Two outdoor festivals could be launched in the north-east, bringing tens of thousands of music lovers to the area.
Banff and Inverurie could play host to the events, which would mirror existing favourites Belladrum, Loopallu and Hebcelt.
It is hoped the festivals – which will complement each other – would boost the local economy by millions.
In Banff, the aim is to host a music festival in the grounds of Duff House.
Inverurie has already hosted a number of small outdoor music events at Davidson Park although a location for an expanded event has not yet been mooted.
Talks are still at an early stage, but Roger Goodyear – organiser of the hugely popular Portsoy Boat Festival and a board member of Visit Aberdeenshire – said the idea was a massive opportunity for the north-east.
Around 18,000 people attended the boat festival last year, generating around £1million for the local economy.
Mr Goodyear pointed out that the infrastructure is already in place to support large crowds, and that since Banff is bigger, it was an obvious choice.
Mr Goodyear – who was made an MBE for services to tourism last year – said a variety of music would be considered including classical, Scottish folk or contemporary rock and pop.
He said: “There is no question that Duff House is a magnificent location. For a music event it would be terrific.
“Festivals are such a very important asset – Portsoy Scottish Traditional Boast Festival is testament to that.
“The principle is fantastic. It’s a great way to get people to see their favourite bands and then discover what a remarkable part of the world this is.”
Banff councillor John Cox said Duff House and its grounds would be a “fantastic setting”.
“It’s the perfect setting to put on a large event,” he said. “We’ve got so much to offer. We can offer a different range of music.
“We have to be as open-minded as possible, not just cater to one clientele.”
Music performances could be offered alongside other literary and cultural events.
Mr Cox, who is also member of the Visit Aberdeenshire board, added: “Rather than competing with Inverurie we could do a string of events and work together.”
The event would be twinned with a separate two-day event in Inverurie in an effort to spread the economic benefit across the north-east.
Provost Hamish Vernal, who represents Inverurie, said: “We’ve had small local music events in Davidson Park.
“There is now a push to look at an Aberdeenshire-wide music festival. It’s a very positive idea.”
Mr Vernal, who sits on the Visit Aberdeenshire board alongside Mr Cox, said the region “needs to be open for business”.
He added that organisers must look as far ahead as 10 years as to how the event can grow and draw in further investment.
Secretary of Inverurie Events, Neil Baillie, welcomed the idea and said: “It could potentially be great and put Aberdeenshire on the map. It could potentially be a big draw that can grow.
“It could be a really good thing for local people to be involved in and encourage tourism and visitors to the area.”
Similar events across the north of Scotland now attract tens of thousands of visitors every year. Hebcelt in Stornoway has been headlined by artists including Runrig, Van Morrison, and KT Tunstall.
Belladrum festival near Beauly is attended by as many as 20,000 music fans.
Although the latest proposals have only been discussed informally to date, the principle has also been welcomed by Visit Aberdeenshire’s festivals and culture director Angela Michael.
Last night she said: “We are happy to support any initiative that will help to improve the quality of the destination for both residents and visitors to the area.
“We look forward to learning more about the proposals for music events in north Aberdeenshire as they develop, and to discuss how we may be able to provide support.”
