Rockness fans brave the rain
MUSIC fans raved on the banks of Loch Ness despite one some of the worst weather Rockness have faced since the festival was launched.
Around 35,000 people descended on the Dores festival site for a weekend packed with chart-topping acts like Paolo Nutini, Kasabian, the Chemical Brothers and Two Door Cinema Club.
Most refused to be left out in the cold and took to the fields despite downpours, gales and a thick fog which wrapped itself around the site on Sunday afternoon.
Returning to its dance roots, RockNess landed a variety of acts from newcomer rapper Example to hip-hop legend DJ Shadow’s first Scottish gig in four years.
Last years rock acts, such as the Strokes, Doves and Vampire Weekend, were replaced with UK dance favourites Simian Mobile Disco and Jamie XX.
Paisley-born Paolo Nutini closed the weekend to a joyous crowd as he performed a host of classics such as Pencil Full of Lead and Jenny Don’t be Hasty.
There was a welcome return to the stage made by seasoned acts such as the Chemical Brothers who headlined the Saturday show and were preceded by London garage star Ms Dynamite.
The former Mecury prize winner returned to the stage after a six year absence after a horrific car crash almost ended her life.
Dynamite, real name Niomi Arleen McLean-Daley, was racing at Silverstone when her car was clipped on the home straight by AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson in 2006.
The singer, who has won two Brits and three Mobos, suffered bruising on the brain and long-term memory loss.
Police, ambulance and fire crews reported a quiet weekend at RockNess despite a rise in the number of recorded drug seizures.
There were 243 positive drugs searches over the duration of the event, three of which were in relation to drug dealing offences.
Northern Constabulary had a total of 11 reported crimes over the weekend for offences including breach of the peace, assault and theft which is slightly reduced in comparison to last year.
Event Commander, Stevie Mackay said: "On the whole it has been a largely positive event.
"We had slightly higher numbers of people attempting to take drugs into the event, which is disappointing given the warning messages we issue prior to RockNess, but these numbers are still low when looking at the numbers that attended and we worked hard to reduce the amount of drugs available at the event."
Event Medical Commander, Iain MacKay of the Scottish Ambulance Service said: "It has been a very good weekend with no serious medical incidents.
"We’ve managed to reduce the numbers taken onwards to Raigmore Hospital for medical attention to 14 people, the majority of which for treatment to injuries.
"The total number of people treated on site was 533, which is similar to last year, 288 of which were treated in the field hospital."
