Kirriemuir charity behind Bonfest set to take over former pub
The Kirriemuir music charity behind Bonfest is set to take over a former pub in the town. DD8 Music will move into the former Attic Pub in St Malcolm’s Wynd – which they will use alongside their current premises on the Bellies Brae.
The aim is to give them more space for projects, including Bonfest, the annual celebration of former AC/DC frontman Bon Scott, but also to host monthly gigs showcasing local and other young talent.
Until recently, the venue has been used as a general pub and more recently as a music venue, but closed a few months ago.
DD8 Music was formed in 2006 to provide a safe environment for local young people to make music and learn the art of recording, editing and mixing. It has gone from strength to strength and in 2017 was officially given the status of a charity.
The group has inspired hundreds of youngsters to get involved in music and to go to university or higher education in pursuit of a career in the music industry.
Bonfest now attracts thousands of fans from across the globe, and the group was behind the successful £50,000 campaign to site a statue of the rock icon in the town.
Scott Ferguson, charity manager, says that they have been looking for new, bigger premises for some time. The charity currently occupies the old RAF museum on the Bellies Brae, which it will continue to use.
He said:
“We have a very busy programme and a lot of projects on the go and our premises are small and space has become an issue for us.
“The move to The Attic will be a really good one for us and allow us to expand what we do.”
He said it will give them more space for work and gigs related to Bonfest and will also give them the opportunity to put on more music gigs in general.
He said:
“Our aim is to hold an event around once a month with different bands – local and from further afield.
We have a stage space at The Attic so we can use this to give our young people the opportunity and experience of playing on a stage in front of an audience – that would be a really big bonus for us.
“We are aiming to create a pathway here for the young people that come to us to gain access to taking part in performances.”
He said that since he announced the plans, there has been a lot of support from the community.
He added:
“People have been coming to us with possibilities and ideas and we are keen to get more young people than ever interested in music.
“Also, we need to fund the building by holding events and gigs where we can generate income.
“We have hundreds of ideas and this new building will help us achieve those.”
Scott said that currently the charity supports around 300 young people a year with about 500 music sessions, including projects in Forfar and Arbroath.
This article appeared in the Courier on 22 July 2026