The 2021 incarnation of the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival has been postponed until next year.

The annual event, which has taken place at Beaulay, near Inverness, failed to take place for he first time in its 16 year history, being cancelled in April 2020.

Music fans at the perpetually sold-out event should have enjoyed a lineup from July 30th to August 1st 2020 that included Nile Rodgers & Chic, Emeli Sande, Shed Seven, Stiff Little Fingers, Tide Lines, and Passenger.

In June last year at the height of the pandemic the organisers announced that Nile Rodgers & Chic, Emeli Sande, plus Van Morrison were good for July 29th – 31st 2021.

Sadly, a statement from Tartan Heart read: “After months of considered efforts, it is with deep regret that we are today, announcing the postponement of the 2021 Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival.

No one wants to be back in the fields at Bella more than us, however, the status of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has made it clear that delivering an event we all know and love, just isn’t going to be possible this year.

“Whilst the vaccine programme appears to be progressing well and there are signs of light at the end of the very long tunnel, we feel there are still too many uncertainties surrounding the potential restrictions that may be in place.

“We don’t want to deliver an event we aren’t proud of or compromise in any way on the magic that makes Bella so special to all of us. We are aware that there are some events that are going ahead and we have considered all options for how Bella might look but the nature of the weekend camping show we have just doesn’t make it possible.”

2021 ticket holders will be given the option to transfer their tickets to the 2022 event – now scheduled for 28th – 30th July. However, anyone unable to make those dates will be offered a full refund for all tickets purchased.

More at tartanheartfestival.co.uk