Motherwell Strathclyde Park previously hosted the major Scottish music festival, T in the Park, until 1996, when it was moved to a disused airfield in Balado, Kinross-shire. It has also hosted other music festivals such as Retrofest. Modern authors Des McAnulty and Mark Wilson have written novels of critical acclaim which are based in the town (LIFE IS LOCAL, McAnulty) and neighbouring town Bellshill (BOBBY'S BOY, Wilson). Motherwell is the headquarters for both North Lanarkshire Council, which is one of Scotland's most populous local authority areas, and of Police Scotland "Q" division. These organisations cover an overall population of 327,000 people
Solas Festival the National Theatre of Scotland, Breabach, and Margie Gillis. Solas Festival Solas Festival is an annual music festival, held in Scotland, since 2010. The festival also comprises elements of poetry, art, politics, dance, philosophy and literature. Described as a "wee Woodstock," the festival is associated with Creative Scotland, Scottish Refugee Week and Christian Aid. The first three festivals were held in the village of Wiston. From 2013 the festival has been held at the Bield at Blackruthven near Perth. The festival's 2012 musical acts included: Admiral Fallow, Roddy Woomble, Ricky Ross, Randolph's Leap and The Imagineers. The festival's 2013 line-up