The Mhor the merrier as Scottish festival returns

The award-winning Mhor Festival returns to the bonnie banks of Loch Voil this month, showcasing some of Scotland’s hottest up and coming talent.

Featuring everything from boat trips to bush craft and paintball to pony rides Mhor Festival is the perfect blend of great food, live performances, outdoor activities and celebrity chefs.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park this one of a kind celebration of all things fun and funky is expected to attract thousands of visitors to its stunning location near Balquhidder from May 25-27.

Now in its seventh year, the 2018 line-up will focus on home-grown musical and fashion talent. With the Mhor Collection’s latest venture, Mhor in Store, home to some of Scotland and the UK’s leading fashion brands, the festival will double as an interactive catwalk, showing off the work of award winning designers La Fetiche and Niche Optical Tailors, alongside local creators such as Ryan Hannigan.

In traditional Mhor Festival style, owner and festival co-founder Tom Lewis will join close friends and collaborators Nick Nairn and Paul Rankin in serving up the Mhor Festival feast on the Friday night. And 100 lucky guests will get the opportunity to sample some of Scotland’s best produce from some of the country’s most passionate cooks.

When it comes to the festival soundtrack, Ewan McPherson of Shooglenifty will be playing with Balquhidder Callum Convoy, the All Ireland Bodhran Under 18 Champion 2017, Finn Moore and Mike Vass in the first live performance from The Travelling Junipers.

Mhor Festival are proud to be hosting world class DJ Jon sa Trinxa for his Scottish debut, alongside Andy Carroll and live music from Ray Harris. They will join up-and-coming home-grown talent, Inverness’s Dylan Tierney and Glasgow’s 100 Fables, to feature in a folk to funk line-up guaranteed to tickle every type of musical taste bud.

In 2018 Mhor Festival will add to the interactive experience with live talks and demonstrations covering a wide range of topics. Whether you have the itch to stitch and want to learn to upholster, or you’ve always wondered the best way to chop and stack wood, prepare to learn a new skill.

Back by popular demand Disco Yoga will bring some funk to the 16th century farm hotel’s front lawn and the raft race will see Young at Heart festival goers descend upon, and sometimes into, the clear waters of Loch Doine. Trapeze taster workshops, silent disco, cake competition and interactive cookery classes will also be returning to this year’s festival.

And in typical trend setting style, the Mhor Festival will also be introducing a brand new, interactive app designed to keep festival goers updated and connected with who, what and when. So, if you can’t wait to find out which childhood favourite won the cake competition, or you don’t want to miss a minute of the silent disco, make sure you upload Cadence from the app store in time for it going live on the 18 May.

And if you are worried about getting online, fear not, thanks to the tireless efforts of Balquhidder Community Broadband, the Mhor Festival will also feature the UKs fastest broadband, so you can use the app’s interactive functions to ensure you don’t miss any of your favourite acts or activities.

Another new addition to the ever-expanding programme is the Glengoyne Supper Club which will be exclusive to Mhor Festival and take place in the festival’s newest venue; the Fire Hut.

Join the world renowned whisky producers for a seven-course supper, cooked over an open fire and paired with their most mouth-watering drams. By day the Fire Hut will be home to a variety of whisky tasting, for more information and to book your tickets please contact the distillery direct on 01360 550254. Places are limited.

Mhor Festival will also be the backdrop for the launch of Mhor gins, Dr Osbourne’s No. 46 and No. 99 this year, made in conjunction with The Old Curiosity Distillery and featuring botanicals grown and distilled at the Secret Herb Garden, Edinburgh.

Festival founder Tom Lewis said: ‘There is nothing like Mhor Festival. There are lots of great festivals around but we have created something unique and this year’s event will be extra special. With fashion, music, food demos, live talks and great food and drink we are making sure there is more than ever for people to do, whether they are visiting for the day or staying for the weekend.’

Mhor Festival runs from 25-27 May at Monachyle Mhor near Balquhidder in the Trossachs.

To book a room at Monachyle Mhor, camping pitch, day ticket, or a yurt click HERE.