Mud, inglorious mud, has been the prevailing theme at most of this summer's outdoor music events. But there have been no similar problems with the weather during the HebCelt Festival, which has attracted a stellar line-up to Stornoway.
The Proclaimers are on the programme, as are The Waterboys, and, while the elements have been apocalyptic elsewhere in Scotland, the Western Isles has the opposite problem at the moment, with drought warnings following unusually dry weather.
Yet that hasn't deterred the throng of visitors to Stornoway, nor diminished the enthusiasm of performers at the extravaganza, including one half of the Proclaimers, Charlie Reid.
"The festival has a great reputation, the setting is so good and it's a great area to go to," said Reid. "There are certain festivals which get people talking and the HebCelt is one of these, even down in the central belt in Scotland.
"Over the last few years, a lot of festivals have tanked, because there are just so many of them now. So it's great to hear that the HebCelt is expanding and moving forward."
Craig and Charlie have been enthusiastic champions of the event, which is continuing to expand, despite the depressing financial climate. The organisers have laid on a second stage, in the grounds of Lews Castle, and with more than 20 acts at the main arena on Friday and Saturday, the success of the HebCelt is a testimony to such hard-working individuals as the festival director, Caroline MacLennan.
We have doubled the number of main-site acts, with the festivities kicking off at 2pm on both days," said MacLennan. " We are delighted to have The Waterboys and The Proclaimers with us again, because they have been massive crowd-pullers in the past."
It used to be that festival-goers wouldn't stray beyond the confines of Edinburgh or T in the Park. But the flourishing rise of the HebCelt pageant proves that, in common with the headline act, many fans are prepared to walk 500 miles to be part of the action.
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