A bumper crowd turned out in Benbecula over the weekend for the island’s first ever musical festival.
Set in the district of Lionacleit, the new Eilean Dorcha Festival (EDF) pulled in crowds topping 3,000 with more last minute tickets hastily printed off.
Music lovers from afar joined locals for the event, which was headlined by Runrig’s Donnie Munro.
Many West Coast and island bands with mainland followings joined the EDF line-up, with Barra’s Vatersay Boys even attracting one American to fly over especially for the event.
The festival was the long-cherished dream of local businessman Roddy Mackay and was the culmination of two years of work.
He said: “We’ve always known our island is the perfect setting for a music festival. But it’s not just that, a festival will bring the economic boost our area needs with its spin-off for local shops, eateries and accommodation providers, not to mention employment opportunities.”
EDF director Stephen Peteranna, who owns the nearby Dark Island Hotel added: “People started arriving on the Tuesday, staying locally and familiarising themselves with the area, and ever since then it was a build-up up to fever level with everything jumping and people on a high of excitement.”
As well as well-known bands and tribute acts, there was also the chance for local musicians to show off their talent.
Florina Lacatusu, from Melbourne, booked her EDF ticket six months ago as part of her seven-week holiday in Scotland.
She said: “It’s brilliant, the entertainment is good, the location is good and it’s a good day for the family. Putting players on stage so young is how they grow into great entertainers themselves.”