Image Credit: VisitScotland, Colin Cameron

Eco-friendly event innovation

HebCelt is a multi-award-winning music and arts festival which takes place annually in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.  Running for 27 years, the festival showcases emerging artists, profiles Gaelic arts and a variety of local talent within a programme featuring music from Celtic, world, alternative, roots and contemporary alternative genres.  Headliners to date include Runrig, Van Morrison, Deacon Blue, The Fratellis, The Levellers and KT Tunstall to name a few.

The event boasts robust environmental credentials, having adopted hydrogen power solutions in 2022 to replace fossil fuels for powering parts of the event site. The 2023 event expanded on these sustainable practices, and while not entirely powered by green energy, it shows progressive annual enhancements in reducing fossil fuel dependency.

The event garnered considerable positive media attention for its approach, and despite its small scale, it's making a substantial impact in terms of environmental responsibility, actively advancing the agenda within the festival industry.

A Visitor Survey and Economic Impact Report carried out by MKA Associates, reported a £3.6m boost to the local economy in 2023.

Read more: HebCelt boosts green credentials with new initiative (External Link)

Hydrogen-powered

lighting was used across the event site eradicating the use of diesel-powered units across the site in terms of lighting

Portable battery storage generators

used to power remote CCTV units, the onsite box office and lighting within the medical tent.

£3.6 million

boost to local economy in 2023

53%

of visitors were from out with the local authority area - 3% higher than in 2022

21%

of non-locals were visiting Lewis and Harris for the first time

6.8 days

Overnight visitors stayed on average

HebCelt passionately protects and promotes its heritage, including the vibrant Gaelic and traditional music that is both part of its history and its contemporary life. It mixes the best local talent with leading Scottish, UK and world artists and brings together household names and emerging talent to provide a feast of music to appeal to all ages. The festival has achieved many accolades over the years including MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards - Event of the Year 2022.