The Saw Doctors brought HebCelt to a memorable close on Saturday night as the Irish favourites surprised thousands of festival goers with three Tartan Army anthems that had the sold out main arena singing until the very last note.
Playing beneath the backdrop of Lews Castle overlooking Stornoway Harbour, the folk rock legends rounded off four days of music, sunshine and celebration with a set packed full of favourites before producing an unexpected finale that few in the audience will forget.
Best known for classics including N17 and I Useta Lover, the band finished their headline performance with Yes Sir, I Can Boogie, Scotland the Brave and Flower of Scotland, prompting a huge singalong from the packed crowd.
Frontman Davy Carton said:
“What a beautiful, heartfelt evening that was.
“Ye were one of the greatest audiences we have ever stood before.
“Thanks for everything.
“Back to Ireland tomorrow, very happy men.”
The headline performance capped a remarkable four days for HebCelt, with around 16,000 people attending the festival and Saturday completely selling out as 6,000 people passed through the gates.
Organisers say ticket income increased by four per cent compared with last year, while the run of glorious weather helped lift bar sales by 16.5 per cent, with newly introduced Tennent’s Lager accounting for more than half of the almost 15,000 pints sold across the weekend.
Earlier on Saturday evening, French group FÜLU delivered one of the festival’s standout performances on the Lewis Wind Power Island Stage, combining electronic sounds, brass and percussion while wearing striking animal masks before stepping into the middle of the audience for an impromptu performance.
The crowd quickly surrounded the band, dancing, clapping and cheering as the musicians performed from the heart of the arena.
Tenor saxophonist Rémi Souyris simply looked around and said:
“This is incredible.”
Elsewhere across the site, Glasgow indie trad outfit DLU won over a host of new fans with an energetic set on the main stage, while Charlie Stewart impressed audiences in the Isle of Harris Gin Ceilidh Tent as more than 50 hours of live music unfolded throughout the festival.
Artists including The Mary Wallopers, Mànran, Valtos, Peatbog Faeries, FARA, Calum MacColl, Michelle McManus, HEISK, Emberline, Isla Scott and The Flaming Blackhearts helped deliver one of the strongest line ups in recent years, with An Lanntair also hosting a series of special performances during festival week.
Festival Chairman Iain Macphail said:
“The atmosphere has been absolutely electric out in the arena, everyone has been saying so.
“It’s really hard to explain, other than it’s just an intense feeling of joy.
“From the incredible music to the tickets sold, the sensational run of good weather, and just the best fun we could hope for.
“We’ve also been blown away by our incredible volunteers and the support from the local community.
“They truly are the lynchpin to everything we do. We simply could not manage without them.
“I think tonight was one of the best crowds I have ever seen in the main tent, and it was such a brilliant way to end this year’s event.”
Festival Coordinator Carol Ferguson said:
“I’m really still pinching myself because so many brilliant things have all happened over the past few days for Team HebCelt.
“It’s been the most wonderful experience.
“We are grateful to every single person who has made it happen, supporting not just the festival but the whole island.
“We simply cannot wait to do it again.”
With another memorable HebCelt now part of the history books, attention is already turning to next year as the festival prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary when it returns to Stornoway from 14 to 17 July 2027.
