From 28 to 30 August 2026, the small town of Strathaven became one of Scotland's most colourful places. It hosted the Strathaven Balloon Festival – Scotland’s only hot-air balloon festival. The event took place in the award-winning Strathaven Park, which was the only Scottish park to rank among the top ten in the 2024 Green Flag Award People’s Choice.
Balloons Over Strathaven
The first balloons arrived in Strathaven on Friday, marking the beginning of a three-day celebration of aviation and family entertainment. The programme included an inaugural flight shortly after 6 p.m.
On Saturday and Sunday, the most dedicated visitors could arrive at the park at dawn, as the morning balloon launches were scheduled for around 6 a.m. Further launches took place in the evenings, shortly after 6 p.m. As with any hot-air balloon event, all flights depended on suitable weather conditions.
At 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, visitors could also watch the Sky Masters from Skydive Strathallan.
A Spectacular Evening Glow
One of the most eagerly awaited highlights of the weekend was Saturday’s Evening Glow. Shortly after 9 p.m., the illuminated balloon burners created a spectacular display of light, fire and music. The colourful balloons glowing against the dark Scottish sky provided one of the festival’s most memorable sights.
Family Entertainment in the Park
The festival offered much more than attractions in the sky. From midday on Saturday and Sunday, Strathaven Park became a lively family entertainment venue. Visitors enjoyed live music, a funfair, numerous stalls and a display of classic vehicles. Weather permitting, tethered hot-air balloons could also be seen in the arena.
Sales of souvenir programmes and voluntary donations from visitors helped support the organisation of the event and made future editions of the festival possible.
Strathaven – The Festival’s Charming Host
Strathaven itself proved to be much more than a picturesque festival backdrop. This historic market town in South Lanarkshire has retained its charming Scottish character. The ruins of Strathaven Castle overlook the town and are associated with the local legend of the “White Lady” ghost.
Another popular attraction, particularly for families with children, was the park’s famous miniature Wee Train.
The surrounding area also encouraged visitors to explore on foot. One scenic route followed the Avon Water towards the Spectacle E’e waterfall. Among the colourful wildflowers, walkers could look out for grey wagtails, dippers and, with a little luck, even otters.
The 2026 Strathaven Balloon Festival combined excitement in the skies, a friendly family atmosphere and the charm of the Scottish countryside, providing a spectacular end to the summer holidays.