Scotland’s Islands events

The Pipes & Strings Tour (12 July-16 July 2011)

A unique collaborative project bringing together some of Scotland’s finest musicians, fusing traditional and classical styles. The six island tour visits Barra, South and North Uist, Skye, Harris and Lewis.

Hebridean Celtic Festival (Heb Celt Fest)

The festival which is now in its 15^th year returns on the 13 – 16 July and boasts a  fantastic range of music and street-entertainment to cater for all ages and interests, held in various locations throughout Lewis and Harris. The line up includes KT Tunstall, Stornoway, Kitty the Lion and many, many more.

Tiree Music Festival (23 – 24 Jul 2011)

Scotland‘s Festival in the ‘Hawaii of the North’. The Tiree Music Festival aims to create the musical weekend from heaven in one of Scotland’s most stunning locations. Suitable for all ages, the festival features a fantastic array of musical talents, as well as interactive workshops, children’s ceilidhs, whisky tasting, BBQ’s and many other activities and events – all of which will take place in the grounds of An Talla, Tiree’s community Hall. Music by Wolfstone, Pearl & The Puppets, Skerryvore, Macdonald Bros, Face The West, Brian Hughes Band, Manran, Calum Iain & Runrig’s Malcolm Jones, Trail West, The Works, Defenders and more.

Celebrating Kerrera

(27 – 28 Aug 2011) The event, aimed at local people and visitors, will be a celebration of what makes Kerrera unique and how the geology, history, flora all contribute to the production of outstanding quality food. Activities by the pier will include the sale of Kerrera brand of produce featuring Kerrera oysters, beef, lamb, pork, baked good, arts and crafts. A barbeque, teas, lunch based on Kerrera produce. There will also be a launch of a little book about Kerrera and guided walks in order to truly discover Kerrera’s beauty.

Blas festival (9 – 17 September)

Blas Festival, has established itself as the premier event celebrating all that is good about the Gaelic language and culture of the Highlands. Blas will deliver nearly 100 cultural events all over the Highlands in various venues. Featured artists at Blas 2011 will include top musical talent such as Karen Matheson, Karine Polwart, Iain Morrison & Daibhidh Martin, Kathleen MacInnes, Maggie MacInnes & Colum Sands and chart-bidders Mànran.

Bonnie Boat (10 September)

This September, enjoy an unforgettable weekend in Portree, one of Britain’s most stunning bays. A fun-filled, family-friendly day of activities awaits you with the main focus being on the ‘Celeste’, an incredible glittering sailing boat adorned by 60,000 inch square mirror tiles. It will beam a unique broadcast of songs and stories that artists Zoe Walker and Neil Bromwich have been collecting in the Isle of Skye.

Isle of Bute 1st International Guitar Festival

(16 -18 September 2011)

This inaugural event is set to celebrate the guitar sounds of the Isle of Bute and beyond. A chance to see top international folk guitarists Jon Strong, Michael Chapman and Rod Clements plus a line up of local support acts, free open mic sessions and guitar workshops.

The Year of Scotland’s Islands initiative aims to raise the profile of the islands across the UK and internationally, attract more visitors, bolster economic development and strengthen links between the islands and mainland cultural organisations.  The programme, which includes over 100 events across 42 islands, will showcase the music, arts, food, sport and history of the islands, as well as highlight their unique beauty as visitor destinations.

The Scotland’s Islands initiative has been developed through a partnership of the six local authorities with island communities – Argyll and Bute, Highland, North Ayrshire, Orkney, Shetland and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. Other supporters who have contributed to the funding the programme include Highlands & Islands Enterprise, EventScotland, European Regional Development Fund, VisitScotland and Awards for All.

Hebrides Today brings you the latest news from the Western Isles