Information

Location

The Festival takes place on Am Meall (known locally as The Lump) in Portree, Isle of Skye.

Am Meall is a unique peninsula overlooking Portree Harbour and has been the home of Skye Highland Games since 1877.

With stunning views of the incredible Cuillin Ridge on one side and The Old Man of Storr on the other, it stakes a claim for being one of the most beautiful festival sites in the World.

The entrance to the festival site is situated on Bank Street. The festival is outdoors, with the Main Stage under a Big Top tent.

Please note this is an all-standing event, with limited seating within the arena.

 

Festival Campsite

We operate a small pop-up campsite in Portree during the event. The campsite is a 15-20 minute walk from the festival site, and tickets for the campsite are per person and bought separately to your festival ticket. Campsite tickets are only valid with an accompanying festival ticket.

We are not able to offer vehicular camping on the campsite, it is for tents only.

The campsite has toilet facilities and fresh water available, there are no showers on site. You may bring your own food and drink into the campsite but please do not bring glass bottles. There is no power available at the campsite.

Access to the campsite is beside Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh (Portree Gaelic Primary School) on Struan Road in Portree. We operate a drop-off point by the school, a few minutes walk to the campsite but please note - there is strictly no vehicle access to access the campsite itself, and no parking near the campsite. Public parking is available in Portree, see below for details. Any vehicles parked by the school or the adjacent Shinty Club will be moved on.

Getting Here

Citylink run a regular service from Glasgow / Edinburgh direct to Portree.

If you are driving, we would advise travelling over the Skye bridge, please note journeys via Mallaig may be liable to disruption with the Ferry.

Please note road closures in Broadford the week of the festival.

Highland Council will be lifting maximum stay restrictions at Portree - Bayfield West Car Park (RingGo Location Code: 23490) and vehicles will be permitted to park continuously for multiple days there between Wed 8th and Mon 13th of May 2024.

You will be able to buy an £11 monthly ticket via RingGO (this website only, the app won't work for a monthly ticket). It is advised to do this in advance of your visit to avoid any connectivity issues.

Details of the ticketing and purchasing are on Highland Council’s website here. Please note caravans and trailers are not permitted within Bayfield Car Park.

There is a variety of public parking within Portree, which is very walkable. For anyone using the campsite there will be a drop off point for campsite gear a short walk from the campsite.

There is no vehicle access to the festival campsite and there is STRICTLY NO PARKING at or near the campsite, DO NOT park at Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh (Gaelic Primary School), the Shinty Club (Skye Camanachd), or any of the spaces in front of these areas.

These will be in normal operation throughout the festival weekend so you will get a parking ticket and your car will be removed if you park there.

FAQs

  • Thursday 9th May: Gates open 6.30pm

    Friday 10th May: Gates open 4pm

    Saturday 11th May: Gates open 2pm

    Last entry to the festival site is 8pm.

    Stage times will be announced ahead the week before the festival.

    Campsite opens at 1pm on Thursday and closes at Midday on Sunday.

  • Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 21 or over (maximum of two under 18s per adult 21+).

    Guardianship forms will be required.

  • We do not run any transport services to the festival or during the festival.

    We advise staying in Portree, which is very walkable, or utilising local taxi services for stays out with Portree.

    Citylink run a regular service from Glasgow / Edinburgh direct to Portree.

  • Highland Council will be lifting maximum stay restrictions at Portree - Bayfield West Car Park (RingGo Location Code: 23490) and vehicles will be permitted to park continuously for multiple days there between Wed 8th and Mon 13th of May 2024.

    You will be able to buy an £11 monthly ticket via RingGO (this website only, the app won't work for a monthly ticket). It is advised to do this in advance of your visit to avoid any connectivity issues.

    Details of the ticketing and purchasing are on Highland Council’s website here. Please note caravans and trailers are not permitted within Bayfield Car Park.

    There is a variety of public parking within Portree, which is very walkable. For anyone using the campsite there will be a drop off point for campsite gear a short walk from the campsite.

