LISTEN: New Music Festival For The Highlands

The Highlands is set to host a new major music festival this summer.

Plans for the Aviemore stopover were revealed today after months of planning.

It's a special one-off festival spearheaded by indie-folk act, Mumford & Sons.

The band will headline 2 days of entertainment on the site at the Dell of Rothiemurcus.

The music and arts extravaganza takes place on 31st July and 1st August.

MFR Reporter Derek Ferguson speaks with promoter Robert Hicks about the Aviemore Stopover...

Promoter Robert Hicks: "We’re overwhelmed that Mumford & Sons have chosen the Highlands, and in particular Aviemore as the only UK and indeed, European leg of their touring Stopover Festival.

"The Aviemore Stopover is an unique opportunity for the Badenoch & Strathspey area and the Highlands as a whole to shout about what an incredible place we live in.

"Being announced alongside Stopovers being staged across the US and Australia bringing us a truly global audience.

This is a real highlight for me and the Beyond team, having worked with Mumford & Sons since they toured the Highlands back in 2009 and numerous times since"

Johnnie Grant of Rothiemurchus: “We are very flattered that Mumford and Sons have chosen Rothiemurchus and Aviemore for the UK leg of their Stopover tour, and we’re looking forward to welcoming them and their fans to this special part of the world.

“It’s a pleasure to be able to provide the Dell of Rothiemurchus for this Concert.

It will be a great opportunity for the people of Badenoch and Strathspey to make new friends from around the world.

"We’re particularly grateful to the members of the Rothiemurchus team who have managed to keep a secret in advance of the launch.”

It's hoped as many as 25,000 revellers will turn out over the weekend.

Tickets go on sale ON Friday.

It comes after organisers for Rockness pulled out of staging the event for the 2nd year in a row.