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The young woman from the seemed impressed when I said (a charity fund raising event I'm involved in) would see me motorcycling 2000 miles around five countries and a whole heap of whisky distilleries, before ending up at the Belladrum Festival near Beauly.

She looked at me with some wonderment and then said: "How long is it since you've been to a festival?" There was a silence. I probably wouldn't have been so sensitive if, two days previously, a Megabus driver hadn't asked for a my bus pass, and then directed me to the special seating for disabled folk. But then, he wouldn't have done that if I hadn't been walking with a stick, and I wouldn't have been walking with a stick I, doddery fool that I am, I hadn't fallen off a kerb. While blind sober, I might add.

I'd even shaved off my beard in order to appear younger (54, since you're asking). But it didn't seem to cut much ice with this youthful journo, who was fresh from the and clearly unimpressed with my rumpled Man-at-Primark look. It was, at the very least, surprising that I should be going to an open air festival of such surpassing coolness as .

I informed her, loftily, that I had been to T in the Park every year for the past five, (except last year - the rhuematism, you know). I was a regular at Belladrum, had been at twice, once...hey, I was a groovy follower of the Caledonian festival circuit. She nodded, warily. I was obviously a bit odd.

But you know, I don't think I am. Elderly music fans such as myself turn up at all these outdoor bashes in their droves. Some (the much-missed Connect, Belladrum, the lovely wee Insider, and many more) are weighted heavily in our favour. There are soft chairs, discussions about how to claim your pension more effectively. Appearances by the likes of Starship and (only joking; though not about Starship - they were AT Belladrum two years ago).

And this year...Well, this year I find myself festival-centric for a week or two. In fact, I should have been at the new Festival near Biggar this weekend (our own Mary Ann Kennedy and Ricky Ross will) but instead will prepare for my own adventures by watching Glasto on the telly.

The following weekend, me and my son James will get the train to London and then make our way to the depths of Kent for a festival, which simultaneously provides James (19) with a chance to see some heroes of the past (Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Dr John, Richard Thompson) and suffer a simultaneous commentry from his aged parent. MY radio show will be coming, uniquely, from Royal Tunbridge Wells that day.

Then it's back north for the run-up to T in the Park, attended by numerous Morton family members this year, some of them (the younger ones) doing their best not to notice that their parents are actually around. Loads of Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Scotland activity there, too. Before the Barnard Challenge, Belladrum and, with a little luck, in September (which, I understand, is likely to have some seriously famous and seriously secret big time guests. You heard it here first).

All in all, it should be pretty good fun, if my aged legs hold out. Let the festivities begin!

Tom appeared on Good Morning Scotland today, have a listen to his festival feature:

Listen to Tom Morton Monday to Friday 1400 - 1600 and available for seven days on .