ScotFest to return next year after hugely-successful launch

Les McKeown's Legendary Bay City Rollers appeared at ScotFest.

And they are celebrating the success of the first edition of the festival, claiming the music extravaganza contributed about £2 million to the local economy.

The family friendly event attracted more than 13,000 revellers at Ingliston’s Royal Highland Centre (RHC) earlier this month on the back of headliners including The Jacksons and Boyzone.

Les McKeown’s Legendary Bay City Rollers provided one of the most memorable moments of the inaugural ScotFest, with a moving tribute to original Rollers bassist Alan Longmuir.

ScotFest organiser Stuart Prentice said: “We are delighted at the success of this year’s event.

“It was a great friendly atmosphere all weekend and it was lovely to see so many smiling faces.

“We are delighted to be able to bring such big bands to the festival. We look forward to next year. We believe the festival will have generated £2m to the local economy between transport, hotels, staff, and suppliers.”

Mr Prentice added: ”We have had a positive response from all people hosting the event, including the police, Edinburgh council and RHC, who are all positive with the success of the event and the happy family feel it portrayed.

“If success is measured in happy smiling faces, we won the jackpot.

“Everyone is keen to continue and we look forward to running a similar event next year supporting Scottish brands and bands with the support of the First Minister and the Scottish Government.

“We would also welcome support from any sponsors, who wish to get involved next year.”

Mr Prentice confirmed ScotFest organisers were in talks and had met with local authorities and police to discuss plans for hosting the music event again next year.

This year’s festival saw Boyzone and B*witched performing to family members, while The Jacksons  remembered their father Joseph.

Les McKeown’s Legendary Bay City Rollers celebrated the life and music of Longmuir.

Their set was dedicated to their former bandmate, who had died in hospital only a week earlier after contracting a bug on holiday in Cancun, Mexico.

Pictures of Alan and his bandmates having fun and joking at shows were projected during the touching tribute shown at Ingliston.

McKeown had been at Longmuir’s bedside just hours before his friend passed away at the age of 70.

He said: “I won’t let him disappear. We all loved Alan, he was one of the original Rollers.

“He got on with everybody and everyone lit up when he strolled on to the stage, he was a laid back and cool guy.”

Billed as Scotland’s ultimate throwback music festival, ScotFest’s inaugural showing also featured classic ‘90s bands Five and East 17, as well as Liberty X.

Boyzone played a set as part of their official UK farewell tour.