Peat and Diesel fever

Tickets for a Peat and Diesel Christmas concert have sold out within two hours.

The rock-and-roll phenomenon with a Hebridean twist storming the music world are performing on 26 November to mark the big switch-on of the Stornoway Christmas lights.

Doors at a pop-up booking office opened to a large queue on Saturday morning, mostly parents who showed up early and waited in line despite the chilly temperatures.

All seats speedily went for the under-18s event in the Nicolson while many disappointed youngsters have joined a waiting list for any returned tickets.

The performance is organised by Western Isles Lottery which is laying on a second Peat and Diesel gig the same night, this time for over-16s in Stornoway Town Hall.

Lottery spokesperson Janet Paterson said: “Peat and Diesel are phenomenal on the island, but more importantly they’ve helped put the Western Isles firmly on the map the length and breadth of the UK over the last 18 months.

“The excitement for tickets speaks for itself. All proceeds will go towards our current major project which we will be revealing soon.”

She added: “We’ve had many messages from people wanting tickets who plan to come from the mainland on the night.

“It was important that locals were given the opportunity first as it is not easy to travel to the mainland to see the boys playing in mainland venues. We chose to sell the tickets face to face for this reason.”

► Stornoway Christmas lights switch on

This year’s festive illuminations ceremony - organised by Stornoway Amenity Trust - take place around a fortnight earlier than usual.

Lottery member Emma Henderson explained: “We knew there were quite a number of other events at the weekends throughout November and December and we didn’t want to clash with them.

“As most events take place towards the end of the week, this year we chose a Tuesday.

“Traditionally, the switch-on has not taken place until early December. However, this will hopefully boost earlier footfall for local shops and businesses to have a festive atmosphere earlier this season.

“Switching the lights on earlier means we are now also in line with the mainland.

“Locals heading off to the mainland for shopping at the end of November, where streets are brightly lit up with decorations, have normally returned to a still dark and bleak looking town.”

The Stornoway Amenity Trust lost its funding some time ago ago and this is the third year Western Isles Lottery has provided the money for the town’s festive displays.

The lottery has raised over £172,000 so far with £120,000 re-distributed for community projects from the Butt to Barra while £52,000 has been given out in prize money.

Remaining tickets for Peat & Diesel’s over-16s gig are now on sale at Events shop on North Beach Street.

The Christmas lights will be lit up around 7.45pm on the night followed by a fireworks display.

Big demand for Peat and Diesel concert

The queue formed well before the ticket office opened

Peat and Diesel fever for Christmas lights’ concerts

11 November 2019