    There is no vehicle access to the festival campsite and there is STRICTLY NO PARKING at or near the campsite, DO NOT park at Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh (Gaelic Primary School), the Shinty Club (Skye Camanachd), or any of the spaces in front of these areas.

    These will be in normal operation throughout the festival weekend so you will get a parking ticket and your car will be removed if you park there.

  • Portree Campsite accommodates motorhomes & camper vans and is taking bookings via their website now: portreecampsite.co.uk

    There are also a very limited number of camping vehicle bays in Bayfield Car Park in Portree.

    Other camping vehicle sites are available around the Island, the next closest is Sligachan Campsite.

    We are unable to accommodate any camping vehicles on our Festival Campsite, this is for tent camping only.

  • Due to the unique nature of our festival site, access can be challenging. The main entrance road to the site is a long steep uphill gradient, followed by another steep gradient down into the main stage arena. The entrance roads are tarmac, and the main arena is predominantly matted.

    We operate a small platform for attendees with accessibility needs, however space is limited and this is only available on a first come first served basis and access will be prioritised for those in wheelchairs. Accessible toilets are available.

    Please note this is an all-standing event with limited seating available on the festival site and none within view of the stages. Due to space limitations and safety requirements, we are unable to allow camp seating into the site.

    We recognise that in order for some of our customers to be able to fully access our event, they may require support from a companion or personal assistant. In such cases we offer one companion ticket to provide the support you need and additional assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation. Companion tickets are provided on the expectation that they are willing and able to assist you throughout your visit and in the event of an evacuation they are your main point of assistance.

    Should you require a companion ticket, you must first purchase a ticket for yourself and then get in touch within one week of your purchase via the contact form.

    We require at least one of the following pieces of evidence for a companion ticket

    - Front page of ADP / DLA / PIP
    - Front page of Attendance Allowance letter
    - Evidence that registered severely sight impaired (blind)
    - Recognised Assistance Dog ID card
    - CredAbility's Access Card

    Applications are assessed on a case by case basis, and subject to the terms above - companion tickets are based on available capacity.

  • The Challenge 25 policy will be in operation across all bars on the festival site and will be rigorously enforced.

    The following type of ID will be accepted:

    • Current UK or Overseas Driving License/ Provisional License Photocard

    • Current UK or Overseas Current Passport

    • Overseas Only Valid National ID card

    • UK only 18 + PASS scheme card

    • Young Scot Cards

    • Ireland Age Card

    • Forces I.D Card

    Photocopies / Pictures are not accepted, please bring original document.

  • Sorry, we don’t allow dogs on the festival site or campsite.

  • You cannot bring food or drink onto the festival site. There will be a wide variety of food and drink available to purchase, catering to all requirements.

    You are permitted to bring your own food or drink onto the festival campsite. Glass bottles are no permitted within the campsite

    • Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

    • In the event of a COVID-19 enforced delay to the event, tickets will be valid for rescheduled dated or a refund available within 14 days of the reschedule dates being announced.

    • Last entry is 8pm on both days of the Festival.

    • Under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult over 21.

    • Maximum number of two under 18s per adult over 21.

    • A challenge 25 policy will be in operation at the gates ensuring guardians are 21 and over. Proof of age may be requested. Please bring acceptable photographic ID.

    • A challenge 25 policy will be in operation at the bars ensuring access is restricted to persons 18 and over. Proof of age may be required. Please bring acceptable photographic ID.

    • ID may be requested to verify age for ticket types.

    • Management reserves the right to refuse entry.

    • Tickets are sold subject to the Promoter’s and the Management’s right to alter or vary the advertised Event where reasonably necessary. Artists and billed attractions are subject to change

    • No food or drink can be brought onto the Festival Site, anyone found with alcohol that has been brought onto the site will been in contravention of license conditions and as such will be removed from site with further access refused.

    • Subject to licence approval.

  • Our lineup is full for 2024.

    You can fill out an artist submission at the following link to be considered for future events: https://bit.ly/skyeliveartists

  • As per terms & conditions, tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

    Our official resale service is Tixel. Tickets can be safely and securely transferred and resold here.

  • If you can’t find an appropriate answer on this page, you can contact us.