Scotland's biggest music festival is being transported to the grounds of a 19th century castle.

T In The Park is to move to the Strathallan Castle estate in Perthshire after 18 years at its current home of Balado, Kinross.

A deal has been struck to shift the festival next year following health and safety concerns about an underground oil pipeline at the Balado site.

About 85,000 revellers are expected to watch ­performances next month by stars such the Arctic Monkeys, Calvin Harris and Biffy Clyro.

Geoff Ellis, head of organiser DF Concerts, said Strathallan was set to become "one of the most beautiful festival sites in the UK".

The estate is about three miles from Auchterarder. The castle and estate have been owned by the Roberts family since 1910.

Mr Ellis said: "We are thrilled to announce Strathallan Castle as our new home. We've had 18 tremendous years at Balado but now we are moving on to pastures new - this time with a castle overlooking the site!

"When it became clear we would need to leave Balado to safeguard the future of the festival, we became very excited about the prospect of Strathallan becoming the new home. We thought it would be perfect and it is.

"The landscape is stunning and it has a fantastic natural amphitheatre that will lend itself beautifully for the main stage. It will truly be one of the most beautiful festival sites in the UK.

"Obviously, we are sad to leave Kinross. However, we are very excited about this new chapter of T In The Park's journey and we look forward to beginning strong partnerships with the community of Strathallan."

T In The Park has attracted many of the biggest names in music since it began 20 years ago. The event was originally held at Strathclyde Park, Lanarkshire, but moved to Balado in Kinross-shire in 1997.

It is believed to be worth as much as £7 million annually to the local economy.

This year's event is from July 11 to 13.