AN SGADAN ROBACH (real name withheld to protect the not so innocent) gives his own guide to the lure of the Hebridean Celtic Festival.

SET IN THE glorious surroundings of Lews Castle and mature woodlands with dramatic views of Stornoway harbour, the Hebridean Celtic Festival has always had a lot to live up, to but since its conception in 1996 the event has grown and received international recognition and acclaim.

The spiritual undercurrents of the isles, the friendly locals and the Mediterranean landscapes are the essential ingredients which make the Hebridean Celtic Festival such a sweet dish. Add to that the ‘cherry on the top with a delicious mix of international acts and local talent and you have a bona-fide masterpiece on your hands.

This year will be my fourth Heb Celtic experience and each year brings with it new sprinkles of surprise and delivers hour after hour, day after day of breathtaking performances to the excited mob. Last year I specifically returned home to the Island for the Festival and took the weekend off from my bar job in the smoky urban monster that is Glasgow.

I was accompanied by six brave fools, all virgins to the festival and to the isles, enticed by the promise of a unique experience … oh and the promise that magic mushrooms grew in abundance on my croft at home. After a few hours spent knocking back ‘the water of life’, I led my jovial troop onwards to the Castle Grounds and to the wall of yellow that besieges all entrances to the area.

Security is tight – heartbreakingly, they stripped us of our aluminium friends and sent us onwards to the canvas giant, wherein lay our evening’s destiny. As we took our spot the first act began and a roar filled the tent. I cast a glance to each of my merry companions who, like me, stood in open-mouthed and starry-eyed wonderment at the majesty of the occasion.

Believe the hype, it truly is extraordinary. Six hours of foot-tapping, partner swinging mayhem captivated us along with the several hundred islanders and adopted islanders in attendance that rejoiced in the epic musical experience, escalating into peaks of inspiration and glory. Many new friends were made and a new appreciation of home and Celtic culture was born in me all those years ago on my festival debut, as it was in my Glaswegian posse last year.

I can not acclaim the event high enough and this year I shall be exposing two American friends to the nuclear atmosphere. I can guarantee that once bitten by the Hebridean Celtic bug, there is no return. Like Spiderman, you’ll never be the same again.

© An Sgadan Robach, 2003