The popular HebCelt festival boosted the economy of the Outer Hebrides by £4.4 million this summer, it has been revealed.
The four-day celebration in Stornoway, which is Scotland’s third largest festival, attracted more than 17,000 people in July this year, featuring Lulu, Tidelines and Skerryvore as headliners.
According to organisers, fans travelling to Lewis for the festival stayed on the island for an average of 7.8 days and spent £1,025 each, 81% of which remained in the local economy.
HebCelt chair Iain Macphail said the figures were a ‘landmark result’ for the festival and the islands ‘as a whole’.
He remarked: “The festival has again delivered important and sustainable value to the local economy with an exceptional performance, while remaining firmly committed to our core responsibilities to community, culture and sustainability.
“At a time when too many festivals across the UK are facing major cutbacks, challenges and in the saddest of cases even closure, HebCelt is showing that cultural events still have the ability to grow responsibly with consistent support.”
44 bands performed during the four-day event, 79% of which included female performers.
In total, more than 255 artists participated in 72 gigs during the Stornoway-based festival, with 43% of those playing based in the Western Isles.
Macphail added: “We are well underway with preparation for next year, but already our thoughts and planning are turning to how we will mark our 30th anniversary in 2027, by which point we expect to have helped generate £40m for the islands across our timeline.
“This is about more than economics. It’s also about the hundreds of opportunities we create for jobs, skills training and for artists who perform, and the much valued collaborations with our close partners An Lanntair, local venues, media and more.”
Creative hub An Lanntair, located on Lewis, hosted a series of performances and ceilidhs during the festival.
The arts centre is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
Macphail added: “From the volunteers who make the festival happen to our public funders and sponsors who stand behind us, everyone involved played a huge part in this success, and we are so incredibly grateful for everything that they do.
“Most of all it's about the audience, whether they come from over the road or across the globe to enjoy world class music in perhaps the most picturesque, family friendly setting you can imagine a festival of this calibre anywhere.”
Speaking to The Herald in June, Macphail explained how the festival benefits island life.
“The festival plays such a huge part in the annual calendar,” he said. “It is a huge thing for the local economy and has such a positive economic impact.
“We brought in £4.1m for local businesses last year.”
Festival Operations Co-Ordinator Carol Ferguson added: “Our impact comes not just from the ticket sales, but our deep commitment to working with our local suppliers.
“So, everything that we can get locally, we absolutely procure locally to give that benefit back.”
Sustainability was also a key aspect of the festival this summer.
A micro power grid was installed at the festival grounds which powered ‘critical infrastructure’ across the site, while hydrogen-powered lighting towers replaced diesel-powered lighting.
In addition, more than 25,000 reusable cups were provided. Volunteer-led waste management and compostable foodware resulted in 62% of waste being recycled.
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Ferguson said: “HebCelt’s focus is on ensuring the best possible experiences for our audience, sponsors and partners as we continue to evolve and grow, while offering a safe, sustainable and inspirational family friendly space for all.
“At its heart is an incredible programme of music, a celebration of our island culture and an opportunity to create unique festival moments to treasure.
“Thanks to our funding partners, sponsors and support from our local community, we look forward to what promises to be another amazing summer of music in July.”
Headliners at next year’s festival, which will be held between 15 and 18 July, include Irish band The Saw Doctors, as well as The Tumbling Souls, Peatbog Faeries, Michelle McManus and The Blackhearts.
