HebCelt, The largest music festival in the Western Isles begins

[strong]Hebridean Celtic Festival[/strong], the biggest music festival in the Western Isles, has welcomed thousands of visitors to its 28th edition, which kicked off on Wednesday with a line-up of local and international acts.
The four-day event, which takes place in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, features a mix of genres, from folk and rock to pop and indie, as well as traditional Gaelic music and culture.
Some of the highlights of this year’s festival include Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall, Irish rock band The Coronas, Welsh indie-pop group The Joy Formidable, and Canadian folk duo The East Pointers.
The festival also showcases emerging talent from the islands and beyond, such as Peat & Diesel, Fara, Niteworks, and The Lathums.
The [strong]Hebridean Celtic Festival[/strong], or [strong]HebCelt[/strong] as it is known, attracts around 18,000 visitors every year, making it one of the most successful rural festivals in Europe. It also generates an estimated £2.5 million for the local economy and supports more than 200 jobs.
The festival’s director, Caroline Maclennan, said: “We are delighted to be back after a challenging year for everyone. We have worked hard to ensure that HebCelt is a safe and enjoyable experience for our audience, artists, staff and volunteers. We are very grateful for the support we have received from our funders, sponsors, partners and the community.”
She added: “HebCelt is more than just a music festival. It is a celebration of our culture, our heritage and our identity. It is a chance to showcase the beauty and diversity of our islands to the world. And it is a way to bring people together and share the joy of live music.”
The festival runs until Saturday, with a range of activities and events taking place across the island, such as workshops, talks, exhibitions, film screenings and ceilidhs.
Tickets are still available for some of the shows and can be purchased online or at the festival box office.