Scotland’s Doune The Rabbit Hole to return after past owner racked up £1million debt and failed to pay artists

Scottish festival Doune The Rabbit Hole has announced its return – just two years after its cancellation.

• READ MORE: Why have so many UK festivals been cancelled or postponed?

The annual multi-day festival held in Menteith was originally cancelled in 2023, after entertainment union Bectu called for a boycott against the festival. Festival organiser Jamie Murray reportedly owed over £1million on debt and failed to appropriately pay artists from its previous 2022 edition.

Headliners Belle and Sebastian were one of many that hit out at the festival, where a representative for the band claimed “the event owes the band significantly more.” They added that “the event should not have any tickets on sale for 2023 until 2022’s performers have been paid – which has not happened”.

In a statement, Doune The Rabbit Hole blamed “the pandemic, double roll-over, increased costs, and consumer confidence combin[ed] with the rising cost of living to affect ticket sales” for its financial woes.

Now, it appears the festival is set to make its return next year, with the organisers taking to Facebook to share the news. “Doune the Rabbit Hole will be returning to Cardross Estate under new management on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of August 2025 as ‘Back Doune the Rabbit Hole’,” they wrote.

They added the festival was now being organised by musician Brian Harkin, along with new management team Rock Artist Management.

“Back Doune the Rabbit Hole is returning to its roots—celebrating music, community, and culture with fresh energy and new twists,” they added. “Get ready for a weekend of great tunes, delicious food, and experiences for all ages. With an exciting lineup on the way, blending new talent and legendary acts, there will be something for everyone!”

Tickets currently aren’t available to purchase for the festival just yet.

In a report shared by the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) this May, it was shown that 40 UK festivals have been cancelled for this summer.

Additionally, over 170 festivals have disappeared over the past five years.

In an NME investigation exploring the wave of festival closures, Barn On The Farm co-manager Oscar Matthews said of their decision to take a fallow year: “COVID had a severe impact on so many different sectors on so many different ways, and there needs to be a short-to-mid-term support package in place for festivals and events in terms of a reduction in the VAT rate on ticket sales.

“That gives all of us the opportunity to realign and readjust to how the market has changed over the last two years since COVID.”

The news follows on the heels of the UK’s longest-running independent festival Towersey and its shuttering, Herefordshire’s Nozstock Hidden Valley, Dumfries’ Doonhame Festival and Nottingham’s Splendour.

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