22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
SSEN announced as major sponsor for HebCelt Festival 2025
The agreement forms part of the electricity transmission network operator's commitment to supporting local communities across the Highlands and islands as part of its £20 billion investment to upgrade the high-voltage transmission network in the north of Scotland.
As part of the partnership, SSEN Transmission will have a strong presence at this year's festival, which takes place in and around Stornoway in Lewis from June 16-19. It will be headlined by Skerryvore, Tide Lines and Lulu.
Other acts on the bill include Eddi Reader, Nina Nesbitt, Kassidy, Beluga Lagoon, Trail West, Laura Silverstone, Josie Duncan, The Tumbling Souls, and Donnie Dòtaman.
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Festival-goers will be able to visit SSEN Transmission's information and fan hub on Castle Green, where the team will be on hand to talk about major infrastructure projects, including plans for the 'Lewis Hub' a proposed new substation and converter station that is a key part of its Western Isles Connection Project.
The project will see the installation of a subsea HVDC transmission cable that will connect Lewis to the GB electricity grid for the first time.
HebCelt festival operations co-ordinator Carol Ferguson, said: 'SSEN Transmission's commitment to our community is incredibly welcome and aligns perfectly with HebCelt's ethos.
'Their recognition of the value of live music and the cultural heartbeat of our islands is something we deeply appreciate."
Colin Bell, SSEN Transmission's lead project manager for the Lewis Hub project, said: 'We are delighted to sponsor the HebCelt Festival and lend our support to this much-loved and hugely popular highlight in the cultural calendar of the islands.'
'We're looking forward to engaging with people at this year's festival, and sharing the enjoyment of what promises to be another entertaining event drawing visitors from across the world.'
Last year's HebCelt drew more than 17,800 attendees, with the average visitor staying for eight days in Lewis and Harris. According to post-event research, 67% of festival-goers cited HebCelt as the primary reason for their trip, highlighting its pivotal role in the local economy.
Thanks to a three-year funding package from Creative Scotland, HebCelt is now looking ahead to its milestone 30th anniversary in 2027 and is looking for other high-calibre sponsorship partners.
