A SCOTTISH festival has returned from a coronavirus-caused hiatus in convincing fashion, hosting a sold-out event, and the highest grossing event ever in their 25-year history.
The success highlights the demand for the festival’s charms after social distancing, with 18,000 people attending the event from more than 100 different countries.
The festival was a showcase of Celtic music and culture, with many of the performers having grown up in the islands.
Performances included three specially-commissioned shows “celebrating Gaelic” and a grand finale with renowned “ceilidh king” Fergie Macdonald.
Artists such as Texas, Seasick Steve, Tide Lines, Elephant Sessions, Skipinnish and Julie Fowlis were just a few of the 34 performers who made up the bill, and the acts were accompanied by a variety of fringe and community events, including shows at the An Lanntair arts centre in Stornoway.
In her last year as festival director, Caroline Maclennan said: “We are delighted to have had our best festival ever in terms of ticket sales, attendances, revenues and sheer positive enthusiasm for HebCelt.
“The performances of the artists have been superb and people have turned out in droves to enjoy them.
“As ever, we owe so much to our festival-goers who continue to support us. We are entirely grateful to them. We also have to thank our sponsors who put their trust in us to deliver, and to the volunteers and community who are essential to HebCelt happening.”
Deputy festival director Graham MacCallum, who will replace Caroline Maclennan next year, said: “This is a fitting way for Caroline to end her tenure as festival director.
“To have hit 25 years with our biggest selling festival ever is incredible. I’m sure she will continue to help the festival for years to come, but we owe her a great deal of thanks for her crucial work in making HebCelt such a success.”
