Kelburn – 03/07 – 06/07/2026

Wet was the word.

Some guy told me he started to develop trench face from sleeping in the bog.

The rain did not stop.

The mud was crazy.

But people who tend to go these things are not phased by it.

Yes its not ideal but you can’t buy the weather – you can however buy better waterproofs.

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HIGHLIGHTS – FRIDAY

I cycled there which was pretty cool. Pretty much cycle paths the full way apart from the last 15km.

I knew I wanted to cycle but had done nothing about organising it. No route plan. Hadn’t put my racks on my bike. But I got my shit together after a fun morning off work, planned the route on the toilet and then off I went.

I left and it was dry – as soon as i reached Largs the rain started and hasn’t stopped even as i write this.

I stopped at a Morrisons in Johnstone – I saw this old couple struggling with there mobile phone outside. I asked if they were okay but they were struggling to get the phone number for the taxi to work. They weren’t entering the extension code. My fucking heart man. I could just imagine my Grandparents being in this situation and I was so glad I was able to help them.

The Giants Castle was the place to be Friday night. The line up was so good, i discovered some new dj’s in particular Peeve . I would occasionally leave the castle to go scout other things incase i was missing anything – but i kept finding my way back.

I went to the main stage to watch Stevie Cox who’s set was unreal.

She led very nicely into Jen Cardini which I was mesmerised by how she was able to continually keep the energy so high. It’s something I’m so interested by. It doesnt feels like dj’ing. Things flowed. I just wonder where they find these tracks.

At times during the set I was looking out at the crowd up the the light show and just feeling super content.

I sat for a bit and someone came up and started talking to me. Someone in their group was a a connection from home. Such a small world.

I find festivals and concerts so funny for that – the few people you know or dont yet know seem to come perfectly into your life at the right times.

HIGHLIGHTS – SATURDAY

Saturday I had no real agenda. I knew I wanted to watch Wallace at view Point at 2am. Other than that I was really keen to just go with the flow.

Because I cycled i got a free shower pass. It’s not something I would spend money on but fuck, it was so good. A chance to get warm again. A coffee and a wee black pudding roll and the boiled eggs from Morrisons – I was ready.

I then went to the sound bath – newsflash – it was still raining. So I was lying on this tarp getting rain mizzled on my face getting sonically healed. It was fucking class.

I then sat and had a toastie whilst listening to EHFM for the next 2 hours watching a baby in a dinosaur onesie crawl around the floor and heal evryone.

I heard this song on NTS a few weekends back but never got the ID – EHFM played it and I knew i had to ask for it. Stick it on loop and go for 40 minutes.

I then trekked up the glen to explore the incredible artwork. I went to the boat for a small while and then went to the beach landing to see Angel play.

I played with Angel back in February last year. He does a lot for the Glasgow dancers and it was cool to see people getting around him. The set was so good. People were getting down and playing in the mud and finding that flow at 3pm. Very cool.

I made some friends at this stage and I would bump ito them later and spend the rest of Saturday with them.

Sometimes when the line ups at a festival are super stacked I feel like I have to have a schedule to optimise my time to see all the amazing music but at Kelburn I just allowed myself to be pulled in any direction.

We went and caught the back of Joshua Idehen. We only caught the last bit but his energy and positivity radiated off the stage and I felt really uplifted after leaving him.

Scran and more ceilidh tunes to get out of the wet.

Walking over a marathon a day and having around 3 hours sleep can leave you feeling pretty tired. I had some down time and thought that might of been it for me.

Until Francessco came in and saved me. This guy just talked a million miles an hour at me and it was the exact thing i needed. Resurrected.

We went back to the View Point and danced hard to sexy house from Ash Lauryn. I was getting down.

Wallace closed out the Viewpoint and it was so good. Track he ended on was talking heads – take me to the river and it was so fun.

Moments

Cycling the weird bike and popping a wheelie to everyones cheer.

Splashing in the mud.

Francessco saying he got trench face.

Dancing without judgement.

The cycle in and just having enjoyed my morning off work and talking big ideas.

Getting a warm shower.

The soundbath.

Buying my wee hat.

Bumping into friends – new and old.

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THOUGHTS

I went alone to Kelburn. I’ve been to a few festivals now by myself. To some that may seem crazy. I do get it.

I want to do these things and I wont let other people not being keen stop me.

Its a weird feeling because I dont feel lonely. You feel part of something bigger. You dont know these people but yet you know what type of person they are.

They arent put off by the weather and mud. They also don’t complain about it. You probably feel that in the ‘real’ world you dont really fit in. You feel moved by music in a way that feels spiritual. Your open minded and curious.

Somehow dancing in the wet and mud, not showering or really caring about appearances and feeling free of judgement can put you back into that wee guy state and allow you to just have fun.

The world needs more fun and more togetherness.

It might not be that deep – but it might also be.

I think of a younger version of myself – how opposed I would of been to this spiritual stuff. Soundbaths and yoga and talking nice to myself and showing gratitude and writing it down and breathing.

Now look at me.

Try the woo woo shit. Honestly it might just save you. What’s the worst that could happen.?