BY DANIEL CULLEN
The Free Press were among the festival-goers who descended on the Lump in Portree in their thousands last weekend as Skye Live returned for another hugely successful three-day celebration of traditional, electronic and alternative music.
Running from Thursday 7th May until Saturday 9th May, this year’s festival once again transformed the Meall into one of Scotland’s most spectacular live music venues – with sunshine, packed crowds and an energetic line-up helping create a memorable atmosphere throughout the weekend.
The top attraction of Thursday evening were Beluga Lagoon – returning to headline Thursday’s event after performing at last year’s festival – whose emotional indie-folk set had the crowd singing along from the outset. Legendary Scottish singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean also opened for Beluga Lagoon, delivering a stirring rendition of his hit song ‘Caledonia’ that proved to be one of the weekend’s highlights
Friday’s programme saw Mànran deliver a triumphant headline set after strong performances – in chilly conditions – from An Dannsa Dub, Breabach, MAL, Low Light Listening Lounge, all after Josie Duncan took to the stage to open the day’s performances.
Saturday featured a strong local lineup, with several Skye bands performing as crowds gathered from early afternoon to see Donald and Peigi Barker and Dana before El Sartel, looking the festival part in their Maradona-inspired Staffin FC football tops, delivered a memorable set.
Some full-throttle music from TRIP was then followed by Belfast-based band Huartan – taking to the stage in striking outfits including masks and a large ram’s skull – before LUSA and RURA raised the intensity heading into the evening.
Trail West brought the main stage programme to a close in perfect sing-along style in front of a packed crowd, rounding off another successful year for the festival in a way that few others can.
Meanwhile, the iconic Tower Stage once again proved hugely popular with festival-goers with various acts performing across the weekend and late into Saturday night, including extended sets from Spencer and Sebastian Rodgers, as well as the Skye Live DJs.
Since launching more than a decade ago, Skye Live has established itself as one of Scotland’s most distinctive festivals, blending traditional Highland music with contemporary electronic and alternative acts.
The 11th iteration of the festival saw another successful weekend completed and strong crowds attending across all three days, as well as at this year’s ‘fringe’ events – which included the superb Niteworks documentary ‘Solas na Maidne’ and a mini-cèilidh for families.
As the festival drew to a close, local band El Sartel summed up the festival in simple but effective fashion when they posted: “Skye Live Festival 2026. Some weekend that.”
