Thousands party at Connect festival (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Thousands party at Connect festival

10:38pm Friday 29th August 2008 in

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Thousands of music fans partied at a Scottish castle as the Hydro Connect festival got under way.

Around 15,000 campers made their way to Inveraray Castle on the banks of Loch Fyne, Argyll.

Now in its second year, the festival, billed as a "truly boutique affair", features Franz Ferdinand, Welsh rockers The Manic Street Preachers and US experimental group Mercury Rev.

Paolo Nutini, Spiritulized, The Gossip and Icelandic band Sigur Ros are also performing at the beauty spot.

Two stages compete for attention alongside the Unknown Pleasures tent featuring appearances from Karl Bartos, of German electro pioneers Kraftwerk, and Sparks.

Organisers played up the location - around 60 miles from Glasgow - as much as the music.

Locally sourced food, including world-famous Loch Fyne oysters, is being promoted alongside a dedicated whisky tent.

Anyone hoping to escape the mud of the campsite, just yards from the Duke of Argyll's home, can unwind at a spa offering massage and beauty treatments on site.