More than 200 volunteers will help ensure this year's Hebridean Celtic Festival runs smoothly as thousands of visitors prepare to descend on Stornoway later this month.

The four-day festival, which takes place in the grounds of Lews Castle from July 15 to 18, has become one of the biggest events in the Western Isles calendar, attracting music fans from across Scotland and overseas while providing a significant boost to the local economy.

Organisers rely heavily on volunteers to help deliver the festival each year, with people travelling from across the UK and beyond to assist with a wide range of roles. Their contribution has long been recognised as one of the key reasons behind HebCelt's continued success.

The festival is also expected to provide a welcome boost for local businesses, with accommodation providers, restaurants, shops and transport operators benefiting from the influx of visitors. Last year's event is estimated to have contributed more than £4 million to the Lewis economy.

Among those supporting the festival is Stornoway-based Cala Hotels, which reserves accommodation across its three hotels for artists and production staff months in advance.

This year's guests are expected to include headline performers the Saw Doctors and Michelle McManus.

Cala Hotels also hosts a buffet for the volunteers in recognition of the time and effort they give to the event.

Director Christina Miller said HebCelt was the island's biggest annual event and one which delivered benefits far beyond the music.

"HebCelt is our biggest annual event on the island and gives the economy here a huge boost," she said.

"It is also really important from a cultural point of view, with a focus on Celtic music and culture and its celebration of the Gaelic language, which has its roots in the Western Isles.

"Many performances and events are conducted in Gaelic and there is a great variety of entertainment on offer, from storytelling and arts and crafts to the music itself."

Mrs Miller said preparations begin months in advance, with accommodation for performers planned from October each year.

She added that recognising the work of volunteers was an important part of the festival.

"We're expecting around 200 volunteers to help out this summer and, without them, an event that is so important culturally and economically to the island simply couldn't take place.

"They are amazing and the buffet is our small way of thanking them for everything they do."