Highland rock gods Dionyssus have added their name to the list of bands playing in the Tartan Heart Festival at Belladrum Italian Gardens, Beauly on 14th August.

The band battled triumphantly through heats to the 27th June Scottish finals of Emergenza, the UK-wide competition for live music performance. Despite not making it through to the national final, they are surely bound for greater things.

Named after the Greek god of wine and revelry, Dionyssus have attracted a huge crowd of local worshippers as they exhibit much of the lust for life attributed to that father of all winos. They replace Planet Potato who have been forced to quit the festival line-up for personal reasons.

Dionyssus join a galaxy of Scottish musical talent at the festival including: The Grim Northern Social, tyros of the vibrant Glasgow indie rock scene; The Andy Gunn Band and king of Northern soul Geno Washington; Karen Matheson and Donald Shaw of Capercaillie; ex Love & Money balladeer James Grant; The Peatbog Faeries; David Ogilvy and the melodic harmonies and rythmns of the Caribbean coast of Columbia in the shape of Toto La Momposina.

The one day festival takes place in the romantic setting of the terraced Italian gardens at Belladrum Estate, By Beauly, Inverness-shire from 9.00 AM to midnight on 14th August (music starts at 11.00 AM). Free camping is available from 13th – 15th August. Besides music, there will be street theatre, stalls, food and drink, alternative therapies and dance.

Tickets are limited and £25 in advance or £35 at the gate if still available. They can be bought on-line from the festival web site at www.belladrum.co.uk or by post from Joe Gibbs, Phoineas, By Beauly, Inverness-shire, IV4 7BA (cheques payable to Tartan Heart Festival). There is a City box office in Inverness at Hootananny’s cafe ceilidh bar in Church Street.

For further information on the festival see the festival web site www.belladrum.co.uk or call 01463 741366.