Festival Celebrates Its Co-Founder in Remote Galloway Location
A festival described as "in the middle of nowhere" is commemorating its vibrant co-founder this weekend.
Simon and Liz Holmes established the Knockengorroch Festival near Carsphairn in Galloway in 1998.
Following Simon's death in December of the previous year, the family contemplated cancelling the event, which coincided with one of the busiest preparation periods.
Ultimately, they chose to proceed with the festival as a tribute to Simon's life, which included extensive global travel before he settled in south-west Scotland.
He and Liz relocated to the region in 1973, purchasing Knockengorroch for the "princely sum" of £4,000.
"Although we are Londoners we feel we have fully settled into Galloway," said Liz.
Origins and Inspiration Behind the Festival
Nearly 25 years after moving to the area, the couple developed an interest in festival organization.
"We had some friends in 1997 who were scouts for what is known as the International Rainbow Gathering," Liz explained.
"It is a gathering of people from all over the world who all come together in a reasonably secret place - not a big public place - in the hills somewhere."
She characterized it as "a giant get together with a kind of spiritual element."
"It was such fun and it made us realise people would be happy to travel to what would appear to be the middle of nowhere," she said.
"In actual fact we are only an hour-and-a-half maximum from Glasgow but when you get here we are in our own glen and right away from what would appear to be civilisation."
The inaugural festival took place in 1998 with approximately 350 attendees.
"We were rank amateurs as far as festival organisation goes but when you've got a lot of enthusiasm you can overcome a lot of challenges," said Liz.
"I suppose really we haven't looked back."
Festival Evolution and Atmosphere
Initially focused on Scottish traditional music, the festival later expanded its scope.
"We pride ourselves on being one of the first greenfield festivals in Scotland to feature what are known as world music artists - I hate that term - we like to call them international artists," Liz explained.
The festival atmosphere is described as "very friendly, open."
"People like to come because they appreciate a sense of freedom."
Decision to Continue After Simon's Passing
Simon’s death prompted the family to carefully consider whether to proceed with the festival, especially given the challenges faced by small, independent events.
"We discussed at length whether we should cancel because he went just before Christmas and that's when we are meant to be in the throes of organising," said Liz.
In the end, the family resolved to continue and dedicate the festival to celebrating Simon’s life.
"If we were to cancel we could have had some kind of event later on but we thought let's dedicate this festival to celebrate his life and put on lots of innovative entertainment, new acts," said Liz.
Simon Holmes’ Life and Contributions
During his lifetime, Simon traveled extensively, visiting countries such as Iraq, Syria, and North Africa.
"He was mercurial with huge enthusiasm and knowledge on a range of subjects - particularly the history of the area around Knockengorroch," Liz said.
He invested considerable energy into the festival’s development.
"In the early days he did everything," she said.
"He would be wandering round the site telling everybody where everything should go."
Simon traditionally delivered a speech on the festival’s final night, expressing gratitude to attendees and commenting on global events.
"We may project his last speech on the Sunday night," said Liz.
"That was, for regulars, a highlight for them - it used to make some people cry."
Memorial Plans and Legacy
A memorial will be created featuring a stone collected from the summit of nearby Cairnsmore of Carsphairn.
"We are going to go up and collect a stone - as large as we can manage," said Liz.
"People are being asked to bring a stone from wherever they are coming from and place it round the memorial stone which I think reflects Simon's love of travel."
The family hopes Knockengorroch will continue for many years.
"Having a festival on our land meant the land was being looked after," said Liz.
"Stewardship of the land was important to Simon."
