Tiree Music Festival delivers £1.6m boost to island economy
The Tiree Music Festival generated an estimated £1.6 million for the island’s economy in 2024, marking the highest economic impact in the event’s 15-year history.
The figures come from a newly published economic impact assessment by MKA Economics, commissioned by the festival’s organisers. The report also shows that since 2010, the festival has contributed around £11 million to Tiree’s local economy - a significant return for an island with a permanent population of just over 650 residents.
A small festival with an outsized impact
Held each summer, the Tiree Music Festival temporarily more than triples the island’s population, bringing visitors from across Scotland and further afield. While modest in scale compared to mainland events, the festival has become a cornerstone of Tiree’s calendar and a vital driver for local businesses, accommodation providers, and ferry services.
Artistic director Daniel Gillespie said the festival has always been intentionally kept small, but acknowledged its growing influence, describing it as an event that “punches above its weight”.
Music rooted in place
Set close to the beach, Tiree Music Festival is as much about atmosphere as it is about the line-up. The programme blends traditional and contemporary music, with past performers including Julie Fowlis, The Fratellis, Toploader, and Sandi Thom.
The 15th anniversary festival will take place from 10 to 12 July, with the line-up still to be announced.
Why this matters for Tiree
Beyond the headline figure, the report highlights the festival's growing importance to the island’s wider economy. For many local businesses, it’s one of the most reliable and welcome weekends of the year, helping support jobs and extend the season without overwhelming the community.
As conversations around sustainable tourism continue across Scotland’s islands, Tiree Music Festival often comes up as a good example of how events can stay community-focused, carefully scaled, and genuinely beneficial - both culturally and economically.
