Young Robbie Robertson had always been interested in Caledonian history and in 1982, when the Nationality Act of 1981 kicked in, attempting to change everyone in Scotland's natural status from that of sovereign subject of the Kingdom of Scotland to citizen of the Westminster parliament, Robbie decided enough was enough. Having been known for his admiration of the our Pictish forefathers, especially regarding their attitude to invaders of Caledonian homelands, Robbie adopted his nick-name of ‘The Pict' as his legal name in 1984, renounced any imposed citizenship of Ukania and declared the foundation of the Pictish Free State of mind.

By a peculiarly Celtic coincidence the 13th centenary of the famous Battle of Dunnichen was due in 1985. Robbie's problem was that it was only famous to him, some of his fellow antiquaries and a few academics. He decided to promote a music festival based in the nearest dry playing space to the battle-site, which turned out to be Letham village hall. Although being well received by members of the Letham community he was unable to stir the high heid yins in Forfar to any action or co-operation. Undaunted, he liquidated his booksellers business in Edinburgh and funded seven days of music-based celebrations in the Electric Temple, as the village hall was described for the duration of the ‘Dunnichen Festival'.

For seven years the event went smoothly, featuring all-day breakfasts from the Brownie hut, guerrilla camping in Dempster Park – rendered spotless before leaving, and most of all some great music. In the true festival spirit of diversity the bands ranged from the Bolivian folk music of Awatinas to the 12-bar boogie of Blues ‘n' Trouble, from Deaf Heights' Cajun two-steps to Dundee's insane Beaver Sisters. Seamus Begley and Steve Cooney travelled from Ireland, as did Liam O Maonlai of Hothouse Flowers but the Dunnichen best ever gig badge must go to the Waterboys.