As the return of the much anticipated Connect Music Festival draws nearer, organisers have released a variety of travel options from Lanarkshire for the alternative Edinburgh Fringe after show party.
Music fans can start to plan their getaway weekend for the Royal Highland Centre Showgrounds event which runs from August 26 to 28.
And with the venue just a short journey from Edinburgh city centre, the festival will also provide the perfect after show party playground at the end of the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival, rounding up a great summer of music in Scotland.
Uniting some of the most influential and truly pioneering names in music from across the world – from the likes of IDLES, The Chemical Brothers, Mogwai, The National, Jon Hopkins, Little Simz, Moses Boyd, Self Esteem and many more, Connect will bring together music lovers from across the globe to celebrate with this phenomenal line up.
A festival for music lovers - the first Edinburgh edition of Connect promises to be one to remember.
The weekend’s fun will take place across four stages; The Grand Parade where guests can expect to get up close to the biggest names in music, Guitars & Other Machines which is a space for up-and-coming, grassroots artists and your favourites of the future, plus a few heroes in there too, the Unknown Pleasures stage which invites fans to explore their adventurous side with a programme of electronic music, and some top and upcoming DJs.
Over at the Speakeasy in association with The List, there will be a host of talent and conversation on show, from comedy acts sure to get the tent erupting in laughs, to artist Q&As with some of Scotland’s biggest and best talent.
Organisers are focused on making Connect as sustainable as it can possibly be by choosing a venue with infrastructure already in place, which means fewer generators and other temporary power sources, again helping to minimise the festival’s environmental impact.
The Royal Highland Centre is easily reached by public transport from anywhere in the country, including Lanarkshire being close to bus, rail and tram routes from Edinburgh city centre.
The most sustainable way to get to Connect from outwith Edinburgh is to book a ticket with charter bus provider, Happy Bus – they are running services from multiple locations across Scotland including Lanarkshire from just £24 return.
The Lothian Bus Service 98 runs from Edinburgh city centre at North St David Street with a total journey time of just 30 minutes to the Royal Highland Centre.
To get to Connect via the 98, the first bus from Edinburgh city centre is at 11:30am running every 30 minutes until 1pm and then every 15-20minutes from 1pm until 5pm.
To get back to Edinburgh city centre after Connect via the 98, the first bus will leave Connect at 7pm running every 30 minutes until 11pm.
Lothian Buses run regular services from Edinburgh city centre. The Airlink 100, Skylink 200 & 300 and services 20 & 63 all run regularly and drop off close to the Royal Highland Centre.
Citylink also operates services that drop off on the nearby A8 which takes passengers directly to and from Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station.
Scotrail run services from across many locations in Scotland to Edinburgh Waverley or Haymarket. From there, music fans can pick up the city shuttle 98 service by Lothian Buses which will drop them near the festival site.
Or the low-emission option of tram and shuttle bus takes customers to Ingliston Park & Ride.
There will be a free shuttle to/from Ingliston Park & Ride throughout the day and at night on festival days. Trams will be extended until approximately 11.50pm from Ingliston.
If you are being picked up/dropped off by private car or taxi, head for the Royal Highland Centre and follow the signage to the dedicated pick up/drop off point. Limited car parking is also available at £10 per day via Ticketmaster and must be purchased in advance.
Although Connect Music Festival will not be a traditional camping event, there will be a limited number of boutique camping structures such as Bell tents, luxury Bellepads, regular budget options and more - boutique, pre-bookable camping gives you the authentic festival experience but means you don’t have to carry your own gear.
Campervan 3-day passes can be purchased from Ticketmaster at £129 each.
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