Stage by Stage: Michelle Shields on leadership, legacy and the sound of HebCelt

For HebCelt’s Michelle Shields, the road from sparkly wristbands to programming the main stage has been as natural as it’s been extraordinary.  Born and raised just a short walk from Lews Castle Green, her connection already ran deep. Looking back at what has been her coming-of-age wrapped in music, it seems obvious now that she’d …

HebCelt Festival delivers vital £12million economic boost to Western Isles over three years

The award-winning Hebridean Celtic Festival has provided a vital £12 million economic lifeline to the Western Isles over the past three years since the COVID-19 pandemic while helping secure dozens of jobs, organisers have revealed.  Analysis highlights a £4.1 million boost to the local community from the 2024 festival alone, marking an increase of £600,000 …