FAQs

There will be fully accessible toilets in two areas of the arena, some at the entry to the accessible viewing platform and also at the food and drink area.

Blue badge parking is at the woodland centre close to the arena with a hard standing road to the arena gates.

Registered assistance dogs are the only animals allowed in the arena.

Please note some of the music performances may include strobe lighting.

Folding camp chairs are permitted in the arena. However, please note that there is a designated area for them in the Big Top Tent and they are not permitted outside of this area. Should any area within the arena become busy you may be asked to put your chair away. If you have accessibility requirements where you feel you require the chair, we ask that you explain this to the person asking you to take your chair away and the team will try and find a solution or a new location where you can use your chair. The health and safety of our patrons is paramount.

Midnight Sun Weekender offers the following bookable accessible facilities:

A complimentary personal assistant ticket

A car parking space in the accessible car parking for blue badge holders.

A disabled viewing platform pass (for Main Stage) and 1 for a Personal Assistant.

To request access to the viewing platform please email: sales@midnightsunweekenderstornoway.com

We offer a complimentary ticket for Personal Assistants (PAs), requiring supporting documentation from the accessible ticket holder in order to issue. Accepted forms of supporting documentation include the below and must show your full name:

DLA

PIP

Blue badge parking & photo ID

Medical professionals letter

Nimbus Access card

D/deaf or blind registration

War Disablement Pension

Armed Forces Independence payment

CredAbility Access Card

Please contact us if you do not have any of these forms of documentation and wish to discuss this further. Please email custcare@skiddle.com to apply for PA tickets.

The site is a parkland site with varying topography and ground conditions so an all-terrain wheelchair or pushchair will be required.

We are predominantly an open-air event and weather conditions can dramatically affect the ground conditions, so make sure to check the forecast ahead and consider preparations you may need to make and any extra equipment that may be necessary.

Please let us know in advance if you plan to bring medication with you and we will make arrangements.

Welcome to Midnight Sun Weekender. As ever, we want to make sure everyone is able to come and join in the fun of the festival. This information is here to help you have the best weekend possible.

If you still have questions after reading these notes, please contact us at sales@midnightsunweekenderstornoway.com . You can also give us feedback or suggestions to help improve facilities for future years, we are always happy to take suggestions.

Site Layout and Ground Conditions

Like many festivals; our main arena is a green field site. There are some paths and trackway is used to give you smoother access to the viewing area within the mainstage Big Top. The site can be challenging to move around for wheelchairs or those with walking or mobility difficulties, especially in wet weather. Please take this into consideration when deciding on what equipment to bring with you.

You can access the Accessible Viewing Platform (AVP) within the mainstage area and wheelchair accessible toilets are close-by and accessible via trackway, without crossing grassy ground. We have assistants on hand at the AVP main stage, who will do their best to help you.

Toilets

Chemical toilet units, designed for access for wheelchair users, are provided near to the viewing platform entrance area. These are reserved for festival goers with access needs, so there is seldom a queue. There is also generous provision of standard toilet units on the grassed area of the site.

Medical Services and Assistance at the Event

There will be full onsite facilities including a first aid tent with paramedic standby and first responders.

Use of lighting

Flicker, laser, strobe and other lighting effects will be in use at the Main Stage.

Personal Assistant/Companion Ticket Scheme

In our commitment to make the Festival main arena accessible for everyone, we will provide ticket holders who are in receipt of disability benefits with one free ticket for a personal companion. This includes Disability Living Allowance at medium or higher rate, Attendance Allowance and Personal Independence Payments. We will ask you to kindly show us your letter confirming benefit when you collect your tickets at the Midnight Sun Box Office on the day. Thanks!

To get the free carer/companion ticket, book tickets for yourself only, please. On receiving your ticket confirmation, send an email to us at sales@midnightsunweekenderstornoway.com, headed ‘Personal Companion’ and ask us to add your caring companion details to your booking.

Do this AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE CONFIRMATION of ticket purchase and we’ll take care of the rest. When collecting your tickets, you should present a copy of your most recent entitlement letter from the Department of Work and Pensions. Thank you!

Accessible Viewing Platform

There is a Viewing Platform in the Big Top that is undercover. It provides a raised viewing area and no-crush areas for your comfort. The mainstage viewing platform can be cold, as it is beside the accessible entrance. Please bring extra clothing and/or lap blankets if this is likely to trouble you.

For the best view, you need to arrive early in the programme. Those arriving later will probably have to sit behind others. If your friend or carer is able to see from further back, or to stand during the concert, please be aware that priority is for seating at the front for other disabled people.

The Viewing Platform in the mainstage must be pre-booked. We cannot guarantee access to the platform if you have not pre-registered. We understand not everyone wishes to use these facilities but it can make your experience better.

Reserved viewing areas are solely for the use of disabled ticket-holders with one companion, subject to above conditions, and are free of charge. If required, once you have secured your tickets, email our accessible team with your booking reference requesting AVP access. We will add this booking to your ticket purchase.

Vehicle access and parking

Parking can be provided, though this is very limited and will need to be pre-booked. There will be better access for those who arrive as passengers and can be dropped off at the Accessibility Entrance. Please be aware that vehicle curfew movement will be in operation at certain times, especially when pedestrian footfall is at its peak (23:00 – 00:30).

There is a welfare area in the arena that has a safe space, with trained staff for those with hidden disabilities.

Doors open at 3pm with the first acts getting on stage at 4:30pm. Curfew of the arena is 11pm so when the final act finishes please make your way to the gates. There are fringe events in Stornoway running until 2am in An Lanntair and 4am in Stornoway town hall. Fringe events announced in March.

Yes you can. Please ensure wristbands are kept on for re-entry. You will need to return before 10pm when the gates close.

There is a catering area within the festival arena offering a wide range of food, soft drinks, teas and coffee.

Full bar facilities, soft drinks and other refreshments are available onsite. Please do not attempt to take alcohol with you to the main arena - it will be confiscated.

There are no animals allowed with the exception of registered assistance dogs.

We are unable to provide camping with tickets but there are many campsites available on the island, the closest being Laxdale Holiday Park. Read more details on accommodation on our Get Here page or VisitOuterHebrides.co.uk.