In pictures: Western Isles' HebCelt music festival

Nati has her eyes closed as she sings into a microphone and plays a guitar. She has curly hair down to her shoulders. The stage inside the festival's big top is blue and pink.HebCelt

Fife singer-songwriter Nati was among the acts on the opening day of HebCelt.

The Hebridean Music Festival - HebCelt - has opened in Stornoway on Lewis.

About 17,000 music fans are expected to attend over the weekend, with headline acts performing in the event's big top tent.

Scottish pop icon Lulu, singer-songwriter Eddi Reader and Highlands folk pop band Tide Lines are performing.

There has also been a special appearance by Gaelic children's TV legend Donnie Dòtaman.

A child leans against a metal barrier inside the festival's big top tent. Smiling broadly, the child is wearing ear defenders and is lit up in a pink glow from lights on the stage, which is not visible in the picture. In the background is a man in a blue t-shirt and is slightly out of focus.HebCelt

The festival has attracted music fans of all ages.

The pipe bands are outdoors and are being led by a drum major across an area of grass. The pipers and drummers are wearing kilts of green, blue and grey tartans. They wear Tam o' Shanters on their heads and wear black shirts, black waistcoats over either green or maroon ties.HebCelt

Pipe band tunes are feature of the festival, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022.

Tide Lines guitarist plays chords while strumming on his electric guitar. He has short hair and stubble on his face. The words "HebCelt" are just visible on a wall behind him in blue lettering. The guitarist is bathed in a purple/pink light.HebCelt

Highlands-based band Tide Lines were on the opening day's line-up on Thursday.

People in the crowd have their arms raised and there is a woman on the shoulders of another person. The picture is taken looking into the back of the crowd and the whole scene is bathed in blue light.HebCelt

Tide Lines' crowd enjoying the band's tunes in the festival's big top.

Reader is wearing glasses and her curly red hair is down over her shoulders. She is wearing a hat and a bright red outfit with gold trim. She has her eyes closed as she sings in a microphone on a stand. Reader plays a guitar and is lit up by bright stage lights behind her.HebCelt

Eddi Reader performing on the main stage.

Two band members of Cala stand facing each other. One, with long blonde, shoulder-length hair and wearing a black t-shirt plays a flute while the other, who has brown hair and wearing a sparkly black shirt, plays a fiddle.HebCelt

Highlands band Cala in full flow at HebCelt.

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