Cara Dillon is the latest star name to be added to the Hebridean Celtic Festival’s biggest ever line-up this summer. 

The Irish songstress, a former Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year, will perform on the festival’s main stage on Friday, 18 July. Cajun four-piece Magnolia Sisters, from the US; alternative folk rock band Dante, from Edinburgh; London based Sean Taylor & Danny Thompson; Paisley singer songwriter Michael Cassidy; Edinburgh country rock act The Wynntown Marshals and Scottish trad outfit The Scott Wood Band and Kinross six-piece Sienna are also amongst the latest acts confirmed to play. 

They are part of HebCelt’s impressive main arena programme which is announced today (thur), as day tickets go on sale. 

The 19^th HebCelt will be held from 16-19 July in Stornoway in the island of Lewis. In all, more than 30 acts will feature over four days in the festival arena, with further concerts to be announced at An Lanntair arts centre and in rural venues. 

In another development for the award-winning event, a new acoustic stage is being added for the first time with four intimate slots for artists on both the Friday and Saturday of HebCelt.  

Festival director Caroline Maclennan said: “We are delighted Cara will be part of this year’s festival. She is an outstanding singer who adds yet more quality to an already outstanding line-up. 

“The acoustic stage is something new and different for us and is driven by our desire to offer as wide and diverse a programme as possible for our audience. I am sure people will find it an interesting addition.” 

Former Runrig frontman Donnie Munro headlines Thursday’s programme which also includes Paisley singer/songwriter Michael Cassidy and Rachel Sermanni, originally from Carrbridge.    

On Friday, Cara Dillon, will join Main Stage headliners Big Country, internationally renowned fiddler Duncan Chisholm, Edinburgh based act The Wynntown Marshals and Glasgow group This Silent Forest. 

The Islands Stage will welcome Canadian band Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys; experimental new five-piece Metta; Mànran frontman Norrie Maciver; The Wynntown Marshals; the Scott Wood Band, whose frontman was a finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year competition last year and is currently a member of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers; and Ceòl Na Cloinne, a group of musicians and singers from Harris originally brought together by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Community Learning and Development Service. 

Award-winning folk rock band Levellers top Saturday’s Main Stage bill which also includes Sienna, Galway quartet We Banjo 3 and Lewis music collective Willie Campbell and the Open Day Rotation. 

On the Islands Stage, 16-year-old Lewis singer/songwriter Eleanor Nicolson will be joined by Scottish duo Hunter & The Bear; and Edinburgh-born songwriter Ross Wilson (aka Blue Rose Code); and Sean Taylor & Danny Thompson, which sees one of the hottest new names in the UK blues/acoustic scene team up with veteran bassist Danny Thompson, a founder member of folk rock band Pentangle. 

Singer/songwriters Miss Irenie Rose, from Lewis, and Adam Holmes, from Edinburgh, are the first acts to be confirmed for the acoustic stage. 

Caroline Maclennan added: “HebCelt is all about giving our audience the chance to see the best traditional and contemporary music in our unique island setting, while also providing a platform for young local musicians to showcase their talents. Our 2014 programme delivers all that.” 

Headliner Donnie Munro supported that view: “When a festival like HebCelt attracts international artists it creates an excitement locally. But it also helps develop the potential of young musicians and writers in the community. 

“So there is a two-way process, a mirror and a window, which helps create an international reputation, not only for the festival, but also for artists in the area.” 

*Day tickets for Thursday 17 July cost £26 (£20 concessions) and for Friday and Saturday £35 (£27 concessions).

*Weekend main arena tickets are priced at £79 (£61 concessions).

Tickets for 6-14 year olds start at £5 and under 5s go free.

For more information and ticket links click here.