HebCelt Festival has been honoured with a rare tourism ‘Oscar’ for its work promoting the islands as a must-visit destination.

Visit Outer Hebrides presented the festival with a special award for ‘Outstanding Contribution To Tourism’ at what was only the second Our Tourism Community Awards ceremony held at the Cabarfeidh Hotel in Stornoway.

The festival, now working on its 29th edition to be headlined by The Saw Doctors and a huge line-up of local artists in July, attracts more than 17,000 fans a year and is now the third biggest music festival in Scotland of its kind, behind only TRSMT and Belladrum.

CEO of Visit Outer Hebrides Sarah Maclean and Sue Reid, who chairs Visit Outer Hebrides, were on hand for the ceremony which also recognised a range of other organisations supporting the islands’ tourism economy.

Carol Ferguson, HebCelt’s Operations Co-Ordinator, said: “This is such an incredible honour for everyone involved with the festival, and particularly for our volunteers who come in their droves every year to make HebCelt such a special place for people from all over the world.

“To see their effort, care and commitment recognised in this way - and through an award that celebrates the wider impact we have on the islands - makes us enormously proud.

“It really does feel like our own tourism Oscar. We know the reach HebCelt has from the messages we receive daily from people planning trips from all over the world. “But to be recognised in our own community is incredibly special, and we are very grateful to receive it.”

Among other winners on the night were: Uig Sands Restaurant won Best Eatery, Coralbox Gift Shop on Berneray took home the Small But Might Business Award, Kinloch Historical Society was named Best Cultural Experience, Lewis-based Tràigh Mhòr Pony Trekking was named Best Nature & Wellbeing Experience, Grianaig Guest House on South Uist took the prize for Excellence in Hosted Stays, while Harris Hideaway was named Best Independent Stay. Hebridean Digital Trailblazer ward went to The Weaving Shed at Crossbost, Lochs.

HebCelt takes place from 15 - 18 July. Tickets are on sale now from HERE

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