ESSENTIALS & FAQ

So you’re coming to FyneFest, or at least thinking about it. Here’s all the info you need for the weekend; we recommend everyone reads every question in its entirety – the information contained below comprises the festival rules and terms and conditions, as well as some helpful advice on how to make the most of the weekend.

Any information that might be missing? Fire us an email or get us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and we’ll do our best to get back to you asap.

Please note – these FAQs are based on FyneFest 2019, so some information may be changed in the lead up to future events.

 

What are the festival opening times?

 

For those with weekend tickets, admission to the festival site is from 10am on the Friday of the festival. Please do not arrive before this, as there is no room for parking and you may block crucial access routes. If you intend to arrive at or near 10am, please be patient as there can sometimes be a rush of earlybirds making parking slightly more difficult.

For day ticket or Saturday-Sunday camping ticket holders, admission is from 10am on the day of the ticket validity until the conclusion of the final day of validity (no later than 2am).

The festival officially concludes at midday on the Monday.

When leaving the festival, please be patient as the entrance to the festival site can get congested and affected by adverse weather causing issues for some vehicles.

What should I bring to FyneFest?

The most essential item to bring is your tickets, either digitally (downloaded) or printed at home. There will strictly be no entry to the festival site without tickets being scanned on entry to the main arena, so keep that in mind if you’re coming from the car park with arms full of stuff.

Otherwise, if you’re camping we recommend the essentials – tent, groundsheet, sleeping bag etc, as well as a torch (headlamps are both useful AND cool), and your personal belongings – clothes, toiletries etc. We generally would also recommend bringing along some midge repellent – the mix of warm and damp Scottish Summer weather can sometimes lead to a few of them around the festival site.

Other useful items include:

  • Water canteen/reusable bottle (to be refilled at drinking water points)
  • Spare toilet roll (if you don’t want to be caught out)
  • Rubbish bags
  • Ear plugs (if you’re a light sleeper)
  • Wet wipes/baby wipes

We also recommend bringing along cash – you can use cards to buy tokens and merch , and get cashback too (with a £1 charge per transaction), but it’s worth bringing some along to get you started, and keep in mind that food vendors on site are cash only.

Please remember to bring photographic ID – alcohol wristbands will not be issued to anyone unable to produce photographic ID on entry.

Please bring all essential medications you might require over the weekend.

How far is the car park to the campsite?

Though the walk from the car park to the camping areas is relatively short, we know it can feel a lot longer with camping gear to carry – we’ll be offering help via quad bike and trailer, but it will be busy during peak times so not everyone will be able to use it.

In previous years, some people have brought barrows or carts to help move things to the camping areas – might be a good shout if you’re packing heavy!

Can I bring food and cooking equipment to the festival?

Cooking equipment, including camping stoves and BBQs, is allowed on site but BBQs can only be used in the BBQ area near the shower block and family camping area. This is due to new licensing restrictions and will be enforced by festival stewards. While camping stoves are permitted to be used in the camping area, they should only be used by those not under the influence of alcohol, with care and attention, taking note of the following:

  • Do not use in close proximity to any tent or structure.
  • Do not remove partially used gas cylinders from camping stoves, and not remove any cylinders from stoves inside any tent.
  • Ensure all appliances are turned off and cool after use before storing.

Campervans and caravan cookers should be safety tested and should contain fully working fire extinguishers.

There should be no open fires anywhere on the festival site under any circumstances.

Can I bring alcohol into the festival?

Over 18s are permitted to bring alcohol in sealed containers with them to the camping area only, either from their personal belongings or from the Brewery Tap Shop.

Any alcohol brought onto the festival site may only be consumed in the camping area- anyone found with their own alcohol in any other festival space (including Main Arena, Main Marquee, Courtyard and Walkers Bar) will have it confiscated. Repeat offenders will be ejected from the festival.

Alcohol purchased from the Main Bar or Brewers Bar & Cocktail lounge must be consumed within the Main Arena only.

Can I get online during the festival?

Part of the FyneFest charm is the escapism of disconnecting for a couple of days – the festival does not offer WiFi and there is limited phone signal (EE and Vodafone being the only networks to have coverage).

In the event of an emergency requiring internet or phone, please contact a member of staff who will be able to give you access to a wired connection or landline.

Do I need to bring cash or can I use my card?

We recommend bringing along a some cash . You can purchase tokens or merch using a card, and get cashback from any card sales point, but there will be a small surcharge (£1 per transaction) and a peak times cashback may not be available.

What shouldn’t I bring to FyneFest?

Do not bring weapons, fireworks, illegal substances or legal highs to the festival – anyone caught in possession any of the listed items, or using any of the items, will be ejected from the festival.

Can I bring my dog to FyneFest?

Yes! We love canine pals!

Following a review of dogs at FyneFest policy with local authorities, a number of new measures have been introduced to better ensure all people and dogs can enjoy the festival comfortably. These measures include registering your dog in advance of the festival and agreeing to adhere to the rules collated in the Dog Owners’ Charter.

For more information – please visit the Dog Registration page of the FyneFest website.

How much is the beer and food?

FyneFest operates on a token system, each token usually representing a third or a half a pint of beer, depending on the beer’s strength, rarity and style. Some stronger or rarer beers may require two tokens for a half or third of a pint.

Tokens prices for the festival will be £1.90, the same as 2018.

Food prices are set by the vendors, but typically main dishes are around £7.

Is the festival family-friendly?

