A major music festival has announced increased ticket sales and revenue in what is the latest in a long line of record-breaking performances.

The four-day Hebridean Celtic Festival (HCF) is staged annually in Stornoway in the Western Isles during July. This year it attracted over 10,000 people with visitors from over 39 countries. Ticket sales were up 20 per cent on last year's figure which in itself was a record.

On-line bookings reached the figure of 13,000 which represented an increase of 86 per cent and revenue also increased by 23 per cent. The influx of festival-goers from countries as far away as the USA, Canada, Iran, Australia and Uzbekistan, also led to all accommodation in Stornoway and the surrounding area being totally sold out.

HCF Director, Caroline MacLennan, said: "These figures prove that the festival is now one of the top attractions for locals and visitors in the Highlands and Islands. Each year we have improved our ticket and revenue performance but this year has seen our figures go through the roof.

"With so many visitors from around the world and performers from many different countries, the festival is truly international. We look forward to the festival having a continued positive impact on the economy and culture of the Highlands and Islands in general and the Western Isles in particular."

The festival stages a series of top musical acts in a marquee in the grounds of Lews Castle and was headlined this year by The Waterboys.

Hebridean Celtic Festival website

The Hebridean Celtic Festival is supported by the following organisations:

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Western Isles Enterprise, Scottish Arts Council, LEADER+, Comunn na Gaidhlig, Caledonian MacBrayne, Tennents, Iomairt Cholm Cille, Artysans, Scottish Water and Scottish & Southern Energy plc.