Sat 25th July
Stornoway Airport (Parkend access)
£5 admission
¼ MILE DRAG RACE
Stornoway Cruise
Local economy hits Celtic Festival 14/7/09
The credit crunch is sounding a sour note for the Hebridean Celtic Festival taking place on Lewis this week.
The dire local economy has hit ticket sales with many islanders apparently reluctant to spend money in the light of a series of job losses and uncertain conditions.
For the first time in its 14-
The influx of tourists mean the population of Stornoway will virtually double this week.
The is a mad scramble for tourist accommodation with thousands arriving on Lewis to attend the festival which starts on Wednesday night.
Boosted by cheap fares thanks to the road equivalent tariff scheme most ferry sailings are fully booked over the main period and an appeal has been issued to locals to help provide extra bed space.
Guest houses from even miles outside the town are reporting bumper numbers and campsites are mowing grass to make more space for tents.
A number of festival goers are camping out on any spare scrap of land while there seems to be more camper vans than normal arriving off the ferry.
But it has emerged that overall ticket sales are sluggish as less locals are supporting the event.
Even though prices are frozen to last year’s level many islanders are suffering in the poor island economy which has experienced heavy job losses in salmon processing, construction, and Harris Tweed industries.
Festival spokesman Peter Kane said: “The festival is not immune to the recession. This year we may find it difficult.
“Visitor numbers are doing very well and we have people coming from as far as Australia and Europe specifically for the festival.
“But we would like to see more locals turning up. This is the first time we have experienced a fall in islanders. It is probably the effect of the credit crunch and local job loses.
Michael Mackenzie who runs Macleod B&B in Newton Street Stornoway said: “We are very busy. We have nine people sharing four rooms this week. Its our busiest period with most coming on Wednesday.
He had a booking cancellation earlier this month which was filled almost immediately.
Christine Macintosh of Heb Hostel said she had been fully booked since March.
She said: “We have 26 beds but an extra two people are on camp beds. Some are staying
for just one night but their bunk is being booked by others. There’s phone calls
and e-
Anyone with unbooked accommodation to offer should contact the VisitScotland office on 01851 703088.