DAY ONE: THE first day of Heb Celt starts off in the Ceilidh Place in Ullapool – a quick cup of coffee and then down to the Ferry terminal to catch the 9.30 ferry across.

Mary Ann Kennedy and Na Seòid had a warm up gig in Ullapool on Tuesday night in preparation for the opening concert. All went well, so we are raring to go.

A packed out ferry terminal paints the picture of what we can expect to be a busy Stornoway over the next few days, and you can sense the buzz of the festival!

A great journey across and we get into Stornoway as Niall Iain Macdonald is heading out from number 1 pier.

This was the cur for Tormod, Angus and Griogair (Na Seòid) to head out on deck and strike up the pipes and play him 'Crossing the Minch' as we passed him leaving harbor.

We get into the Lanntair and drop off all our gear before a quick lunch and then onto the Festival Office for a Caithream Ciùil interview and short performance.

Then onto the Lanntair for soundcheck where we met the crowd leaving from Mary (Smith) and Julie (Fowlis)'s afternoon concert ( and it was evident that all had thoroughly enjoyed an hour of great singing!

Mike in the Lanntair is right on the ball and the soundcheck goes very smoothly. I then managed to drag my parents away from the circus acts and we make a mad dash for home to get ready, have some food, and head back up for the concert.

I made it on time, so that's a good start!

The concert went really well with a great crowd in the Lanntair. A lovely atmosphere and afterwards it was great to catch up with old friends and meet some visitors of the Festival.

Skipinnish got a great dance going and I even managed a Scottische and a military two-step – not as fit as I was!

So Day One went by in a flash and now onto Day Two which will involve a trip to Taransay and then back into Stornoway at night!