THE spotlight will shine on Lewis this week as the 2018 Hebridean Celtic Festival gets underway from Wednesday, July 18.
Over the next six days, I will be covering the event for The Herald bringing you live reviews, artist interviews and highlights from this stunning corner of the Hebrides.
So, what to expect? Musicians and performers will converge on the grounds of Lews Castle in Stornoway from July 18-21.
Over the years, HebCelt has showcased an array of talent and this year’s big headliners are Deacon Blue, The Fratellis and Eddi Reader.
Up-and-coming young artists such as Iona Fyfe and Rosie Sullivan will also take to the stage, rubbing shoulders with some of the top names in the music industry. Scottish festival favourites Skipinnish will also be making an appearance.
Niteworks, a band from the Skye, are worth keeping an eye out for this weekend. They’ve been carving a name for themselves with their electronic music fused with Gaelic vocals and bagpipes.
Tide Lines, shortlisted as Live Act of The Year in the 2017 Scots Trad Music Awards, will return to the stage for a second year after last year’s mind-blowing performance.
Originally from Lewis, the band mix their native Gaelic language with electric guitars, drums and keyboard to create an exciting pop-rock resonance.
The festival strongly supports the indigenous Gaelic language and has created an impressive £20 million for the local economy over the past decade.
It began in 1996 as a small community event with a crowd of less than 1,000, but has steadily grown over the years and this weekend is expected to draw a 16,000-strong audience.
HebCelt has garnered a clutch of awards including a highly commended Greener Festival of the Year 2017 award due to its small carbon footprint and eco-friendly mindset.
Getting there is all part of the fun and festival-goers have the pleasure of seeing some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland en route, whether that be by ferry or a short flight.
CalMac ferries has sponsored the festival since it began and the vessel known as Loch Seaforth will be transformed into a dedicated HebCelt ferry - and imprompu floating ceilidh - for the week.
HebCelt 2018 looks set to be a sell-out event, although limited tickets are still available for Thursday and Friday.
Visit hebceltfest.com
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