T in the park tickets - a mistake?

[marie.cassells]

I've bought weekend camping tickets for T in the park for the first time. Now I'm being told it is crime ridden, violent, unsafe and generally unsuitable for a couple in their 50s. Have I made a mistake?

[Mezhyp1]

TITP is what you make of it, if you camp out of the way of the main bulk of the campsite, there's no trouble on that part, I just think it's a general rowdy scottish crowd, I've been going for the last 7-8 years and I've never seen much I'd consider unsafe or off putting. Stick to the backs of crowds and near barriers and there's no bother when watching acts either.

And stay away from the slam tent

[seumasbeathan]

TITP is what you make of it, if you camp out of the way of the main bulk of the campsite, there's no trouble on that part, I just think it's a general rowdy scottish crowd, I've been going for the last 7-8 years and I've never seen much I'd consider unsafe or off putting. Stick to the backs of crowds and near barriers and there's no bother when watching acts either.

And stay away from the slam tent

He's got it pretty much spot on, personally never had any trouble, neither has anyone I know.

A lot gets spoken about the crime at T. Very overly exaggerated.

Very little violence, people are very friendly.

[Red Day]

TITP is what you make of it, if you camp out of the way of the main bulk of the campsite, there's no trouble on that part, I just think it's a general rowdy scottish crowd, I've been going for the last 7-8 years and I've never seen much I'd consider unsafe or off putting. Stick to the backs of crowds and near barriers and there's no bother when watching acts either.

And stay away from the slam tent

Laughed at that. Great advice :-)

[Paulk2904]

Laughed at that. Great advice :-)

Not that this will help the OP but I almost got cleaned out with a flying bucky bottle in there one year at 2 in the afternoon.....so yeahh stay away from there

[devilman]

I'm nearly 50 and I still pwn mosh pits! As others have said you'll be fine. There's tossers at every festival. Most trouble is drunken idiots not in control of their faculties or people who look for it. I doubt you fit in those categories. Even then there is very little. Just be street wise with money and phones and stuff. There are pickpockets so don't make it easy for them. Look for and register for citizen T as you will be in for a more mature camping experience there. Or hire a campervan. At the end of the day it's about music and if you love that you'll have a great time.

[kezzawizz]

No, you'll be fine...I'm 40 and took my 14 year old daughter last year. We both had an AMAZING time!! Just go for Citizen T and you'll be fine. I felt totally safe the whole time, but would recommend paying extra for the Refresh area when it's available...showers and clean flushing loos totally worth it!! We're going again this year and will be going for Citizen T, great experience!!

Edited February 25, 2015 by kezzawizz

[kezzawizz]

It's quite a young crowd, but as others have said, if you make it what you want to experience, it's amazing, after all it should be about the music. Enjoy!! x :-)

[marie.cassells]

Thanks so much guys your responses are really helpful. How do I get into the Citizen T camping. Is it usually over subscribed? I considered the camper option but unfortunately the cost of hiring one and buying the camper van tickets puts it out of our league. We've been festival goers for years but usually go for smaller ones (mainly cos they're cheaper). Any other tips to make the best of this one would be greatly appreciated.

[harryomatic]

There's a section on the TITP website dedicated to Citizen T: http://www.tinthepark.com/camping/citizen-t.aspx
Keep checking, as registration will open up later. I imagine the TITP social media accounts will alert you to it opening.

As for other tips, not sure what I can recommend if you've been going to fests for years. Make sure you camp near a really obvious landmark and make your tent stick out (we use bunting in my group) so you can find your way easily. Face your tent downhill to you don't get flooded. Apart from that just keep hydrated, well fed, and have fun

[Red Day]

Thanks so much guys your responses are really helpful. How do I get into the Citizen T camping. Is it usually over subscribed? I considered the camper option but unfortunately the cost of hiring one and buying the camper van tickets puts it out of our league. We've been festival goers for years but usually go for smaller ones (mainly cos they're cheaper). Any other tips to make the best of this one would be greatly appreciated.

There's always the option of staying away from the actual festival camping. Appreciate it's a new location this year but lot of folks used the campsite in Milnathort when it was Balado. Worth checking if any locals at new venue are offering camping facilities. I was at the first T so you'll understand that as one of the more senior T goers I had bugger all intention of using the campsite. Our group stayed with the same couple since 1998 and the last few years visiting them was better than the festival. Check out B&B's and see if there's anything available.

I did walk through campsite one year I had a camping ticket and it wasn't for me.

[mattrik3]

You're more likely to see a fight amongst the youngsters trying to get to the front of Avicii than you are in the Slam tent

[worried mum]

My 16 year old wants to go with friends,,, I have just seen the reports of drugs and stabbings,,, Is it really safe for a group of unaccompanied 16yr olds camping there? Really not happy now...

[seumasbeathan]

My 16 year old wants to go with friends,,, I have just seen the reports of drugs and stabbings,,, Is it really safe for a group of unaccompanied 16yr olds camping there? Really not happy now...

There is a lot of drugs at T in the Park, not going to lie about that, but people are usually very friendly, nobody gets forced to do drugs. So as long as you trust your child then they should be fine.

As for stabbings, I'm pretty sure the last stabbing at T in the Park was 2008 and other than that I have never really heard of stabbings. You will get a few fights here and there, but generally if you don't get involved you will be fine.

[Mezhyp1]

My 16 year old wants to go with friends,,, I have just seen the reports of drugs and stabbings,,, Is it really safe for a group of unaccompanied 16yr olds camping there? Really not happy now...

I went to my first TITP when I was 14, and went unaccompanied at 16, and have been going since, you would have to go out your way to get drugs, it's not really an open free-for-all obviously, but it would be stupid to deny it, as for the stabbings, the stories you hear are usually exaggerated and myths, I've never seen anything more than a light scuffle in about 10 years

If you let them go, tell them to get to know their neighbours when they are camping, and stay away from the campsites nearest the entrances, they'll have a great time!

[harryomatic]

Went to my first T aged 16 aswell. Agree with Mezhyp, things do happen, but get exaggerated. The only thing I've personally come across to do with drugs was in 2012. Some random asked me if I had any weed, I said no, he said ok and walked away.

So long as he's a sensible guy, sticks with his friends, and gets to know his neighbours, he'll be just fine.

[taylorswift]

Stuff is very exaggerated, I've been going unaccompanied by any adults since I was 15 and always felt safe and had a friendly atmosphere, the only time I've ever been offered anything from a stranger was laughing gas and that was just the once a couple of years ago, no stabbings either, if there are any fights it's not just for general rowdiness only if you choose to get involved/started it. I'd say they would be fine but it obviously also depends on how they'll behave themselves too

[Cammers]

I agree with what has been said on here already;

This will my first time at T but for any festival I would just say be friendly to your neighbours and be sensible with your belongings - simple things like not shouting to your mate, asking if he has taken his money with him or not (seen it happen A LOT!).

If you don't go looking for trouble you more than likely won't get any.

I've been to 9 festivals so far and the only time I have seen a fight is when an overweight idiot decided to disregard all mosh pit etiquette and throw a young girl on to the floor.