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Music

Famed for their traditional Gaelic songs, as well as the skills of local pipers and fiddle and accordion players, the Outer Hebrides have become world-renowned for their music.

For over twenty years, the Hebridean Celtic Festival has taken place in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, showcasing the talents of traditional musicians from countries all over the globe including Africa, New Zealand and North America. The festival, which lasts for four days in July, attracts thousands of people each year and the Outer Hebrides is bustling throughout the duration of the festival as events, concerts and workshops take place across the islands.

In recent years, a new vibrant festival has taken place in Benbecula; the Eilean Dorcha Festival. A fantastic mix of traditional and contemporary music.

As well as the festivals, the Lewis Pipe Band is one of the local community’s proudest traditions. The Pipe Band have been marching since 1904 and are one of the few remaining pipe bands in Scotland who still wear full piping dress during parades. As well as marching during local events and in national competitions, the Lewis Pipe Band also marches through the town centre of Stornoway every Saturday evening from the end of May until the end of August. The Pipe Major Donald Macleod Memorial Competition, one of the world’s best piping competitions, is held every year in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. Attracting spectators and competitors from as far afield as New Zealand and North America, the piping contest is held every April in Stornoway town centre.

Meanwhile, on the island of South Uist, the annual Ceolas Summer School takes place each July, a week long event of Gaelic song, dance and music.

Taigh Chearsabhagh, North Uist, An Lanntair in Stornoway and Taigh Dhonnchaidh in Ness have regular music events and keep your eyes peeled in local communities for ceilidh dances and traditional musical sessions in local hotels and bars.

Highlights

Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Arts Centre

Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum & Arts Centre is a place where people can meet, share ideas, learn new skills and experience cultural interpretation that is imaginative and stimulating.

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