101 places to go – The Wickerman Festival
There are different levels of appreciation when it comes to cult classic film The Wicker Man. Some enjoy tapping their feet and singing along to its memorable folk soundtrack. Others watch from behind the nearest cushion whilst vowing never again to take a holiday in remote Scotland. And others still rightly recognise it as one of the greatest British films ever made, before deciding to organise an outdoor festival in its honour.
Regardless of how people have reacted to it over the years, the long-lasting legacy of Robin Hardy’s folk horror film is beyond reproach – whether you’re a sing-along fan or still haunted by its iconic ending. So it’s perhaps unsurprising to find that the annual Wickerman Festival in Scotland continues to go from strength to strength.
We’re fairly sure the festival’s unique alternative line-up plays a larger part in its continued success than the climactic burning of a giant wicker man. Since 2012’s event offers headline performances from The Scissor Sisters, Texas, The View, Mike Skinner and Newton Faulkner, alongside an eclectic mix of alternative acts, it’s safe to say that the Wickerman is as strong as it’s ever been.
You can find more info on the event website. In the meantime here are a few facts about The Wickerman Festival…
• The festival wicker man stands approximately 30 feet tall, and its climactic burning makes for an incredible spectacle. Thankfully, we are told this is where the similarities with the film end!
• The festival’s motto is ‘Better than it needs to be’, which is either a tribute to the film’s enduring popularity or a testament to the festival’s plucky underdog spirit. Either way, it’s not very scary.
• Despite climaxing with a burning wicker man, the main ties with the film come from the fact it’s set in the same Dumfries and Galloway countryside. We’re sure that this comes as no small relief to attendees!
• If you do fancy travelling to Scotland to scour the countryside for clues you might be interested to hear that organisers have hidden a number of geocaches around the country. Each box contains a number of limited edition items linked to the festival. Happy hunting!
Find holiday cottages in Dumfries and Galloway.
