Company behind Doune the Rabbit Hole music festival enter liquidation after 'failing to pay artists'

The company behind Scotland’s largest outdoor camping music festival has entered liquidation, two months after being accused of failing to pay artists.

Doune the Rabbit Hole, which returned to the Cardross Estate in July for the first time in two years, confirmed there were “outstanding payments” still to be made to musicians who played at the event.

It has now been revealed that the company behind the festival, Doune The Rabbit Hole Festival Ltd, has entered liquidation after suffering “huge financial difficulty”.

However, the festival will relaunch under the new management of Festival Beverage and Property Services Ltd, who have “pledged” to pay outstanding payments to any artists from the summer event.

A spokesperson said: “Doune The Rabbit Hole Festival will take place on 21-23 July, 2023 under the new management of Festival Beverage and Property Services Ltd, who operated the festival in 2018 and 2019. All purchased tickets and payment plans remain fully valid.

“Doune The Rabbit Hole 2022 (and the company that ran this year’s event, Doune The Rabbit Hole Festival Ltd) suffered huge financial difficulty as a result of the pandemic, double roll-over, increased costs, and consumer confidence combining with the rising cost of living to affect ticket sales.

“The director has exhausted his own resources in trying to repay suppliers but after taking professional advice, this company has gone into liquidation. In spite of this situation, your feedback about the event told us it was a cultural and popular success worthy of sustaining.

“The new management of Festival Beverage and Property Services Ltd pledges to try to repay artists, crew and suppliers from the event in 2022 as soon as possible.

“Whilst in the process of restructuring, we are committed to preserving the atmosphere and essence of a well-loved, independent festival for future years.

“We will use your feedback to make Doune The Rabbit Hole 2023 the best and smoothest yet. We look forward to seeing you back in the field in July.”

Headliners at the Stirling festival, which ran from July 14 until July 17, included Amy MacDonald and Belle & Sebastian.

A spokesperson for the festival said that “supply chain issues” affected income levels, which did not allow it to cover the budget costs outlined for the 2022 event.

One performer, who does not wish to be named, reached out to STV to say that he had been “ignored” after contacting the festival over payment.