Jim Jefferies, Dylan Moran head up RockNess comedy

HEARD the one about the Scottish music festival with the star-studded comedy lineup? The RockNess Festival, held at Dores, near Loch Ness has managed to snap up acerbic charmer Jim Jefferies and Irish funnyman Dylan Moran to headline its comedy festival, backed up by a raft of the UK’s top comics.

Jim Jefferies is headlining RockNess Comedy - his only Scottish date in 2013. Picture: Getty

Festival director Jim King said he was ‘honoured’ that Jefferies had agreed to play in Dores, adding: “This is a great announcement of the very best from the Scottish comedy circuit including some really must-see breakthrough acts.”

Jefferies, who hails from Australia, was one of the most popular acts at the Edinburgh International Festival in 2012, with a month-long, sold-out run of his critically acclaimed show ‘Hammered.’ His appearance at RockNess is one of only two British dates this year - and the only one in Scotland.

Joining him is sardonic comedian Dylan Moran, famous for the Bafta-winning CHannel 4 series Black Books and his work on zombie spoof Shaun of the Dead. The Perrier Award-winner has also won acclaim for his stand-up shows including Monster and Like, Totally.

Irish comic Dylan Moran

The comedians flying the flag for Scotland in their home country include rising star Daniel Sloss, Capital Breakfast’s Des Clarke, Janey Godley and Mark Nelson.

Sloss, still only aged 22 but with a host of television and live appearances under his belt has gained praise for his self-deprecating material, and a meteoric rise that has seen him write material for fellow Scot Frankie Boyle.

Godley, once referred to as ‘the most outspoken female stand-up in Britain’, makes her RockNess debut, on the back of the release of her autobiography ‘Handstands in the Dark,’ in which she documented a childhood of abuse growing up in heroin-addled 1980s Glasgow.

Also appearing on the bill after an 11-year hiatus from the comedy circuit is Janey’s daughter Ashley - expect similar dark comedy from the younger Godley, who is also making her debut at the festival.

Upcoming comedian Mark Nelson, known for his near-the-knuckle material, won the inaugural Scottish Comedian of the Year, which he supplemented with a sold out Fringe debut

King added: “The comedy programme has been a brilliant addition to the festival and its gone from strength to strength.

“We’re really honoured that Jim Jefferies has chosen RockNess as the only gig he’s doing in Scotland this year, and one of only two for the whole of the UK. Dylan Moran will go down a storm too for sure.

“The Comedy Arena is going to be the place to grab a drink, kick back and have a few laughs.”

• For more information and the full lineup, go to www.rockness.co.uk