Knockengorroch World Ceilidh organisers have confirmed the acts in its 14th year will be headed by Jamaican legends The Skatalites. Having worked with greats such as Bob Marley and Lee Scratch Perry the revolutionary group are considered to be the original ska band, laying the foundations for reggae, dub, dancehall and ragga. The band will complement a festival line-up featuring music both ancient and new, originating from around the world and reverberating in a natural amphitheatre in the Galloway uplands.

Further acts on the festival bill include pygmy Celtic crossover outfit Baka Beyond and rising Scottish traditional star Rua Macmillan, melding with genre defying dance tunes of the 90s from Utah Saints, Red Snapper and DJ Hype. The Peatbog Faeries, The Shee, Stanley Odd, The Destroyers and many further acts will join from different genres and countries, incorporating the most contemporary tunes alongside traditional melodies, resulting in a melting pot of sound and song.

Festival director Liz Holmes said, ‘We’re a big festival in a small pot, and the diversity and range in our line-up certainly reflects that. Our line-up includes some of the most established roots acts in the world alongside some of the newest, creating a fresh programme with someone for everyone!’  The World Ceilidh is primarily a music festival but the programme will also include arts, crafts and dance workshops, spoken word, comedy, performance art, installations, walkabout theatre, fire shows and kids activities.

Liz Holmes continued, ‘the festival is open to all ages and persuasions. There is something for everyone!  We’ve got so much going on, including dedicated children’s workshops, early morning yoga sessions, a cinema and sauna, good food, real ales, fire sculptures and even dog Awards!’  As one of the longest running music festivals on the Scottish circuit, Knockengorroch has built up a reputation as one of the friendliest and warmest events. The event takes place in a river valley plain and has been created in appreciation with the history and landscape, with a custom timber built turf roofed main stage and an authentic Celtic Longhouse venue.

The site is far from urban civilisation and organisers believe this adds to the experience for festival goers. Katch Holmes, who grew up at Knockengorroch and now helps programme the festival said, ‘the wildly beautiful location of the festival offers a real feeling of ‘getting away from it all’. Everyone finds it easy to let their hair down and there is a really strong sense of community. I think the fact that in the valley was once a densely populated settlement helps create the atmosphere that always makes Knockengorroch so special.