Inverness Festival FAQ's

Will food and drink be sold at the venue? 

We have a delicious selection of locally sourced food and drink from experienced traders, operating from their own bespoke trucks and trailers. There is vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and halal options available – something for everyone!

There is also a licenced bar offer from Black Isle Brewery. The bar showcases the best of independent Scottish drink.. There is also a range of alcohol-free options to explore.

Will there be toilets available? 

There are toilets located throughout the site, including gender-neutral and accessible toilets. . 

Can I bring my own food and drink?  

We highly encourage you to try out some of the amazing street food available on site!

If you do bring your own snacks, please be mindful not to use single-use plastic and make use of the recycling bins provided.

Do you accept credit/debit cards? Is there a cash machine on-site? 

Cash, card and contactless payments are all available!

Is there a lost property hub?   

There will be a lost property hub on-site. Please ask a member of staff to direct you. You can also send an email with your name, contact details, and description of your lost item to [email protected].

What measures are put in place to reduce waste at the festival?  

All food and drink vendors at the festival are selling in fully compostable packaging, including cutlery. The use of single use plastics is strictly forbidden. Traders are also required to separate back of house waste streams and back of house food waste will be uplifted separately to be processed by anaerobic digestion, reducing landfill.

By using innovative, reusable Stack Cups we are ensuring that no drinks are sold in single use cups in the bar area. They are available for a £1 hire per cup (only charged once, if the used cup is returned).

We ask that all festivalgoers, crew and artists bring reusable water bottles to minimise bottled water. There’s also free drinking water available on site, at the bars, for refillable cups and bottles.

You can read our full sustainability policy HERE.

Are there recycling points on site? 

There are recycling stations positioned across the site, including composting for all food purchased on site. Look out for signage!

Are you accessible for those with mobility restrictions/using wheelchairs/mobility aids?  

There is a viewing platform in the Dandelion Stage area which is accessible and can be pre-booked in advance. Please contact Caroline Thompson at [email protected]

 Is the festival suitable for people with additional sensory needs?  

We want our events to be as inclusive as possible and our events are designed with that in mind. Our festival is suitable for those with additional sensory needs. Please note that music on our stages will be amplified and our stages will be lit, but no flashing or strobe lights will be used.

 Are the performances sign-language interpreted? 

The festival is suitable for those with additional sensory needs.  Music on the Dandelion Stage and Pavilion Stage will be amplified. The stages will be lit but flashing or strobe lighting will not be used.

The Talks programme and announcements from the Dandelion and Pavilion Stage will be BSL interpreted.  There will also be 'roving' BSL interpreters on site to provide additional support to visitors.

 Is the festival suitable for children and young people?  

The activities and performances at our festival are suitable for all ages. There are activities for children ages 0-5 such as a mud kitchen, fairy garden, storytelling, and other kid friendly activities at our Nursery. It is open every day of the festival until 5pm and completely free! There are roving performers on site to entertain adults and children, plus hands-on activities in our Potting Sheds open every day from 11am til 5pm (10am on Friday).

 Can I bring my dog to the festival? 

Dogs are welcome at Northern Meeting Park Festival site! However, please note that dogs must be always kept on a lead. Owners must clean up after their dog immediately – use the bins provided. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed in The Hothouse talks tent outside Eden Court with the exception of service dogs.

 I have further questions regarding accessibility – who do I contact?  

Please contact Caroline Thompson - [email protected].

How will you keep staff and audiences safe? 

We will have stewards on site to look after attendees and staff. All stewards will be wearing hi-vis vests and have been trained to work with children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

Is there a medical tent and first aiders on site? 

There is a welfare cabin with trained first aiders on site. We are not able to hand-out, store or look after medicines. Please approach a steward or a member of the Dandelion team for assistance.

Do you have COVID-19 safety measures in place? 

The event is held in an open and public space. Masks are not required, but if you feel more comfortable wearing one, please do. There will be hand sanitizer available at the potting sheds on site. We ask everyone to please stay at home if showing symptoms.

Is there any parking nearby?  

The best place to park for the weekend would be at the Eden Court Car Park or the car park next to St Andrew's Cathedral. There is a pay and display car park at the back of the Eden Court building and the Cathedral pay and display car park is nearby. They can get fairly busy at times, so make time to park further afield if you think it may be busy.

Eden Court Car Park charges are as follows:

0 - 1 hour - £1

1 - 2 hours - £2

2 - 4 hours - £3

4 - 10 hours - £4

Cashless payments can be made using the RingGo app (www.myringgo.co.uk) and charges apply Monday to Sunday, 24 hours a day.

 How do I get to the site? 

Northern Meeting Park is a 13-minute walk away from the Inverness train station. From the Inverness train station, head towards the Ness Bridge. Cross the bridge, head straight, then take a left at Kenneth Street. You should be able to see Inverness Cathedral and Northern Meeting Park straight ahead. You can also follow walking signs leading to Inverness Cathedral. It is also a 4-minute walk away from the King Street bus stop.

If you are travelling on foot to Dandelion Festival Inverness this weekend, we have been informed that the Infirmary Footbridge will be closed for the entirety of the festival. If you were planning to use this bridge on your journey, we advise you to please take alternative routes to join us at Northern Meeting Park.

 What public transport is available?  

We highly encourage everyone to take public transport where possible when coming to the festival! If you are coming from outside Inverness, there are trains coming from Edinburgh and Glasgow every 1-2 hours. The Inverness station is located in the centre of the city and you can easily find signs leading towards the Ness Bridge and Inverness Cathedral nearby.

From within Inverness, the following bus lines can take you to the King Street bus stop which is a 4-minute walk to Northern Meeting Park: 1, 1A, 2, 9, 17, 28, 119, 917, 919.