Folk Festival misses out on Best Cultural Event Award

The Orkney Folk Festival has missed out on a Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards in Inverness tonight, with the award for Best Cultural Event/Festival going to the Tiree Music Festival.

The Best Cultural Event category celebrates events which include, inspire and involve all guests, whether local or visiting and provide a platform for Scotland to show off its greatest features.

Commenting on the result, Craig Corse, from the festival committee, said: “”Whilst we obviously would have liked to bring the trophy home to Orkney, we’re delighted to have received even a nomination for this
prestigious award.

“Such recognition, and especially from the tourism sector, really means a lot to the festival team.

“This year the festival sold more than 6,000 tickets for the first time, smashing all box office records. All those folk have to stay, eat and, I daresay, drink somewhere, so even to be shortlisted is recognition of the festival’s huge contribution to the wider Orkney community and economy.

“It’s especially gratifying when everyone who works on the event – be it on the board year-round, or with a book of raffle tickets at a country ceilidh – is a volunteer.

“We all do what we do for the love of bringing world-class folk music to Orkney, and the vibe that brings to Stromness and the isles. To have audiences return, year after year, often booking out
accommodation months before we’ve announced who’s playing, really is testament to that unmistakable festival atmosphere.

“The festival’s audiences are as huge a part of that, though – so we must say a massive thank-you to each and every one of them. Cheers!”