Skippinish headlining EDF last night. © Am Pàipear
Eilean Dorcha Festival (EDF) got off to a rocking start last night with more than 1000 revellers enjoying a sensational evening of music, dance, food and drink…
Following years of planning and a colossal volunteer effort setting-up over the past week, Benbecula’s first music festival got underway on Liniclate machair last night.
Alex MacDonald & Friends (above) opened EDF. © Am Pàipear
Skippinish headlined yesterday’s exceptional evening of entertainment, topping a bill that included Vatersay Boys, Trail West, ABBA A RIVAL, Fatlips and local group Alex MacDonald & Friends.
EDF is sold out with some 3000 people expected over the course of the two-day event. Local residents are being joined by many people from the mainland and around the world for the festival.
Pirates ahoy! This hen party travelled from Inverness to EDF. © Am Pàipear
Festivalgoers snapping memories to look back on. © Am Pàipear
Music performed last night varied from the impromptu ceilidh session kicked off by AlexMacDonald & Friends to the rock classics performed by Fatlips. ABBA tribute band ABBA A RIVAL warmed up the crowd with a selection of the hits of the Swedish icons, before Trail West, Vatersay Boys and Skippinish gave the night a rousing send-off.
Fatlips got the EDF crowd rocking. © Am Pàipear
ABBA A RIVAL got the crowd buzzing. © Am Pàipear
Trail West were the first of three trad bands to headline last night. © Am Pàipear
As well as the main tent, the EDF site includes spaces for stalls and merchandise sales, fairground rides and several mobile food stalls.
Helen MacLean and Sarah MacEachen manning the merchandise stall. © Am Pàipear
Doors open again today (Saturday 30th July) at midday, with lots of family fun promised throughout the afternoon.
Today will see Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band, Ceilidh Trail, Angel, Alex, Chris McGill, The Shed, Uist Pipe Band, Beinn Lee Ceilidh Band, Chunks, The Tailormade, Resurrection, Stop the Clocks take to the stage.
Former frontman for RunRig, Donnie Munro and his band, will headline tonight.
Look out for more pictures and details in the next edition of Am Pàipear.