The festival
Ridgetop Old-Time String Band Festival will take place from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 July 2027.
Pre-camping opens evening of Thursday 8th.
We are delighted to host Ridgetop at Beechbrae in West Lothian, Scotland.
so what is an old time stringband festival?
It’s not like a normal music festival! It’s primarily for musicians (of all experience levels) to come together and jam, often late into the night.
There isn’t a line-up of bands on big stages. Instead you’ll find jam sessions, community meals, workshops, camping…..
Your ticket money goes towards the venue costs, workshop tutor fees and admin costs for the festival organisers.
Getting here
Beechbrae Wood
Heights Rd
Blackridge
West Lothian
public transport
Blackridge train station is 1 mile from Beechbrae. There are frequent direct trains from Edinburgh and Glasgow.
We will organise lifts between Blackridge train station and Beechbrae on Friday evening and Sunday evening.
CARS
There is no parking on site, except for Blue Badge holders and campervans.
If you're coming by car, you can drive to the site on Friday evening for loading in,and Sunday afternoon/evening for loading out. Outside of these times you can leave your vehicle at Blackridge Station carpark or in the village. We'll organise lifts between Beechbrae and the carpark.
We will organise a lift share sign up nearer the time. Travelling together means less time in traffic jams, more time in old-time jams!
blue badge holders and campervans
Blue Badge holders can park in the Beechbrae carpark all weekend.
We have 7 spaces for campervans to stay at Beechbrae for the whole weekend. You can book a campervan space when you book your ticket.
Pre-camping
Festival activities and catering will begin on the evening of Friday 9th July, running through until Sunday afternoon. People are welcome to come camp on site from the evening of Thursday 8th (that way you can squeeze in more tunes!)
ACCOMMODATION
Come and stay at beautiful Beechbrae!
Camping
Camping is in a field across the road from the Woodland Centre (it’s 150 metres to the toilets, bring your headtorches!) There is plenty of space for everyone in the field.
Campervans
We have space for 5 campervans in the Beechbrae carpark with an additional 2 in a layby on the main road (it’s a quiet road). There is no electric hook up or elsan disposal.
Local accommodation
There are various guesthouses, B&Bs and hotels within 10 miles of Beechbrae. There is no parking on site at Beechbrae outside load-in and load-out times, except for Blue Badge holders.
facilities
Beechbrae is a social enterprise and charity, set in a beautiful woodland. There’s an orchard, wild pond, fire circle and the Woodland Centre building.
The Woodland Centre has several workshop rooms and a big hall for dancing and eating together.
There are toilets in the Woodland Centre. The toilets are 150 metres from the camping field, and 20 metres from the campervans.
There are no showers on site.
There is safe drinking water in the Woodland Centre.
You can charge your phone inside the Woodland Centre.
accessibility
We will do our very best to make adjustments so everyone can attend. If you have any access needs, contact us at hello[at]ridgetopfest.com.
Parking
Beechbrae has parking for Blue Badge holders. The carpark is 20 meters from the Woodland Centre. The Woodland Centre has toilets, kitchen, indoor space, mains water and electricity.
Toilets
There are 4 toilets at the Beechbrae Woodland Centre, one of which is fully accessible. The centre was purpose built 4 years ago and fully meets modern accessibility standards. There are grab rails and an alarm system in place. The width of the door is 80cm.
Step-free access and terrain
The main Woodland Centre building is fully accessible to wheelchair users. There is step free access to the ground floor of the building. There is a lift to the top floor.
Access around the rest of the site is mixed. There are level gravel paths beyond the Woodland Centre, which provide access to the main fire pit and pond. Beyond the pond, access into the woodland is mixed, with uneven and often boggy ground. The site is generally level and there are public footpaths through some areas of the woodland.
food and drink
We will provide tasty home-cooked veggie and vegan food.
Full catering includes Friday dinner; Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner; Sunday breakfast and lunch. Snacks, tea and coffee are also included.
When you book, you can let us know about any dietary requirements.
There is no bar on site so bring your own booze.
Waste & Recycling
We’ll have waste, compost and recycling facilities on site but encourage everyone to help make our cleanup easier by taking as much as they can away with them. The nearest community recycling centre is in Whitburn (10 minute drive).
WHO CAN COME TO RIDGETOP
Ridgetop is for anyone who loves old-time music and dance. Players of all experience levels are welcome.
If you're new to old-time music, you can learn more from these resources:
David Holt on old time music from Surry County, North Carolina
George Jackson’s ‘Old Time 100 Vol 1’ for classic session tunes
About old time music in North Carolina from Blue Ridge Music
Clifftop Appalachian Stringband Festival from WV Department of Culture
Partners, family and friends
Everyone is welcome. People who don’t play an instrument can take part in dancing, singing and foraging workshops.
Kids
Children are welcome to come along but we are not planning any specific children's activities. Please get in touch with us if you are thinking of bringing kids.
You must supervise your kids at all times. There are some hazards on site, including a main road and a deep pond.
Assistance dogs only
Pet dogs cannot come to Ridgetop. This is to accommodate all other participants and protect the lovely flock of Beechbrae hens.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all the spaces.
what to bring
Bring everything you need to feel comfortable for camping, playing tunes, dancing and hanging out in all weathers.
Indoor and outdoor shoes
Bring shoes that you don’t mind getting muddy for the campsite and outdoor areas.
We are not allowed to wear outdoor shoes inside the Woodland Centre. Bring socks or slippers for wearing inside.
Warm layers and blankets
If you’re camping, we would advise bringing an extra blanket or hot water bottle. The campsite is in an elevated field and it could be cold at night, even in summertime.
Spare strings
The nearest music shop is 5 miles away in Whitburn so bring spare strings and anything you'll need for playing.
Battery packs and chargers
There will be plugs available in the Woodland Centre for charging devices. You may want to bring a battery pack too.
Camping chairs
There are lots of chairs inside the Woodland Centre. There are benches and wooden logs to sit on throughout the woodland areas. You may want to bring camping chairs to use in the campsite.
We encourage jamming in the woodland areas and centre, and there will be no jamming allowed in the campsite after 7pm.
Alcohol
We do not sell any alcohol on site so bring your own.
Do not bring any illegal drugs. If you do, we'll have to kick you out.
get updates
Join our mailing list to get the latest news about tickets and workshops when we announce!