A number of young Scottish musicians are to have the opportunity to perform for festival audiences through a new cultural exchange agreement between two leading Celtic music events.

The Hebridean Celtic Festival, based in Stornoway, has forged partnership links with Ireland's Celtic Fusion event, staged in County Down, Northern Ireland.

One of the results of this collaboration is an agreement to have young musicians from each of the festival areas play at their partner's event. The initiative has been supported by the LEADER + programme and the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund.

The Hebridean Celtic Festival's Scottish representatives are Teine, a new all girl, Lewis-based traditional group with a growing reputation for excellence.

Caroline MacLennan, Festival Director: "This exchange will further develop the musical potential of the respective musicians, assist the development of their musical abilities and serve to increase their confidence.

"It will also lead to a sharing of culture through the music, serving to further raise awareness of the unique Gaelic language of the Hebrides, and to promote greater understanding of the cultural diversities of the respective areas.

"We must also thank individual families who will host our visitors. Their help makes the project so much more feasible."

Sharon O'Connor for Celtic Fusion said: "We are delighted to be associated with the Hebridean Celtic Festival.  For us the purpose of our event is to celebrate the cultural relationships of Celtic music across the world.  We want to give people reasons to visit us and in so doing create performance and development opportunities for musicians.
 
"We are looking forward to welcoming Teine who come so highly commended to our festival, our musicians are also young people steeped in local culture and traditional musicianship."