Giving Scottish talent a stage at Upside Doon

To show the scale of the work we’re doing, we’ve identified 100 Ways we’re protecting Scotland’s heritage – including showcasing Scottish musical talent at our annual Upside Doon festival in Alloway.

This year’s festival takes place on Saturday 23 June and tickets are selling fast.

Headlined by Idlewild’s Roddy Woomble playing a solo set, the bill is filled with the best from the Scottish music scene, highlighting Scotland’s rich contemporary culture as well as exploring the links with the literary heritage of Alloway and the legacy of Burns, who continues to inspire. 

Roddy said: ‘I’m a huge Burns fan as he’s an emblem of what’s good about Scotland. He’s a master of language and I’m a romantic like he was.’

Joining Roddy on the bill is Glasgow’s Mercury-nominated C Duncan. The musician, multi-instrumentalist and graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland released his album Midnight Sun in 2016 and has spent the last year touring with Elbow.

C Duncan finds it hard not to be influenced by the romance in Burns’s music and said: ‘Burns’ songs are what I grew up with. They’re so beautiful and you can’t help but be inspired by something so overtly romantic.’ 

After wowing at Upside Doon last year, West Dunbartonshire six-piece Have Mercy Las Vegas are back in Alloway playing their trademark mix of folk-blues Americana. Their blisteringly tight musicianship and perfectly interlaced harmonies went down a treat last year and they’re a welcome return to the festival.

They’ll be joined by pop/rock band Patersani, fronted by brothers Craig and Dave Paterson, and Anna Sweeney who crosses genres between pop, blues and country and has been likened to Taylor Swift, Haim and Joni Mitchell. Look out too for Sophie Rogers and her Caledonia soul with a folk/pop edge. 

Completing the line-up is Glasgow’s Brownbear, the musical collective led by singer/songwriter Matt Hickman. The group released their debut single ‘Dead or Alive’ in 2016 and have since toured with The Libertines and The View. 

The National Trust for Scotland works every day to protect Scotland’s national and natural treasures. From coastlines to castles, art to architecture, wildlife to wilderness, we protect all of this For the Love of Scotland.

In Our Strategy for Protecting Scotland’s Heritage 2018–2023, we set out how we’re planning to work towards our vision that Scotland’s heritage is valued by everyone and protected now, and for future generations.