Keith Etherington, In Control Scotland and Michael McEwan, Stay Up Late Scotland will be joined by the festival's founders John Dalrymple and Frances Brown to give a very warm welcome to everyone on the first day of the festival.  Keith and Michael will also be providing and insight and introduction to all the fantastic programme slots throughout the day........

Felix After the Rain is a book that explores emotion and was written by Dunja Jogan. This multisensory version included people with profound and multiple and was created for the Edinburgh International Book Festival.  This story offers people the chance to think about, talk or draw their feelings following the video.

Bill Scott is chair of the Poverty and Inequality Commission which was established from 1 July 2019. It is an advisory non-departmental public body which provides independent advice and scrutiny to Scottish Ministers on poverty and inequality.

Steph Macleod is a singer-songwriter from Scotland. He has a passion for people, for God and for hope;  Steph tries to bring them closer together by sharing his experiences through songs and music.  Gold’ is the 3rd studio album from the internationally acclaimed singer songwriter, 

The new 10 track album draws inspiration from Steph’s own recovery and features an eclectic range of musical styles including Folk, Americana, Rock, Celtic and Electronica.

We want people with learning disabilities to have choice and support if needed to have a good social life, and this includes being able to Stay Up Late! 

Join us for an evening of live and pre-recorded music with a wide range of artists and styles from the UK, Ireland and the US.  Live music includes Alaine from the Well Happy Band, the amazing Fionnathan from Ireland, Sam, Maggs and Gareth Lynch from Scotland, plus so much more.  It’s like a festival in a festival!  Be warned.  You may need to stay up late.

Young Scotland’s Got Talent (YSGT) was set up in 2010 to lobby for better employment support for people with learning disabilities and individuals on the autistic spectrum who want to work. Since then we have delivered over 20 events throughout Scotland. On 29 July we delivered our first online YSGT to honour young people with additional needs who have bee working on the frontline throughout lockdown. We will be featuring throughout the week some of the highlights from the event.

Vivien Scotson is a fabulous Scottish Singer and Songwriter, from East Ayrshire.  Her genre of music is Folk, Alternative Folk, Country and she has released a studio album ‘I Can Hear the Wind Blow’ Recently Vivien has regularly been played on the BBC Radio Scotland “Iain Anderson Show”. 

Heading up his 4 piece band the London via Sweden singer-songwriter and guitarist, Axel Jansson delivers an eruption of hook-heavy, rhythmic melodies paired with the unrestrained raw essence of early rock, often garnering comparisons to Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty but it’s his expressive and unusual voice that really sets him apart.

Two young disabled people making their way in the world of business and the business of life.  Danielle and Michael swap stories and experiences of the sometimes oppressive diversions along the way.

Gig Buddies Scotland enables people with a learning disability to get out to more events and enjoy the social life they choose. It does this by paring members with a volunteer who shares the same interests as them. 'Gig Buddies' then choose which events they go to each month and enjoy their shared passion together. Gig Buddies also runs a number of regular social events that anyone is welcome to come along to. Check the latest newsletter to see what events are coming up.