Independent music festivals generated more than £135m to the economy this summer, according to new research carried out by the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF).

A survey of 3,300 visitors to AIF festivals - including Secret Garden Party, WOMAD and the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival - revealed that people contributed an average of £48 per person to local economies. Visitors to the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival in Inverness-shire in north Scotland spent an average of £63 per person according to the research, which doesn't include money spent on tickets or travel.

Paul Bush, EventScotland chief operating officer, said: "Belladrum is cultivating quite a reputation among festival goers as one of the best on offer in a jam-packed diary of summer music events. "This year's event was a sell-out and a massive success attracting more than 12,000 music lovers to the Highlands. We look forward to seeing another successful festival next year and to seeing the very real and tangible benefits the festival brings to Scotland."