2025 impact report highlights festival as a major driver of tourism, jobs and regional growth in the Highlands
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival has delivered a powerful economic boost to the Highlands and Scotland, with the 2025 event generating £11.2 million for the national economy and supporting more than 100 related jobs in the region, according to a new independent economic impact assessment of the 2025 festival.
The report shows that Belladrum generated £7.8 million in net economic impact for the Highlands, underlining the festival’s importance not only as a cultural highlight but as a significant economic engine for the region.
Visitor spending directly linked to Belladrum totalled £5.6 million, representing money brought into the region specifically because the festival took place. When this spend circulated through local businesses, suppliers and employees, the overall benefit rose to £7.8 million for the Highlands and an impressive £11.2 million across Scotland.
“It is incredible seeing the economic impact Bella has annually in both the local community and across the wider Highlands & Scotland. We strive wherever possible to work alongside regional partners and suppliers and look forward to working alongside current and new companies, organisations and charities over the coming years.” Dougie Brown, Festival Producer
For a region where tourism employment is often seasonal, Belladrum 2025 supported the equivalent of 102 tourism-related jobs in the Highlands, rising to 147 jobs across Scotland. The festival also invited UHI students once again to apply and take part in volunteer and hands-on experiences on site, a valuable partnership that has grown over the last several years.
Almost half of attendees travelled from outside the Highland Council area, with more than three-quarters citing the festival as their sole or main reason for visiting the region.
In addition to its measured economic impact, Belladrum 2025 generated over £150,000 for local good causes via charity partnerships and ticket donations, alongside wider unquantified benefits through local procurement, trader activity and event delivery. The report also notes that Belladrum’s economic impact has grown by 70% since 2014.
First staged in 2004, Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival has grown steadily over more than two decades to become one of Scotland’s most established (and largest) major outdoor music events, now operating at its final capacity of 25,000 attendees per day.
The festival returns for its 22nd edition from 30 July to 1 August 2026, with early ticket sales reported to be performing strongly. The 2026 programme will feature artists including Callum Beattie, James, The Human League, Mika, Razorlight, Ella Henderson, Sigala, Scouting For Girls and Kula Shaker, alongside hundreds of artists across multiple stages.
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