The Belladrum Festival Community Trust (BFCT) has announced the first recipients of its community grant funding, with fifteen organisations within local vicinity to Belladrum Estate receiving support in the Trust’s inaugural round.
The Trust, launched by Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival in late 2025 was created to ensure money generated by the festival car parking ticket sales is reinvested directly back into the local communities surrounding the festival site.
Funding for the Trust grants has been generated through the introduction of the festival’s car parking pass scheme, first implemented in 2024 to help improve traffic flow and encourage more sustainable travel to the event.
Community groups, schools, sports clubs and local initiatives within the surrounding Community Council areas were invited to apply, with successful projects reflecting the breadth of activity taking place across the area.
All of the local schools within the eligible areas received funding to support their requests which include educational opportunities and improvements for pupils, such as contributions towards school trips and new outdoor seating. Youth and family groups have also benefited, with the Kiltarlity Baby and Toddler Group able to invest in new play equipment for local children.
Organisations awarded funding in the first round include 7th Inverness (Aird) Scout Group, Abriachan Forest Trust, Aird Community Trust, Beauly & District Care Lunch Club, Beauly Community Council’s Beauly in Bloom initiative, Cannich First Responders, Culburnie Croft, Kirkhill Primary School and Shinty Team, Lovat Shinty Club, Teanassie Primary School and Tomnacross Parent Council, among others.
Naomi Hollas, Festival Co-ordinator, said: “Belladrum has always had strong roots in the surrounding communities, and it’s incredibly rewarding to now see the Community Trust directly supporting so many fantastic local projects. The variety of groups receiving funding really reflects the strength and diversity of our local communities, from schools and youth groups to environmental initiatives and grassroots sport.”
The Belladrum Festival Community Trust was established following the introduction of the festival’s new car parking pass system, introduced after the 2023 event as part of a major overhaul of traffic management. The initiative helped organisers better predict vehicle numbers while also encouraging car sharing, the use of public transport and shuttle services.
All money raised through the car parking pass sales (after operational and staffing costs) has been allocated directly to the Trust to fund community grants.
Following the success of the first funding round, the Belladrum Festival Community Trust has confirmed that a second round of applications will open in June, giving more local organisations the opportunity to benefit. Those interested in potential funding are encouraged to follow Belladrum Festival on social media to keep up to date with launch dates and information on how to apply when this becomes available.
Belladrum Festival, held annually on the Belladrum Estate, attracts thousands of visitors to the Highlands each summer and is widely recognised as one of Scotland’s most family-friendly festivals.
The 2026 event takes place Thursday 30th July – 1st August and the lineup includes Callum Beattie, James, The Human League, Mika, Sigala, Rizzle Kicks and hundreds more across 3 days of music, arts and theatre.
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