A music festival has generated more than half a million pounds for the Uist economy, an independent assessment has revealed.
The two-day Eilean Dorcha Festival was held on Benbecula with headliners Hunter and the Bear, Beinn Lee and Trail West.
Research into the July event undertaken by MKA Economics, Stirling, revealed an estimated £522,417 visitor spend, a jump of 24 per cent on the £420,000 spent last year.
A total of 3374 people attended the festival over the weekend, a 12% increase on 2017.
Half of the attendees were local, with the other half from mainland Scotland and all over the world.
Of those who travelled to the festival, 20% were making their first visit to the Outer Hebrides.
Three quarters of visitors, 73%, stayed on the Uists for more than three nights, compared to 61% in 2017.
More than 85% of respondents rated the festival experience as either “very good” or “excellent”.
Eilean Dorcha Festival development manager Roddy MacKay said: “It is our first priority to put on a great show and offer fun activities for individuals of all ages, so it is great to know we attracted a record crowd, with the vast majority rating the festival experience as either ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’.
“In addition to the overall experience, it is important EDF delivers a substantial economic benefit for local businesses. It is encouraging to understand that our visitor numbers are increasing, people are staying for longer and wish to come back to the islands, and on top of that they delivered an incredible local spend of more than half a million pounds.
“It is our ambition to build on this success, enhance the festival experience even further, and make Eilean Dorcha Festival an unmissable occasion and the islands a must-visit destination.”
He added: “We would welcome local people or businesses to get in touch with us if they would like to know more about getting involved with the festival next year in any capacity, whether trading, volunteering, performing or sponsorship.”
