Crumbling Italian gardens in the heart of the Highlands, serene woodlands, acres of farmland with outhouses falling to pieces - a truly romantic setting for the altogether unique Tartan Heart Festival.

For the sixth time the normally tranquil Belladrum estate, near Inverness, was transformed into a delightfully off the wall carnival of music, poetry, debate, fancy dress, sculptures, meditation and some darn good grub. And to the delight of all those slogging away behind the scenes, it was the only sell out festival in Scotland this year and was busting at the seams with 12,000 weekend revellers in attendance.

Never failing to surprise, this year’s Tartan Heart certainly did not disappoint. Everywhere you turned something quirky caught the eye, whether glowing hearts snug in the treetops around the traditional estate or the abundance of fancy dress.
But for most of us the weekend revolved around the music – whether rock, indie, bluegrass, folk or celtic. The only downside was that it was impossible to see it all. Tartan Heart hosts an almost sickeningly rich mix that the headlining acts billed for the two-day line up almost took a back seat.

Friday
As the sun shone down on delighted music lovers, Grousebeater Soundsystem and their array of pipes, whistles, bass and fiddle opened the garden stage. Trying to take traditional music in a new direction, the six piece put their own slant on traditional music with hip hop and dance mix ups. Meanwhile warming the Hothouse tent, local boys Shutter put their instrumental rock on show.

Next up on the garden stage was the second ‘one off’ reunion of old Highland favourites Scooty and the Skyhooks with their funky blues covers entertaining with anything from Blues Brothers’ hits to an energetic cover of Jackie Wilson’s ‘Higher and Higher’. Kid British provided a set of loud, irritating noise in the guise of ska with a twist. The Joy Formidable faired slightly better with the trio’s Blondie-inspired punky pop. The arrival of Broken Records was a surprising relief though, despite having apparently seen them last year, their unique multi-instrumental sound mixing rock and traditional has been hotly tipped by many critics as one to watch.

Back across the fields Washington Irving, whose name is inspired by the noted American author, drew in the crowds with their indie-folk pop. And over in the Hothouse tent Official Secrets Act were welcomed back to the Highlands into open arms with their dark indie-pop.
After singing for Belladrum’s first wedding couple, Pearl (real name Katie Sutherland) of Pearl & The Puppets was back on the Grassroots stage. Like other similar females who have taken the stage here (Amy MacDonald, Kate Nash) a decent crowd turned out to see what the hype has been about. The result, nothing outstanding. Admittedly Katie has a lovely, gentle voice, catchy songs and gave a feisty performance but the altered accent is grating and been done before.

Sticking with the Grassroots crowd, Lau were definitely the highlight in terms of traditional music. While Toploader played the main stage (a band personally loathed almost entirely due to ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’), the clearly passionate musicians delivered an impressive and musically inspiring set which felt like you were privy to a cosy, private jam. Tommy Reilly was everything expected and more with his unusual voice and impressive solo cover of the Killers’ Mr Brightside.

Tartan Heart favourites Peatbog Faeries were as entertaining as ever with their whirling set of lively traditional music alight with pipes, fiddles, bluesy bass and brass. Editors followed in the headlining slot – last time they visited they were only starting out but this time they won crowds over with old favourites as well as previewing material from their upcoming album. And for those reliving their youth Shed Seven went down a storm in the packed Hothouse tent.

Saturday
With so many distractions in the form of comedy, arts, debate and general lazing about in the sun the second day became a blur of entertainment. Local electronic indie act Theatre Fall did not enjoy their finest performance due to poor sound, drowning out the vocals. The Dangleberries, regular Bella visitors, were popular with the rock meets traditional music and yes that bloke playing guitar for The New Forbidden was in fact the pasta sauce man himself, Lloyd Grossman. Edward II and Kissmet were both awash with English reggae grooves and neither particularly impressed.

Twin Atlantic were promoted to the Hothouse stage this year after their forced sit in gig at Bella in 2008. The pop rockers from Glasgow have come on leaps and bounds since then and the live cello addition was not as corny as expected. Following them The Phantom Band played with their mash up of unique indie rock.
The Lost Brothers, an Irish duo based in Liverpool, are a pair of characters, their Americana strummings dwelling somewhere between the Everly Brothers and Simon and Garfunkel. Indie-folk newcomers Noah and the Whale baffled – expecting more in the vein of ‘Five Years Time’ they were somewhat grungier. But the impressive turnout for The Saw Doctors has to be mentioned, the Irish folk rockers were many people’s highlight and their Galway humour only boosted an already enjoyable set.

After unfortunately missing Sons & Daughters, who only just made it this year, Seth Lakeman did not fail to make the night worthwhile. The Dartmoor singer, guitarist, fiddler and stomper was joined by superb musicians and rattled through a set of traditional inspired folk, worth missing Ocean Colour Scene for.

Fireworks saw out the weekend of the bizarre and sublime while the prominent winged Bella heart, sitting luminous above the crowds, went into what can only be said to be cardiac arrest.
As contented music fans headed back to camp, Belladrum echoed its final few beats before Tartan Heart 2009 was laid to rest, returning the traditional Highland farmlands to their quiet, tranquil state.

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