JAMES, THE HUMAN LEAGUE & CALLUM BEATTIE ANNOUNCED AS HEADLINERS FOR BELLADRUM TARTAN HEART FESTIVAL 2026
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival today unveil their highly anticipated first wave of headline artists – James, The Human League and Callum Beattie will take to the highland’s stage in 2026, to wow audiences at Scotland’s biggest ever family camping festival. Further acts will be announced throughout the year.
James, one of the most in-demand acts in Bella history – are returning to the Belladrum main stage for the first time since 2013. Consistently in the top three most requested acts by fans in our post event surveys, James celebrate their 40th birthday with a hit-busting set, spanning four decades and iconic hits including, ‘Sit Down’, ‘Laid’ and ‘Getting Away With It’.
Also celebrating a significant 45th birthday, British synth-pop pioneers, The Human League are set to bring their unmistakable sound to the Highlands for the very first time. Careering to success in 1980 with album Dare, the group have had an incredible six top 20 albums and 13 top 20 singles in the UK and had sold more than 20 million records worldwide by 2010. The Human League –led by Philip Oakey, Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley, have shaped the sound of electronic pop for more than four decades and continue to reach a new generation through the innovative sounds and songs they created in the 1980s. Their influence on both music and culture remains undeniable, with timeless anthems like Don’t You Want Me, (Keep Feeling) Fascination, Love Action (I Believe in Love) and Mirror Man continuing to resonate with fans worldwide.
Callum Beattie steps into his first-ever major festival headline slot, a moment both well-earned and deeply rooted in his connection to the Highlands and Belladrum. A Bella favourite since his debut in an unassuming afternoon Garden Stage slot in 2022, Beattie’s rise has been phenomenal with a sold-out Hydro show in Glasgow last weekend and a reputation for heartfelt performances. Belladrum has a proud tradition of supporting artists on their journey from early-stage slots to headline moments and Callum’s return to close the Thursday night is a full-circle story the festival is proud to be part of.
The pop brilliance of MIKA promises one of the most colourful and fun performances Belladrum has ever seen. Festival goers can look forward to singalongs to many of his massive hits including, ‘Relax –Take it Easy’, ‘Grace Kelly’, ‘Lollipop’, ‘Love Today’, ‘Happy Ending’ and many more.
Festival organiser, Dougie Brown comments, “We’re excited to share the first wave of artists for Belladrum 2026. We’ve curated a line-up that celebrates everything Bella stands for, great live music, discovery, and a strong sense of community. Having James back feels like welcoming old friends back home, and brining Callum his first-ever major headline festival slot really sums up what we’re about, growing together and being part of incredible artists journeys. With lots more announcements to come over the next few months we are looking forward to another incredible festival with the best audience in the world!”
Also joining the line-up are one of the biggest indie bands of generation Razorlight, 90’sindie-psychedelicrock band Kula Shaker, the euphoric dance experience of Symphonic Ibiza who will bring you an unforgettable fusion of iconic Ibiza dance anthems, live vocals, a sensational DJ, and an exhilarating live Orchestra; firm festival favourites Scouting For Girls, and rising Scottish soul artist Brooke Combe.
Other performers include:
– For fans of trad, folk, and Celtic fusion, 2026 will deliver in abundance with winners of live act of the year at the 2023 Trad Awards Trail West, and the Highland’s very own celtic-rockers Torridon and electronic Celtic-fusion duo Valtos in the mix.
– God of Hellfire, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, will be in attendance. His much-anticipated 2025 performance was postponed at the last minute due to illness, but his appearance next summer will be worth the wait.
– Rounding out the first announcement are crowd favourites and rising stars including Irish country music superstar Nathan Carter, Cammy Barnes who initially appeared on Britain’s Got Talent in 2023, quickly amassing half a million TikTok fans and over 4 million likes.
– Buzz act Getdown Services
– Iconic singer-songwriter Lloyd Cole
– Party-starters Colonel Mustard & The Dijon 5
– High Fade
– Kezia Gill
– The Molotovs
– Rising country music group First Time Flyers
– An Dannsa Dub
– Elias Alexander
– Beth Malcolm
– The Eves
– Rob Heron & The Teapad Orchestra
– Rhythmnreel
– Festival favourites, The Dangleberries
– Scott C Park
– Lacuna
– Scotstown Dance Band
– Bad Actress
– Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail
The diverse-as-ever musical lineup will sit alongside a packed 3-day programme that could be likened to the Scottish Glastonbury, including over 100 free family activities from wrestling shows, arts and crafts, wellbeing, theatre shows, circus skills and storytelling.
Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By Kilimanjaro Live
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival takes place from Thursday 30th July to Saturday 1st August 2026 in the beautiful surroundings of Belladrum Estate, near Beauly, Inverness-shire.
Tickets on sale now: https://tartanheartfestival.gigantic.com/belladrum-tickets
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