The Eilean Dorcha Festival has delivered a £2 million boost to the local economy since its inception in 2016, according to latest research.
The Benbecula event is growing more popular every year, showing increased attendances
for the fourth year in succession.
The two-
Irish Country music star, Nathan Carter, headlined this summer’s event, along with
Skerryvore, Trail West, local favourites Beinn Lee and a host of others.
An economic
impact assessment by MKA Economics of Stirling, reveals an estimated £621,334 visitor
spend for this summer -
EDF development manager, Roddy MacKay, described it as “a fantastic achievement.”
He added: “While we knew that the Eilean Dorcha Festival was a big success, we have
been blown away by the economist's findings.
“This research demonstrates the power
that communities have when they pull together to imagine a positive, more ambitious
future.”
A total of 3,876 people attended the festival over the weekend, a 15% increase
on 2018.
Half were local to the Hebrides, with the rest from mainland Scotland and
all over the world.
Almost 90% of visitors arrived by ferry and indicated that they
would return to visit the island at a different time of year.
Mr MacKay said: “Our
priority is always to put on a great show that the island can be proud of.
“As well
as offering a fantastic musical show, we also want to make sure we offer fun activities
for individuals of all ages.
We are very proud that, for just a £10 weekend ticket,
all children of primary school age can enjoy our onsite activities free of charge
and anyone under five years of age receives free admission.
“It lends to a great family-
To know we attracted a record crowd once again
with the vast majority rating the festival experience as either very good or excellent
is extremely pleasing.
“It is our ambition to keep building on our success, to enhance the festival experience
even further, and to make the Eilean Dorcha Festival an unmissable occasion as part
of a must-
“To be shortlisted for the UK Small Festival of the Year
by the National Outdoor Event Awards is an added bonus and recognition that we must
be doing something right.”
Eilean Dorcha Festival clocks up £2 million boost for local economy
18 October 2019
