Runrig closes Hebridean Celtic Festival

Gaelic rock legends, Runrig, took the Hebridean Celtic Festival out on a high at the end of the event’s 21st anniversary year.

High winds affected the festival arena at the Lews Castle green in Stornoway earlier on Saturday but eased before thousands of people crammed into a huge marquee as the contemporary Celtic rockers took the stage.

The band blasted out old favourites plus a selection from their newest - and last - studio album, The Story.

Speaking in Gaelic, lead singer Bruce Guthro, told the enthusiastic crowd: “Its good to be back in Stornoway.”

The band sung one of their classics, Every River, in tribute to the Hebridean audience as thanks "for your support over the last 40 years."

Bruce borrowed a line from the lyrics to highlight: "There’s no way without you we could have done it.”

Main performances sold out fast with nearly 50 acts attracting a 15,000-strong audience between Wednesday and the weekend.

The four-day event boosted the Western Isles economy by around £1 million.

A pop-up camping village with 50 tents was organised to try and cope with demand for accommodation.

Fringe events included a raft of concerts, circus busking events, pub music and a shinty challenge match.

Festival director, Murdo Maclennan, said Runrig was an “obvious” choice to celebrate the event’s "fantastic" 21st birthday.

Mr Maclennan believes the ongoing attraction of the festival comes down to the location and people in the Hebrides which leads to fans and musicians returning.

Brian Hurren, of Runrig, said the finale was an “incredible gig“ for the band.

He said there was such an “amazing buzz” around and there is “no festival like it.”

"The atmosphere here is electric. You can feel it going through the whole town.”

Foot-stomping Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Urban Teuchtars, international singing star Julie Fowlis, American ‘rockgrass’ band Hayseed Dixie and multi-instrumentalist John McCusker, also performed.

In addition, the diverse line-up included acclaimed singer songwriter King Creosote, re-formed Indie band Astrid, Orkney four-piece Fara, folk trio Talisk, as well as Skippinish, Eddi Reader and Breabach.

HebCelt has grown from a small event attracting less than 1,000 fans, to an international showpiece for roots, Celtic and traditional music, generating more than £20 million for the local economy over two decades.

Runrig at HebCelt 2016

Runrig closes "incredible" Hebridean Celtic Festival on a high

17 July 2016