Unicorns may not be the first thing you associate with a music festival, but for the Knockengorroch family who run the World Ceilidh festival, it makes total sense. Read on to find out why.

Set in a tranquil glen complete with meandering river, nestled amongst the grand hills of the Southern Uplands, the World Ceilidh festival brings great roots music from across the world to a magical part of Galloway.  As one of the first greenfield festivals in Scotland, this year the festival enjoys its 20^th year of existence.

Featuring Jamaican reggae icon Max Romeo; Cuban daughter of Buena Vista Social Club founder La Dame Blanche; Manchester hip hop outfit Mouse Outfit; Scots Trad Music Awards Live Act winners, 2015 RURA; Glasgow based international superstars Mungos Hi Fi Sound System; the absurdly talented Scott Wood Band; multi-media duo Filastine, presenting an audio-visual feast of future bass music from Jakarta and Brooklyn via Barcelona; the infamous, home grown, driving sounds of Awry providing the Ceilidh dance, plus many many more acts, the festival is adept at programming the latest international club and dance sounds alongside traditional and folk music from across Scotland and beyond – leading to an extremely diverse, multi-generational and well rounded party!

Every good party deserves a dress up theme and Knockengorroch does not disappoint, this year encouraging everyone to dress up as a unicorn and break the Guinness Book of Record for the highest number of the animals in one place!  Early references to the creature by Greek historians date back to the 4^th century BC. They are found in Chinese, Indian and Middle Eastern historical and mythical sources.  As a truly multi-cultural beast, and yet the national animal of Scotland their relevance to the World Ceilidh becomes more evident.

Keen historian and Knockengorroch resident Simon Holmes has named every venue at the World Ceilidh festival after careful research into the history of the area. The site of Knockengorroch once housed a large village and the festival re-creates a community each year that goes beyond those four days to all year round.

Friends greet each other, families are made, weddings take place, children have been brought up coming to Knockengorroch.  The secluded nature of the site leads to a special atmosphere. People feel more open, the music is giddier, the dance moves wilder.  What better place to free the unicorn?

World Ceilidh festival takes place 25 to 28 May in Dumfries and Galloway. For the full line-up and to purchase advance tickets go here: www.knockengorroch.org.uk