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​Scotland’s first socially distanced festival hailed a ‘success’

Capers In Cannich was attended by 250 festivalgoers

Just a stone’s throw away from Inverness, Scotland, a 250 person festival named ‘Capers In Cannich’ was held over the Bank Holiday weekend as the country’s first socially distanced festival.

The intimate event went ahead across a nine-acre field in the Highlands with a range of live bands and artists, while attendees glamped amongst the scenic green - two metres apart.

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Festivalgoers basked in the sun as they sat on socially distanced hay bales to watch the music, and enjoyed luxury tents each with a private garden.

Karl Falconer, director of Capers In Cannich, said: “We’re over the moon that the opening weekend was such a roaring success. It was an incredible feeling to be able to bring live entertainment back to Scotland in a safe environment – it was a moment to remember.”

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Organisers were able to ensure safety measures for the event with a limited capacity of 250 and socially distanced staff, attendees and musicians.

The festival came just a month after the news that nightclubs in Scotland launched legal action against the government over COVID restrictions deemed “no longer justifiable”. Higher grants are now being given to clubs as a result.

Amongst the artists playing over the weekend, one band member, David Blair, told The Scotsman: “It was such a joyous feeling playing for real-life people again in such a stunning location. It was magic getting that live reaction and experiencing the irreplaceable feeling of human connection through playing live music.”

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Capers In Cannich will run as a series of events throughout the summer, with the next festival going ahead on June 11 - 14.

[Via: The Scotsman]

Gemma Ross is Mixmag’s Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter