A massive 25 per cent increase in attendance figures has been announced by the Hebridean Celtic Festival in the wake of its 2005 event.

The Hebridean Celtic Festival, with headline acts Van Morrison, Runrig and Shooglenifty, recorded almost 17,000 attendances for its four day run (13th-16th July), covering its Stornoway and wider community events.

The figures reveal that the festival came very close to an across the board sell-out and the 25 per cent increase is up on 2004, which itself was a record year for the event’s attendances.

Other key figures showed that 44 per cent of audiences were made up of visitors to the Western Isles; 67 per cent of bookings were made online; over 71 per cent of the audiences came from the 16-44 age range; almost 10 per cent of audiences were children under the age of 16; and, demonstrating the festival’s wide appeal, nearly 20 per cent of attendees were in the 45-65 age bracket.

News of the figures comes as the festival announces its new dates for next year, and the 2006 Hebridean Celtic Festival will run from the 12th-15th July.

Caroline MacLennan, Festival Director, said: "These figures are impressive and are a real indicator of the festival’s popularity. We believe the music, the setting and the community’s support are the key ingredients and we are grateful for the wide levels of support we receive.”