Western Isles' HebCelt to reduce single-use plastic

HebCelt has previously taken action to reduce plastic waste at its site

The Hebridean Celtic Festival has announced plans to further reduce single-use plastic items at its site this summer.

Stornoway-based HebCelt banned plastic straws four years ago and in 2015 introduced re-usable, eco-cups in on-site bars to cut down on plastic waste.

This year, it has asked caterers to try to cut out completely their use of the plastic items.

The festival's acts will also be offered water bottles.

It is hoped this will avoid the need of bands and other acts to bring water in plastic bottles to the site.

Bands playing at HebCelt this summer include Niteworks

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has applauded the festival's efforts.

She said: "I welcome HebCelt's steps to ban single use plastic items.

"It's good to see communities and organisations across Scotland taking steps to help change Scotland's throwaway culture and I would encourage other organisations to follow HebCelt's example and consider what they can do to reduce single use plastics."

HebCelt will run from 18-21 July.

This year's acts include Glasgow band The Fratellis, also Deacon Blue, Eddi Reader, Roddy Woomble and bands Niteworks, Dante and TRIP and Country singer Martha L Healy.