Mum returns to music festival with newborn 18 hours after going into labour

A Highland mum says she wanted to make the most of quality family time after she went into labour at a music festival then returned to the event with her newborn.

Kate MacMillan started getting contractions on the first day of the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, near Beauly last month.

The nurse and her partner Darren Redmond travelled to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, dropping their two kids off at their Granny's house on the way,

Baby Callan was born just after 7:30pm on July 25th, just two hours after leaving the Highlands biggest music event.

Kate and little Callan were keen to return the festival, and joined fellow revellers less than 24 hours after she gave birth.

Callan's now become the festival's youngest ever fan.

Speaking to us, Kate explained how she wasn't expecting to go into labour a week early with Callan, after being overdue with her other two children Seamus and Peggy.

She said: "An early labour wasn't on my radar.

"We thought it was probably just Braxton Hicks and that it would die down.

"So we had a look around the arena, see what was on offer at Belladrum.

"Darren decided to go off and get a beer and I said 'Oh I don't think that's a good idea if you drink that as I think we're going to have to head!'

While many woman would quite rightly want a well earned rest after giving birth, Kate explained why she and her family went back to Bella 18 hours after initially getting contractions.

Kate added: "Partly because the kids were so disappointed about leaving on the Thursday.

"The weather was nice over the weekend and just wanted to make the most of it.

"I was feeling ok, although looking back I was probably just running of adrenaline.

"It was fine at the time, I felt a bit broken come Monday, but we had a nice weekend.

"Having been to Belladrum before, we knew it was family friendly and we wouldn't have any issues and we were only 15 minutes from home."

Although dad Darren, Seamus and Peggy opted to camp at the festival on Friday and Saturday, Kate and Callan decided sleeping at their Muir of Ord house was the best bet for his first gig!