Szentek Moving Castle: Rave, Rain, Repeat

Greetings, St Andrews Events aficionados, from my bed. Hoodie on, covers pulled right up so that only my hands may reach out to type this article. Yes, I’m still recovering from the freezing temperatures at this year’s Moving Castle — but I’m nonetheless warmed by the weird and wonderful delights it offered.

Let me first be clear that this was not my first (Szentek) rodeo. At varying levels of sobriety, Moving Castle was a returning fixture in my subhonours years. However, with the happy days of 2000-level modules gone, I’ve found myself attending fewer and fewer events. While I would previously have been getting silly at 601, my time is eaten up trying to hit 10,000 words on my dissertation. Yet nobody should work themselves to insanity, and a single techno-tinged voice called to me from the abyss of press passes long gone: Szentek Moving Castle.

Moving Castle is an annual day rave — or, if you’re American, a ‘darty’ — which takes place on the grounds of Mains Castle, Dundee. ‘Castle’ is a generous term for what is effectively a very nice cobblestone house with some winding staircases, but it is admittedly a cool venue. As you can imagine, this castle is ‘moving’ not just as a result of attendees’ alcohol consumption. Let’s just say that drug testing kits are readily available at ticket collection. 

Despite seeming potentially seedy, Szentek is a charity endeavour. They have raised £46,000 since 2016 for Variety Scotland, which supports disadvantaged and disabled children by financing resources like wheelchairs as well as memorable experiences from theme parks to theatres and more.

As the event takes place in April, I do wonder why Szentek keeps taking the gamble of putting on an outdoor rave at one of the most volatile times of year, weather-wise. Moving Castle 2026 typified ‘false spring.’ The day before was warm and bright; whereas, the Saturday of, I felt the likelihood of developing trenchfoot creep up with every soggy step across Mains Castle’s gravel. The need for garish raincoats prevented the usual flamboyant outfits, generating comments that I looked ‘German’ — not the complimentary, Berghain-clubbing kind — but rather that which is evocative of hiker-chic. However, through the universal shivering, ravers showed out at all three of Moving Castle’s stages, nodding meditatively along and necking beers (including a pretty crisp Coors offering). All of this, of course, is viewed through the uniform black shades designed to hide the bloodshot eyes of those who have been up to no good, which, conversely, makes the wearer look even more off their rocker than before.  

It’s impressively well-disguised, but Mains Castle is a live, laugh, love wedding venue at its core, creating some humorous juxtapositions between unfortunates keeled over in the bushes and signs signalling “Welcome to Adam and Erin’s Engagement.” It’s a wonder that the castle’s owners allow this rave to ensue, as spaced-out attendees hop up its uneven spiral staircases, come dangerously close to its chandeliers, and turn its manicured lawns into a giant mudslide — but thank goodness they do. Getting to explore this historical gem hands-on reminded me again of Scotland’s beauty — even when reappropriated for raving purposes. Perhaps Szentek’s biggest draw, at least for me, is such interesting venues, which make the whole ‘darty’ experience feel surreal — an experience I can only imagine is exacerbated with a lower level of sobriety.

As a naive second-year who had never touched a pill in her life (save for the occasional paracetamol) and was unexpectedly shipped off alone to Moving Castle 2024, one aspect which I clutched at straws to analyse was the ‘Kafka-esque’ insect sculptures looming from the trees, simultaneously banging my head on the various eccentric awnings kicking about. I’m pleased to say the decoration is exactly as it was. Szentek have cultivated a certain aesthetic, at some points reminiscent of GCSE art, but which is ultimately endearing and undeniably theirs. Plus, it’s all sustainably sourced.

Despite the overall atmosphere of whimsy fostered, Szentek do not play about with their DJ choices. The lineup included Brown Excellence, Maveen, and Tim Reaper, and included a mixture of genres overall, from trance to electro to techno to funk. The standout for me was Buckfast Barbie, who not only appeared to be having a fantastic time behind the decks but blended crowd favourites with energising beats, electrifying the otherwise rather soggy courtyard stage.

Moving Castle is ultimately fun because it entails an element of play. In my notes, journalistic professionalism shines through in my astute observation that we are all cosplaying. In the real world, none of the mutual friends I encountered at the event would be caught dead sporting a balloon animal on their head, or ski goggles covering almost their entire face — the Spoiled posse simply wouldn’t allow it. It’s like how FS is a chance to play Anna Wintour, or how Hall High Tables make you feel like you’re in Harry Potter. Szentek excites the St Andrean imagination because it’s an excuse to pretend you’re somewhere a lot more edgy than the quaint Fife countryside.

Ultimately, I feel ill-equipped to give a true verdict on Szentek, as it isn’t an event catered towards a reporter with a sobriety mandate — just as it would be difficult to review a horse race without betting, or to watch a movie with your eyes shut. It is bizarre, and certainly catered towards a certain audience who won’t be going teetotal anytime soon. My main negative sentiment is that there was a clear issue with the buses, which, aiming not to be boring, I won’t nag on about, but let’s just say the taxi I ended up having to buy quite diminished how ‘complimentary’ my press pass felt. Beyond this, despite hypothermia looming, Moving Castle was a stylised success, utilising the beautiful setting of Mains Castle to fashion a playground where — with the right substances — I’m sure anything seemed possible. For those more ballsy than me, who’ll attend with more than one cider in the tank, Moving Castle serves its purpose fantastically. The rest of us will happily delight in spectating.

Photos: Alex Barnard