Legendary Irish rockers The Saw Doctors are to headline HebCelt Festival next summer - marking 40-years as a band.

The beloved hitmakers - famed for songs including ‘I Useta Lover’, ‘N17’ and ‘Tommy K’ - will return to Stornoway in July to top the bill on the Saturday night.

They have just celebrated performing back-to-back sold-out gigs at Glasgow Barrowland over the weekend, with fans sure to snap up tickets for the newly announced island date when they go on sale this Friday.

Frontman Leo Moran said: “It’s been a while but our show at HebCelt in 2008 was The Saw Doctors’ gig of the year. So if it comes anywhere close to that this Summer coming, we’ll be more than delighted. And sure why wouldn’t it. It’s great to be going back.”

It will mark their third appearance at HebCelt, following unforgettable shows on Lews Castle Green in 2004 and 2008.

They are joined by Celtic fusion legends the Peatbog Faeries, inducted to the HebCelt Hall of Fame in 2010; MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards Scots Singer of the Year nominee Jarad Rowan; genre-busting quartet Mec Lir; and former Merchant Navy navigator turned award-winning singer, songwriter and harpist Chloe Matharu.

Kirsten Adamson and The Tanagers, daughter of the late Big Country frontman Stuart Adamson; broadcast and singing favourite Michelle McManus and The Flaming Blackhearts; all-female sextet HEISK; Siobhan Miller Band; Scottish Jazz Awards nominee Niamh Corkey; 2024 Gaelic Singer of the Year Emma Scalpay; and Danny Kyle Award winners Dàna will also feature.

Former Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus, host of BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘Afternoons’ show, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be coming to play at HebCelt for the very first time with my band! I’ve heard so many wonderful things about the festival - the incredible atmosphere, the stunning setting, and especially the warm, welcoming audience. “I honestly can’t wait to be in Stornoway, to soak it all in, hear the other bands and have a really good sing-along with everyone. It’s going to be so special"

Local heroes The Tumbling Souls, Sean Harrison and Band, and Uist six-piece Beinn Lee will be joined by Canadian singer-songwriter Old Man Luedecke and acclaimed Glasgow folk singer Michael McGovern and Band to complete the first wave of acts announced today. The next headliner will be revealed before Christmas.

The Tumbling Souls lead vocalist and co-founder Willie Campbell said: “We’re absolutely over the moon to be performing at HebCelt again next year. Last year’s slot was such a great moment for us, the atmosphere was electric, and the warmth we felt from both the home crowd and the visitors was incredible.

“There’s something truly unique about playing on home soil to that big of a squad, also there’s friends, family, and people who’ve travelled from all over to be part of it. We felt a real connection with the audience. The HebCelt atmosphere is second to none, it spreads out into the town and right across the island.”

Artist programmer Michelle Shields, recently nominated as MG Alba Scots Trad Music Award Industry Person of the Year, revealed that The Saw Doctors were always on her list to invite back to the festival and promised more big names to come.

She said: “To have The Saw Doctors back at HebCelt is a dream booking, and we are so honoured they have chosen to mark 40 years on the road by performing in Stornoway. There’s no better way to celebrate than to welcome them back to HebCelt, where they always bring such joy and energy to the festival.

“‘Legends’ is a term that can often be overused, but not in this case. They truly are legends, which is why it is such an honour for us that they have chosen to come to Stornoway and headline on the Saturday night.

“With the likes of Mec Lir, Jarad Rowan, Michelle McManus and The Flaming Blackhearts, Kirsten Adamson, Niamh Corkey and so many more, there really is something for everyone. And no HebCelt would be complete without some well known locals - The Tumbling Souls, Sean Harrison and Band, with many more to come.”

Long-term festival partner An Lanntair, the award-winning multi-arts venue and gallery, will reveal its line-up in the months ahead, while shows and family events return to venues in Breasclete, Harris and Stornoway Town Hall.

After successfully introducing new features and technology to last year’s event including tap and go payments, tents and play areas, organisers are promising more upgrades to come, starting with fan friendly payment plans ahead of tickets going on sale this Friday.

Supported by multi-year funding from Creative Scotland, backing from NHS Eileanan Siar, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, sponsors including Lewis Wind Power and SSEN Transmission, and local organisations, this will be the penultimate festival - running from 15 to 18 July - before its 30th anniversary celebration event in 2027.

Earlier this year it won the 2025 Climate Hebrides Award for its commitment to sustainability and is in the running for further recognition at the prestigious UK Festival Awards, BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards, and Outer Hebrides ‘Our Tourism Community Awards’.

General weekend tickets will be on sale from 10am, Friday 21st November. For more information visit: https://www.hebceltfest.com