Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant (pictured) praised the creativity and community spirit of the Hebridean Celtic Festival this week when she lodged a motion in Scottish Parliament recognising the Festival’s online programme of events between 15 and 18 July 2020.
The Hebridean Celtic Festival, which should have been celebrating it’s 25th anniversary this year but was forced to postpone due to Covid 19, instead scheduled a programme of virtual events to celebrate the wealth of music and culture available in Scotland and simultaneously raise funds for the local hospice charity Bethesda.
Mrs Grant said:
“The Hebridean Celtic Festival has become a staple on the calendar; not just for the islands but for the UK’s festival circuit as a whole.
“In 2019 it brought in around £2million to the Western Isles and it draws people to Scotland from around the world.
“To say the Festival is a global ambassador for Celtic music would be an understatement.
“Over the last 25 years, the reputation of the Hebridean Celtic Festival has gone from strength to strength, and the hard work and commitment from its team of volunteers and the Festival director Caroline Maclennan have ensured that it is a warm, family friendly must stop on any Scottish itinerary.”
The Hebridean Celtic Festival will be holding its 25th anniversary celebrations in 2021, but in the meantime has hosted a number of online events including Julie Fowlis, Colin Macleod and a new recording of Runrig anthem ‘Only the Brave’.
