle access:

- You MUST BUY A VEHICLE PASS IN ADVANCE for vehicles over 3 tonnes - they cannot be purchased at the gate, with no access permitted. 

- No access for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes. Restricted access for vehicles or caravans wider than 7 feet. Please email info@knockengorroch.org.uk with your vehicle width.

For terms and conditions please see http://www.knockengorroch.org.uk/tickets/terms-conditions/ or email info@knockengorroch.org.uk

DEAF AND DISABLED GUESTS 

We aim to be accessible to all. Full-time carers and support workers accompanying disabled ticket buyers will be admitted free of charge.  Accessible camping, parking and toilets are also available on request if booked in advance. 

Please email Fiona at admin@knockengorroch.org.uk if this applies to you. Please note you will be required to provide evidence.

Please head to the tickets section above for the latest prices.

There are no Payment Plan tickets available for this event at present.

Unfortunately we can’t issue you with a refund if you can’t make the event due to work commitments or your mates have dropped out. In these circumstances, we advise passing on your tickets privately to avoid losing out on the money spent.

Refunds can only be offered if the event is cancelled or postponed, as agreed upon purchase.

Tickets will be available to purchase on the gate subject to availability. Check online the morning you plan to arrive and please purchase before leaving if you can so that we know you are coming.

One and two day tickets are NOT available to buy on Friday.

You can buy either a one or two day ticket on Saturday subject to availability.

A limited number of advance one day Sunday tickets are now available to buy. You may also be able to buy on the gate subject to availability.

People with advance 3 day Friday entry tickets can pay an extra £20 to be admitted Thursday on the gate, subject to availability.

Yes it does! You can buy camping or campervan tickets in the tickets section.

There is the option of hiring a yurt and staying in that if tents aren’t your thing or you fancy something special. The yurts are handcrafted by Red Kite Yurts. There are a range of sizes available and prices start at around £200. They always sell out so get in there early!

Contact Paul Millard. Tel 01877 330943, email paul@redkiteyurts.com

More info: www.redkiteyurts.com