The FyneFest team take pride in the festival’s inclusive, family-friendly status, and offer free tickets to under 13s and £10 tickets for 13-17 year olds. A program of entertainment will be available for children throughout the weekend. Check out the What’s On/Activities page for full information close to the festival.

Under 18s should be accompanied at all times by a responsible adult and will not be allowed to bring alcohol into the event or consume it on the festival site.

If bringing young children to the festival, we recommend the use of ear protectors to avoid hearing damage potentially caused by loud music.

Any issues relating to lost children should be reported to festival stewards or staff.

I forgot to buy a car park pass, can I get one on arrival?

Yes, just chuck a few quid to the attendants when you get here.

What is the entry process and what does entry include?

Your ticket(s) must be scanned on arrival at the festival site and you will be issued a pint glass (with third, half and two third markings), a wristband, a festival programme (with beer list) and your first beer token for use at the bar.

Those bringing a car will be directed to a parking space by the FyneFest team – please park exactly as instructed as space in the parking field can tight. Those bringing a campervan will also be directed where to park.

Wristbands must be displayed at all times throughout the weekend; anyone found without a wristband at any point will be ejected from the site. Pint glasses are one per person – do not break or lose your glass as we have only a small amount of replacements (which will cost the equivalent of two tokens).

Are there any rules for the festival site?

Yes, because lots of people are coming to a field to drink beer, so it makes sense to have a few rules. Basically, just be nice and everything will be great.

  • Do not climb trees or any other structures on the festival site.
  • Do not move or remove any fixtures, furniture or hay bales from the festival site (including to the camping field).
  • Do not go in the burn (water) adjacent to the festival site.
  • Do not climb over any fences or open any gates.
  • Take care at all times – the festival is a working farm and ground may be uneven in places.
  • Do not disturb any livestock or festival site neighbours.

What facilities are available on the festival site?

The FyneFest site includes toilets, fresh water points, washing up stations, rubbish points, a recycling point (glass, plastic, cardboard, crushed cans) and small number of coin-operated showers (£4).

Please respect the festival site and those sharing the campsite with you. Place all rubbish in bags and leave full bags at rubbish points located around the site, and bring all recyclable materials to the recycling point.

Is the festival suitable for those with disabilities?

Those who have special requirements or need additional assistance at the festival should contact the FyneFest team via tickets@fyneales.com prior to booking tickets.

What will the weather be like?

Being a Scottish festival, we have no idea. Over the past nine years we’ve had everything from heatwaves to torrential downpours – pack clothes that can be layered, and it’s always good to bring a waterproof, but also suntan cream, sunglasses and a hat (we really have no idea).

For footwear, we recommend walking boots or wellies (it is a festival).

2018 was a particularly bad year for midgies and some attendees elected to bring midge nets. They looked cool AND they didn’t get eaten.

Will there be other drinks other than beer?

Of course! The cider bar will be pouring over 35 different ciders across the weekend, while at the other end of the Main Bar you’ll find spirits, wine, non-alcoholic beers and soft drinks available to purchase. The Cocktail Teepee, new for 2019, will pour delicious cocktails all weekend.

Will there be food for those with specific dietary requirements?

Yep! Vegetarian, vegan and celiac friends need not fear – we’ve chosen our food vendors based on the variety they offer, so there will definitely be something for everyone.

How safe is the festival?

In the previous nine festivals, security has never been an issue. There is a fully-qualified stewarding team on site (in red t-shirts), whose duties include patrolling the camping field during the night, however we do recommend only bring essential valuables that can be carried with you as tents are often impossible to secure.

If you have any medical needs during the weekend, please go to the First Aid tent, adjacent to the Main Marquee.

Antisocial, illegal or aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated at the festival. Any person found doing any of the above will be immediately ejected from the festival without a refund.

What time is curfew?

Last orders in the Main Bar are 1.30am, with music concluding at 2am.

Campers should be aware there should be no excessive noise in the General Camping area (including music) between the hours of midnight and 8am and no noise in the Quiet Camping area at the rear of the site between 10pm and 8am.

What happens if I lose something or someone at the festival?

Any issues relating to lost people and children should be reported to the FyneFest security team. Similarly, any lost property should be reported to security staff. If you find any lost property, please hand it to security staff. We recommend making a note of credit and debit card details and leaving any unnecessary cards them at home to make cancellation easier in the event of any lost cards during the weekend. The festival accepts no responsibility for lost or stolen personal property.

What should I do in the event of an emergency?

Should any emergency arise, speak to a member of the FyneFest stewarding team (red shirts) as soon as possible. There will be a dedicated first aid team on site all weekend for any medical emergencies, located adjacent to the Main Marquee.

I can no longer make it to the festival, can I get a refund?

Ticket sales are non-refundable. We recommend those with spare tickets use the Fyne Ales Facebook page to resell tickets. The FyneFest team will actively monitor pages to encourage resale on these platforms where possible.

Any other disclaimers?

We strongly recommend ticket holders familiarise themselves with the festival terms and conditions.

Don’t drink and drive – Scotland’s Drink Drive limit is 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 mililitres of blood. For more information visit www.dontriskit.info

Purchasing a ticket for the event and accepting an admission wristband on entry signifies the understanding and acceptance of the festival rules. The FyneFest management team reserve the right to refuse or revoke entry of any ticket to the festival at any time without prior warning should they be in breach of any rules of the festival.

All information regarding the festival contained on this website is subject to change. In the event of major disaster or major adverse weather conditions, the festival may be rescheduled or cancelled.