Woman who went into labour at music festival returned to enjoy the rest of the event with new born baby
A mother who went into labour during a music festival in the Scottish Highlands made sure to return and enjoy her weekend after giving birth.
Kate MacMillan, 28, had made the journey to Belladrum Tartan Heart festival, near Inverness, alongside her partner Darren Redmond, 40, and their two children Seumas, four, and Peigi, two in the weeks leading up to her due date.
After arriving at the 25,000 capacity music festival, Kate and her family began enjoying the live music together, however, it wasn't long before the mum began to experience contractions.
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"We went on Thursday afternoon and planned to camp but as the day went on I felt things were happening," Kate recalled.
"We went to the arena then Darren came back with a beer and I told him he wasn’t taking me seriously and we’d have to leave for the hospital."
The family swiftly departed the festival and dropped the two children off with their grandparents before heading on to the hospital.
Kate went on to deliver her third child - a healthy son named Cailean - around two hours after departing the festival.
"He wasn’t due for another couple of weeks and I was late with the other two so I wasn’t expecting him early," Kate added.
Now you'd think that after the drama of childbirth, Kate would be hopping to put her feet up and have some time to rest.
However the mum-of-three had other plans and headed straight back to the festival for the rest of the weekend.
"In the morning after the baby was born I didn’t want the kids to be disappointed and the weather was nice so I decided to go back and enjoy the rest of the weekend," she revealed, adding that Deacon Blue, one of her favourite bands, were scheduled to take to the stage.
"Going back to the festival it was all a blur and it was such a nice atmosphere and the kids had a great time."
Kate did not camp, however, with the new mum heading home with the newborn while Darren entertained the older children at the campsite.
"The baby was fine and it was a novelty for everybody and a lot of people stopped to see the baby," Darren said.
"We were all a bit shell shocked by Monday and it’s still hard to believe the whirlwind, but thanks to the amazing nature and spirit of the festival we were comfortable knowing we could come back to enjoy it, even with a baby less than 24 hours old."
Belladrum festival have since responded to the family's story, with spokesperson Dougie Brown revealing that tickets for next year's festival are on the house.
"Family has always been at the heart of Belladrum and we have prided ourselves over the years in offering entertainment for all ages from babes-in-arms to great grandparents and everyone in between." he said.
“Callan definitely has to be our youngest ever attendee and we can't wait to welcome him and his family back to Bella for many years to come, tickets are on us for 2025!”
Brenna Cooper