Major Scottish Festival Promotes Gaelic Language and Culture: HebCelt 2015

The 2oth annual Hebcelt Festival will be held this week, July 15 - 18,  at Lews Castle in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland's Outer Hebrides.  The Festival is being praised for its promotion  of Gaelic culture and Language.  

A major festival with hundreds of performances, the HebCelt has gained an international reputation for showcasing Celtic performers as well as Celtic influenced talent spanning many cultures. The line up in 2015 includes Treacherous Orchestra, Chastity Brown, Le Vent du Nord, Shooglenifty, Idlewild, Salsa Celtica, Niteworks, Manran, Sorren Maclean, Have Mercy Las Vegas, Vincent Cross, Scott McWatt, Raghu Dixit, Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys, Jamie Smith's Mabon, Karen Matheson, Siobhan Miller, Iain Morrison, Between Islands, Shinty's Heroes (Curaidhean na Camanachd), Na h-Òganaich, Siiga, Eleanor Nicolson, Alyth McCormack, Shine, Halcyon, Malin, Sunshine Social, Earths, Bella and The Bear, The Elephant Sessions, and Japanese musician Toshiya Motooka.

Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Outer Hebrides) and the Minister for Scotland’s Languages, has praised the HebCelt organizers for using the Festival as a venue to promote the Gaelic tongue: “This is another fine example of the good work being done by HebCelt to promote Gaelic to a large audience. It means the language will be prominent during the festival and will encourage people, even those not familiar with the language, to see and hear it being used in everyday situations.  That kind of exposure and experience is vital to Gaelic’s sustainability.  Hearing Gaelic being spoken, and used in traditional and contemporary songs at the festival, adds to the character and appeal of HebCelt.”

From the HebCelt Official Website we have the following:”The multi-award winning HebCelt returns for its 20th annual festival during 15 – 18 July 2015. This unique event is set against one of the most atmospheric backdrops, the Scottish Hebridean island of Lewis with its distinctive Gaelic culture and heritage. And what makes this event special? Simply the music you will hear which encompasses Celtic cultures tinged with contemporary traditional, rock, indie-folk and world influences. The setting in Stornoway’s Lews Castle grounds which offers access to the wider natural beauty and archaeological treasures the area has to offer." 

• 2oth Annual HebCelt Festival - Hebridean Celtic Festival

  • When: July 15 - 18, 2015
  • Where: Lews Castle, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides
  • Website: www.hebceltfest.com