Outer Hebrides Information
General Information about Outer Hebrides: Festivals
Festivals | Things to Do | How St Kilda was Killed Off
As the heartland of Gaelic culture, the Outer Hebrides are host to many music events throughout the year, ranging from a spontaneous ceilidh to one of the three local mods. Mods usually consist of three days of competition in piping, singing, instrumental music, drama and poetry, and are an opportunity to see the best of the local talent. More information can be obtained from An Comunn Gaidhealach, Tel. 01851-703487. Also listed below are the various Highland Games and agricultural shows, where you can also see piping competitions and Highland dancing.
- Late March: Feis nan Coisir, Stornoway, Lewis.
- 1st Friday in April: Donald Macleod Memorial Piping Competition, Stornoway, Lewis.
- May-June: Highland Festival, held in various locations.
- Early June: Harris Mod, Tarbert, Harris.
- 2nd week in June: Lewis Mod, Stornoway, Lewis.
- Mid June: Uist Mod, Iochdar, South Uist.
- May-June: Lochmaddy Boat Festival, Lochmaddy, North Uist.
- Mid July: Berneray Week, Bearnaraigh (Berneray), North Uist.
- July: Ceolas Music School, South Uist.
- Early July (2 weeks): Barra Festival.
- Early/mid July (1 week): Feis Tir an Eorna, Paibeil, North Uist; *Barra Highland Games, Borgh (Borve), Barra.
- 11-14 July: Hebridean Celtic Music Festival, Stornoway, Lewis.
- Mid July: North Uist Highland Games, Hosta, North Uist.
- Mid/late July: Harris Gala; South Uist Highland Games, Aisgeirnis (Askernish), South Uist; Lewis Highland Games, Tong, Lewis.
- Mid July: Barra Highland Games.
- 3rd week July: Harris Festival
- Late July: Barra Live, Barra; West Side Agricultural Show, Barabhas (Barvas), Lewis; South Uist Agricultural Show, Iochdar, South Uist; *South Harris Agricultural Show, Leverburgh, Harris.
- July: Feis Eilean an Fhraoich, Stornoway, Lewis.
- Late July/early August: North Uist Agricultural Show, Hosta, North Uist.
- Early August: Carloway Agricultural Show, Càrlabhagh (Carloway), Lewis; Fies Tir a Mhurain, Lionacleit, Benbecula; Lewis Carnival, Stornoway; Fish Festival, Stornoway; Twin Peaks Hill Race, North Uist.
- 2nd week August: Harris Arts Festival, Tarbert.