Outer Hebrides' month long September festival
September may mark the traditional end of the Scottish summer, but a new Outer Hebrides festival planned for the month means that it’s never too late to plan an island break ... all hail Hebtember!
Tourism bosses on the islands are encouraging visitors to consider a visit this September and to sweeten the deal are offering an amazing programme of authentic island entertainment, exhibitions, attractions and events – as well as signing up some exciting household names as Hebtember headliners.
Hebtember’14 will combine truly traditional Outer Hebrides pastimes and pursuits with the very best in contemporary arts and entertainment, with more than 100 festival events on offer in venues from the Butt of Lewis in the north to Barra in the south meaning no island visitors will miss out on any of the action.
Visitors can join members of island crofting communities for one of a series of eight Celtic ceilidhs, where they will be invited to don their best Harris Tweed outfits (there are prizes for the best outfits) and take part in this island tradition of song, dance and celebration. The ceilidhs will feature performances from acclaimed Gaelic singers and top local bands, with pre-event workshops on offer to allow the uninitiated the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the traditional steps and calls in advance of the dance - helping them to ceilidh with confidence like an authentic islander!
Hebtember guests will be also able to explore the strong influence that the islands have over arts and artisans, with art and craft exhibitions and shopping opportunities on offer at over 80 gallery and retail spaces, 14 museums and five markets across the islands, including a specially created showcase at Uist Wool’s Scotvein spinning mill exploring the unique relationship between island makers and locally sourced materials, complete with demonstrations and on-site installations.
And to top it all off, Hebtember organisers have secured headline performances from top Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis and favourite Scots funnyman Fred MacAulay – both of whom will perform at venues across the archipelago as part of the festival programme.
Returning to her native Outer Hebrides in the Year of Scottish Homecoming, home-grown Hebtember headliner Julie will perform the haunting Gaelic songs that saw her selected to be the voice of the north; singing the theme tune to the Oscar-winning Disney blockbuster Brave, while BBC Scotland broadcaster and seasoned stand-up MacAulay will treat audiences to a performance of his Edinburgh Fringe-born The Frederendum tour, taking a timely and topical look at the issues affecting Scotland this September.
Ian Fordham of the Outer Hebrides Tourism Industry Association said: “We’re excited to be launching this first Hebtember programme as we know it will really enrich the experience of visitors to the Outer Hebrides in September. Choosing a break outwith the traditional rush period for the area means visitors will have a greater choice of accommodation and more flexible travel options.
“The welcome on the islands for September visitors will be just as warm and, as well as being able to access all the same island facilities as those who come in the height of summer, visitors will also be able to benefit from an exciting festival programme ranging from arts and film to literature, lectures and live music, put together purely to enhance their enjoyment and experience of our islands.
“Hebtember’14 is sure to be a memorable month, combining the excitement of big name performers with intimate, authentic and inimitable island experiences. We hope many will come and join us in September in the Outer Hebrides to experience life on the edge of Europe’s Atlantic Ocean.”
Full details of the Hebtember programme can be found at hebtember.co.uk, from where festival goers can also access information on travel and accommodation.
Hebtember guests can also use the website to create their own free personalised itinerary for their time on the islands and explore all the islands of the Outer Hebrides have to offer on top of the exciting Hebtember entertainment.
