Eilean Dorcha Festival (EDF), the weekend music festival held in a spectacular beach-side
setting on the Isle of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides, continues to go from strength to
strength, bouncing back from its enforced two-year Covid break with an extra night and a
£1m boost to the local economy.
This year’s three-day festival, held in July, was headlined by Scotland’s number one DJ
George Bowie, performing his acclaimed GBX show; Skerryvore and local favourites, Beinn
Lee and Trail West.
A record crowd attended the event while an economic impact study carried out by MKA Economics of Stirling revealed a 61% boost in visitor spend to £999,845, described by the festival’s Development Manager, Roddy MacKay as “a remarkable result given the challenges faced in the return from Covid.
“We could see during the weekend that the festival was a big success, but we have been
blown away by the economic findings,” said Roddy.
“The study demonstrates the power communities have when they pull together to organise
an event that helps build a positive, ambitious future, and that was particularly relevant this
year after a last-minute hitch when the tent suppliers pulled out.
Suddenly we had to rearrange the full event from indoor to outdoor at the last minute. A
call went out for assistance, and the community came to the rescue in their droves.
It meant a change of stage, sound, lighting, a new event safety plan, everything. It
effectively meant a completely new event had to be drawn up in a week but, somehow, we
managed to pull it off and people clearly enjoyed themselves.
We would particularly like to thank SUAS, Ceòlas, DJ Buchanan Haulage, MacInnes Bros, MacAulay’s Askernish, Laing Brothers, Nevis Range, TMF, CODA Production Services, Security Scotland and our sponsors MOWI, Ask Car Hire, CalMac and Loganair who all, in the circumstances, went above and beyond to ensure the event was a great success.
We did fall victim to the weather on the Saturday, leading to a delayed 6pm start, but it
certainly didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the festival-goers and once again everyone
danced the night away and got home safely afterwards.”
Nicknamed the ‘Friendly Festival’ by visitors, EDF also caters for young people.
“We are very proud that, for just a £10 weekend ticket, children of primary school age can
enjoy not just the music, but a variety of fun activities, while anyone under five years
receives free admission. It lends to a great family-friendly atmosphere,” said Roddy.
“In addition to the overall family experience, it is important that EDF delivers a substantial
economic benefit for local businesses,” he added, “but to achieve an economic boost of
£1m for the area in our first festival post-Covid is something we are incredibly proud of and a return of 14:1 for every pound received in public funding is particulary pleasing.
It is our ambition to keep building on our success, to enhance the festival experience even
further, and to make Eilean Dorcha Festival an unmissable occasion as part of a must-visit
destination.”