With just one week until the campsite opens for the first ever year at Strathallan Castle, T in the Park and partner agencies Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Services, NHS Tayside, Perth & Kinross Council, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and Transport Scotland have put together some top tips to ensure music fans have a fun and safe weekend.
Festival goers can use #TITPINFO over the weekend for all event updates and can log onto www.tinthepark.com/essentials for a full festival checklist and an essentials guide.
Geoff Ellis, CEO of organisers DF Concerts & events said: “We’ve got a stunning new home, incredible music, delicious food and drink and the very best entertainment. All we need now is for guests to arrive and help us ensure it’s the best house-warming party in living memory! But before everyone sets off, we need them to read the important advice from each of our partners to make sure they come prepared for the brand new site.”
Police Scotland Tayside divisional commander Chief Superintendent Eddie Smith, who is also the event commander, said: “We are looking forward to helping deliver a safe and successful T in the Park at its new home.
“I also want to reassure local residents that Police Scotland will be working hard with DF Concerts and our partner agencies to minimise disruption and create a safe environment for all.”
A new police initiative this year is a festival safety tent run by the force’s Safer Communities project, which will be located in the charities’ section of the site, where revellers can register their mobile phone free of charge in case it gets lost and obtain other advice.
Chief Supt. Smith stressed: “We want everyone to enjoy the event and have a positive experience. However, Police Scotland will not tolerate any criminality, including the carrying or dealing of drugs. My message is simple: ‘Don’t risk it’.”
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Community Safety adviser, Station Manager Stephen Wood, said: “We will have Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Community Safety Advocates at the T in the Park site on the Thursday and Friday to engage with campers to promote safe camping and highlight the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
He added: “Revellers shouldn’t use candles in or near a tent – torches are safer and cook a safe distance from the tent walls as they could easily catch fire. The service would also like to highlight the very real risk posed by carbon monoxide if a disposable barbecue is lit near or in a tent. They can give off poisonous fumes and can be lethal, even when cooling down.
“We want everyone to enjoy the festival but to do so safely and go home with some great memories from T in the Park’s first visit to Strathallan Castle.”
Says Nick Moore, Scottish Ambulance Service medical coordinator: “Look after each other at the event, don’t get isolated, drink plenty of water, dress appropriately for the weather, bring your own prescription medicines and use the facilities to keep your hands clean. With all that in mind, it’s less likely you’ll be meeting my team at the weekend!”
And finally some top tips for your perfect weekend!
- The best way to get to the festival is by using public transport. ONLY Citylink will drop you off right at the campsite entrance from 80 places around the country including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth, and Dundee. You must book tickets in advance by July 3rd – otherwise there will still be limited availability at local ticket offices on the day. For more info on the list of services, booking options and fares, visit www.citylink.co.uk and click on the T in the Park logo
- There are NO suitable walking routes to and from the festival – use available transport at all times – take a look atwww.tinthepark.com/travel. If you are being dropped off (and picked up) please follow signage to the official Pick Up & Drop Off points (PUDO’s) close to the entrances
- If you’re driving, it’s more important than ever this year that you plan your journey and leave in plenty of time. Do NOT use Sat-Nav, instead check http://www.trafficscotland.org/tinthepark for real-time traffic updates over the weekend and follow festival signage. Don’t think that you know a better route – this will only lead to you being delayed
- On arrival, only park in official car parks or your vehicle may be removed – car passes can be bought on the day
- When you get into the site, only camp within designated areas and keep the pathways and fire lanes clear
- As always, fires, barbeques and cooking stoves are not allowed but disposable barbeques can be used within the fire lanes. Never take disposable barbeques into a tent or camper van, even when they are cooling down, as they can give off deadly Carbon Monoxide
- Do not smoke in your tent – this is dangerous for you and your campsite neighbours
- The festival medical team is onsite 24/7 to support you, but no one wants to miss their favourite band due to a trip to first aid. Remember to pack any medication you need over the weekend, including prescriptions, inhalers and diabetic medicines. Plus, remember Scotland’s changeable weather. Look at the weather forecast in advance and bring appropriate clothing, footwear and also sunscreen. Remember midgie repellent too just in case!
- It’s a long weekend so pace yourself and take time out to eat and drink water – eating isn’t cheating, it makes you last longer! Alcohol can dehydrate so make use of the free water points around the site. Also make sure you wash your hands frequently or use the hand sanitizers throughout the site
- Drugs and underage drinking are illegal and will not be tolerated at T in the Park. Anyone caught in possession of illegal substances will be dealt with by the police in the same way as anywhere else in Scotland. If you’re blessed with youthful features and look younger than 25, make sure you carry a valid form of ID because you will not be served alcohol anywhere on-site without it
- So-called Legal-highs or Herbal Highs are highly dangerous and can kill. These are banned at T in the Park and anyone caught with them will be ejected from the site
- Remember that the drink drive limit in Scotland has changed. If you’re planning to drive home from the festival, think about your alcohol intake the day before. There’s no safe limit – don’t spoil your weekend
- There are new banned items this year including Selfie sticks and Nitrous Oxide aka ‘Laughing gas’ – whileFlagpoles are also now prohibited. Items like Flares, Fireworks, Laser pens, Air horns and Multi-tools can cause serious injury and are banned as usual. Anyone found with any of these dangerous items in their possession will have them confiscated and will be ejected from the site. Read the festival rules on our website for the full list of banned items http://www.tinthepark.com/essentials/festival-rules.aspx
- Leave no trace of yourself when you leave! We have the most beautiful festival site in the UK. Please look after it and each other – put rubbish in the bins provided, take your tent home and be a good neighbour. There is still time to pledge allegiance to the festival’s Citizen T manifesto www.citizent.co.uk
- Respect the environment and the wildlife by using the toilets provided. There are plenty on-site including male & female urinals, so please don’t be anti-social, use them or risk ejection from the event
- The local community in Kinross was always supportive of T in the Parkers and we want our new community in Strathallan to feel the same way. Please respect the locals and your fellow travellers when travelling to and from the event. Please don’t litter, use available toilet stops and help us show them that you really are the best audience in the world
- The security teams and the police are there to help you and everyone at the event have a good time. If you have any questions or problems, no matter how big or small, please speak to them. If you can’t contact a police officer or steward in person, you can call 999 in an emergency, 101 in a non-emergency. If you want to pass CONFIDENTIAL information ANONYMOUSLY dial CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111
- There are also Help Points in the campsite, please use them if you need any assistance, a chat or a meeting point – they are there just to help you have a better weekend
- Only bring essential items, and don’t leave anything of value in your tent. There are lockers within the campsite for you to hire to keep your belongings safe. These are available to book in advance from www.lockerhouse.co.uk – book now to avoid disappointment
- Please don’t waste water – respect the environment and make sure you turn off the tap after use and only use what you need!
- Tickets and wristbands – you need to keep your ticket at all times, and if you are camping, you need your wristband too. Checks for these will be in place all weekend and if you don’t have them, this could result in you being asked to leave the event. Please keep them safe