The winners of the Hebridean Celtic Festival competition for aspiring journalists, supported by HAIL and Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE), are announced today (Wednesday 28 June 2006).

They are Sarah Hunter (24) from Edinburgh, and Susan Szymborski (23) from Evanton in Ross-shire.

Caroline MacLennan, the Festival Director, said: “The quantity and quality of candidates who entered for the competition was amazing. We truly had an exception list of entrants to choose from. Sarah and Susan were the unanimous choices of the judges which says a lot about them, considering the competition.

“We would like to have extended the opportunity to many more people but unfortunately that wasn’t possible. We’re now looking forward to having Sarah and Susan join us at the festival. We would like to thank everyone who entered and made the competition one of such high quality.

“We are very grateful for the fantastic support we have had from HAIL and HIE; their backing has created a superb learning opportunity and has helped the festival to raise its profile further.”

Iain Hamilton, Senior Development Manager, Creative Industries for HIE, said: “With HAIL we are continually seeking out ways in which we can help to develop the music industry in particular. This competition has also enabled us to provide training and learning opportunities in journalism whilst raising the profile of the area and the Hebridean Celtic Festival. Our congratulations to Sarah and Susan on succeeding against very tough competition.”
Both Sarah and Susan were extremely pleased to have been chosen and both are now looking forward to visiting the Outer Hebrides for the first time. Said Susan: “It’s really exciting and a fantastic opportunity. I’m hoping to go to the Scottish School of Journalism in March of next year and this will really help with my application.”

The competition is also supported by BBC Radio Scotland The Radio Café and www.tradmusic.com . The winners were announced on The Radio Café, while work written by Sarah and Susan will also be published on the tradmusic.com website.