The festival runs from Saturday 20 May - Sunday 28 May and tickets are still on sale. The full programme features the very best in traditional and contemporary music and there are some excellent events happening within the Fringe Festivals.

The highlight of the fifth festival will be the landmark centenary concerts presented by Glenfiddich on the lawns of The Westin Turnberry Resort over three nights with Katherine Jenkins and Nicky Spence with The Orchestra of Scottish Opera on Friday 26th May, Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra with vocalists Sam Brown & Ruby Turner on Saturday 27th May and for the third evening Phil Cunningham, Karen Matheson and Eddi Reader with the RSNO before a fireworks finale.

Festival audiences will be able to see some of Scotland’s finest musical talents with Ayrshire’s very own Drive by Argument, along with The Fratellis supporting one of Scotland’s most successful bands ever with a 20 year career; The Proclaimers.

For the second year the AyrTown Hall will be transformed into the stylish Festival Club with a full programme running from Thursday 25th May to Sunday 28th May. It opens with The Robert Burns Humanitarian Dinner, honouring the actions of an exceptional individual who in the last year has put humanitarian concerns above all others.

Highlights of the Fringe Festival include; an evening of excellent music with Scottish sensations the River Detectives at Wellingtons Bar, Ayr; Scottish traditional music from The MaCalmans, Scotland's foremost folk song trio performing in the beautiful Music Room of the 18th century Oswald Hall; ‘Blues an' a' That!’ is held at the Abbotsford Hotel in Ayr and features Scottish Blues legend and star of Braveheart Tam White accompanied by Fraser Speirs; and International singing star Fiona Kennedy performs a wonderful programme of traditional and contemporary song at the elegant twelfth century Blair House.

For those who want a change from the music scene there are; Whisky tastings hosted by Robbie's Drams and Dalmore Distillery with informative chats & tutored tastings; the Clyde Valley HOG are holding their first rally of the season in Ayr. Watch hundreds of Harley Davidson motorbikes as they ride through the centre of Ayr; and a guided family walk with storyteller Rosie Mapplebeck exploring the love affair between Robert Burns and Highland Mary.

For further information visit www.burnsfestival.com.
Karen Leithead, External Relations Executive, Tel: 01750 23818, Email: Karen.Leithead@visitscotland.com.