The Gathering Festival

About The Gathering

Built around a one-day city-centre format, The Gathering 2027 brings acoustic, alternative, folk and world music to Northern Meeting Park, Inverness.

The festival dates back to 2019, after an inaugural public announcement in November 2018 for a June debut at the same park. Scale stays compact: about 6,000 capacity.

Lineup and Programme

Live music is spread across two stages. The bill leans into Highlands and Scotland-based music and culture, with acoustic, alternative, folk and world music in the programme.

Away from the stages, the site includes craft food and drink, local makers and a dedicated kids area.

Who Is It For?

Skiddle lists The Gathering as a family festival with no age restrictions. Under-18s must attend with someone aged 21 or over, with a maximum of two under-18s per accompanying adult.

ID is required if a child looks older than 16 and holds a 16-and-under ticket. The audience spans all-ages Highland music fans.

The Venue and Site

Northern Meeting Park returned to the event calendar in 2025 with The Gathering listed by VisitScotland as the first event back after extensive renovations closed the park at the end of 2023.

This is a one-day outdoor site rather than a camping festival. Facilities include disabled toilets, a disabled viewing area in front of the main stage and contactless payment across most of the site.

Small unopened water bottles and snacks are allowed. Collapsible chairs and blankets are permitted in a designated area away from the main stage, and there are no phone charging facilities.

Travel to The Gathering

Northern Meeting Park sits in Inverness city centre, with Inverness Station listed as the nearest station.

• Rail: Inverness Station is the nearest station.
• Road: Access is via the A82 at Rose Street roundabout. Ardross Street, Kenneth Street and Tomnahurich Street also serve the park.
• Parking: There is no festival parking. City-centre parking applies, with Ardross Street metered and pay-and-display options at Highland Council Headquarters and Cathedral car parks.