Tiree Music Festival CIC (TMF), led by directors Stewart MacLennan and Daniel Gillespie, has made a huge contribution to rural Scotland since its inception. It has brought £8 million of economic value to Tiree over 11 festivals. It has given many young musicians opportunities that have helped to further their careers. It has also given young people from Tiree the opportunity to perform and take part in the festival. The tourism impact on the island is also significant, with 97% of festival goers saying they would return for a holiday.
TMF is more than just a music festival. It is a true island adventure in one of the most breathtaking locations in the world. For years Tiree local and Skerryvore musician Daniel Gillespie found himself performing at festivals around the world and thinking how great it would be to have a similar event back home. Until one day he and fellow Tiree local Stewart MacLennan decided to create just that. Their early vision was of a music festival that would share the magic and beauty of Tiree with visitors from far and wide, providing a welcome boost to the economy and community of this remote island. That was back in 2010, and it resulted in a sold-out 600-capacity pilot event. In the years since, thanks in no small part to an army of volunteers and a loyal following, TMF has produced consecutive sell-outs since its inception, and has also won 10 national awards, including Best Small Event at the Scottish Event Awards (2012, 2013 & 2016), Best Cultural Event at the Highland & Island Tourism Awards (2013 & 2015) and Scottish Thistle Awards (2013). Event of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards (2013), Best Small Event at the UK Event Awards 2014. Proof, if ever it was needed, that small can be beautiful.
The festival has created opportunities for local children to take part in the festival - something they have never had before. It has also created opportunities for local businesses to work with the festival for fringe events or to provide catering/drinks etc as part of the festival, as well as opportunities for young up and coming artists to take to the stage - for example Britain's Got Talent semi-finalist Cammy Barnes performed there last year when she was relatively unknown. TMF's achievements are many, but none more so than the fact that they have delivered 11 successful festivals and are sure to deliver more. TMF has done so much for the island of Tiree and the Scottish music scene. It has certainly put Tiree 'on the map' and has made a real contribution to the island's economy and tourism in Argyll.