Here’s what the organisers had to say about the recent Eden Festival:

Despite heavy rains and gusting winds, the fourth Eden festival has been deemed a success by revellers and organisers alike.

Almost 60mm of rain fell in a 24 hour period across the festival site at Raehills Meadows near Dumfries.

According to weather experts the amount was close to the average monthly rainfall for the month of June.

Eden press officer Sid Ambrose commented “The heavy rain seemed to bring out a Dunkirk spirit amongst the audience, you could see people helping each other out and defiant grins were commonplace around the site.”

Meredith Langley Vine who was responsible for the organisation of the event said “The topography of the site almost soaks up bad weather Eden is nestled in a natural valley which is peppered with mature oak trees, most of the gusting winds were carried overhead whilst the oaks provided shelter for tents and people alike. She added if the festival had been held on open hilltop ground like many other summer events then the weather may well have been a problematic, as it was waterproofs and wellies carried the day.”

An eclectic mix of local and international acts entertained the audience over the 3 day event. 80’s exercise legend Mr Motivator energised the Saturday afternoon revellers with his unique brand of movement and humour. A multi-coloured mob of spandex clad enthusiasts lifted the mood of the festival site and provided a colourful spectacle for the more refrained festival attendees.

Kirkcudbright based act Scruffy Buzzards played a more low key set in an ex-army marquee which had supposedly seen action in D day and had been used on the Normandy beaches. Housed within the tent was the cab of a vintage coal lorry which served as a rather unique mixing desk for the acts.

The unusual, the bizarre, bespoke and bohemian seemed to set the tone for the weekend, stunning artistic structures all hand crafted by local artists and volunteers sat alongside surreal features such as a speedboat  crowded with children parked up near the main stage.

Sally Campbell who heads up the Eden organisation said “Our organisation and festival crew is almost entirely sourced locally, we see little need to bring in outside contractors who have no connection with Dumfries and Galloway, our organisation is heavily slanted towards artistic and enthusiastic volunteers, we feel that this home grown investment in people has helped develop Eden as Scotland’s premier boutique festival. It is all too easy to put on a “rent a festival” with lookalike stages marquees and attractions, we feel that Galloway does not lend itself to this and our more organic approach is the right way for the region.”

A sunny Sunday ensured that the final day of the 2012 Eden Festival was a day to remember, a steady trickle of local families arrived to swell the audience to its 3000 target number. Throngs of festival goers enjoyed ale and falafels in the open air whilst being entertained by the likes of the Cuban Brothers.

Edinburgh based festival goer Robert Cameron Hogg summed up the weekend by commenting “I attend lots of festivals and can honestly say this one is unique, Scotland has nothing else like it and l hope it is here to stay.”