The Hebridean Celtic Music festival was still to create havoc and blow a fresh life into Stornoway harbour when the Hebridean Boat Festival got up early and started early on Monday 14th July. Both Marquees for the respective festivals were beginning to take shape that morning, one a bit bigger than the other but they were still both nothing but piles of poles and canvas as the Sailing in the City trailer rolled onto the concrete at Cuddy Point that morning. Two sleepy instructors from SITC were in tow along with an SI from the local council authority. Their home for the week was to be the slipway at Cuddy point, which sits between the inner and outer parts of Stornoway harbour, nestled in the lee of Lews Castle. The point has one distinguishing feature, ... HUGE seals. A little more swimming and a little less eating might be in order here if you’re listening guys. Maybe people could throw the fish a little farther when their feeding the seals. Take a little responsibility when feeding animals, it's a serious business.

Anyway a good week was had by all, with a variety of sailing abilities complemented by a variety of sailing activities. Specifically everyone got very wet! The support from the local community was first class and any problems encountered were swiftly resolved.

It all got serious on the Saturday with the running of the TAZ RACE. Entrants competed in 3 races round a triangular course, with some impressive sailing being demonstrated by the competitors. There has been talk of the Western Isles entering a sailing team in the island games at some point, so watch this space.

The boat festival was attended by a number of yachts, which by all accounts had a good series of races. I especially liked the gaff rigged boat with an accordion player playing on the bow that came in before some of the faster yachts after racing one day. Asking no questions there.

By the time the music festival had started on the Wednesday the sailing had become a regular scene on the harbour and with the sailing during the day and the music at night Stornoway was a very nice place to be in the 3rd week of July this summer.