By Elizabeth Hunter via SWNS
A newborn has become a festival’s youngest ever attendee after a pregnant mother left in labor – and returned the very next day with her baby.
Inverness couple Darren Redmond and Kate Macmillan attended the family-friendly Belladrum festival with their toddlers, 2 and 4, whilst Kate was heavily pregnant.
After setting the tent up on July 25, the family began to explore the grounds – until Kate began having contractions.
They quickly realized their new baby was on its way – dropping their children at their grandmother’s before heading to Raigmore Hospital, where Kate gave birth to baby Callan, just two hours after leaving the festival grounds.
Kate, determined to make the most of the festival, decided the family would return to Belladrum the next day – baby Callan included.
“We had arrived around 2 p.m., and we were getting our tent organized,” said dad Darren.
“Kate had been having Braxton Hicks on and off for over a week. Although she was feeling twinges, it wasn’t until around 5:30 p.m. that things started to get intense for her.
“Kate told me we had to go, so we walked back to the car with the children and hoped the traffic was okay. We still didn’t think the baby was coming imminently at this point.
“Thankfully, the hospital was only 15 miles from the festival.
“We left Belladrum, arrived at the hospital at 6:30 p.m., and Callan was born at 7:36 p.m.!
“In the morning, I picked Kate and Callan up from the hospital, went to Gran’s for the other kids, and we were back on the festival campsite at 11:24 a.m.”
With newborn Callan sleeping away in a sling carried by Kate, the family made the most of their festival weekend, with other attendees eager to congratulate the couple.
The couple, who have been going to the festival for the past 10 years, say the family spirit of Belladrum made it an easy decision to return.
Darren and Kate say they are eager to keep up the tradition and make the festival part of baby Callan’s future birthday celebrations.
“The festival is always a highlight in our calendar, and we were comfortable going back knowing the family spirit of the festival,” said Darren.
“The children were disappointed at having to leave on the Thursday, and Kate was determined to make the most of it.
“Callan attracted a lot of attention – news spread quickly and people started to stop and congratulate us.
“People we had been camping beside said they had noticed we’d gone, and couldn’t believe we had appeared the next day with a newborn.
“Belladrum has a great setup, including specially set up tents for breastfeeding and nappy changing, which gives parents quiet space when they need it.
“We would highly recommend Belladrum to any family, regardless of age.
“It has a wonderful spirit and it’s what keeps us attending every year – but this year’s festival was one of the best.
“We’ll definitely be back – Callan would be disappointed if every birthday isn’t spent at Belladrum now!”
Darren, who described the experience as “a little surreal, but incredibly positive,” shared the story on social media – with Belladrum representatives congratulating the “youngest ever attendee.”
In a response to Darren’s post, festival organizers said: “We think this might take the award for ‘youngest ever Belladrum attendee.’
“Welcome to the Bella family, little one and congratulations from all of us.”
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