Scotland’s Islands Initiative Sees Second Stage Expansion for Festival
10 Mar 2011
Second Stage Expansion for Festival
A new collaborative marketing initiative, aimed at raising the profile of the Scottish islands, has lead to the announcement of a second stage expansion for this year's Hebridean Celtic Festival.
The Scotland’s Islands initiative in 2011 aims to attract new visitors, bolster community and economic development and strengthen links between the islands and mainland cultural organisations.
Funding for the year-long programme, which is backed through a partnership of the six local authorities with island connections, will support events and activities in each island area, flagship events and an ‘Awards for All’ programme.
Now with funding support from Scotland’s Islands Flagship Programme, the Hebridean Celtic Festival will be providing an exciting new second stage on its main site at Lews Castle in Stornoway. It will present a range of artists drawn from Scotland’s Islands, alongside other emerging and renowned artists, enhancing the festival programme and providing more choice for festival fans.
The festival is one of Europe’s leading musical events and attracts over 17,000 attendances to its four-day programme (13th-16th July 2011). It showcases music from international artistes across a number of venues, but this will be the first time the event has hosted two stages on its leading site.
Festival Director, Caroline MacLennan, said: “We are delighted to be making this announcement of an extra stage and we’re indebted to the Scottish Islands initiative for its foresight and support for what will be a major new addition to the festival’s programming. It will allow us to expand and enhance the event and provide excellent choice for our many loyal festival-goers.”
EventScotland, the national events agency are supporting the Hebridean Celtic Festival for the fourth time with the funding for the 2011 event going towards the development of the new stage.
Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Office for EventScotland said, “Scotland’s Islands will be a hive of activity this year and The Hebridean Celtic Festival sits naturally as a flag ship event for this initiative given the cultural and tourism impact it generates. “We have seen the event grow significantly over the years and the creation of this new stage is a major development for the festival and hope it attracts new audiences from the Islands and beyond.”
For more information, please contact Peter Kane: Lucid PR, 01463 724577; 07742 308213; info@lucidmessages.com
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