ABOUT TMF

Tiree Music Festival CIC is more than a music festival. It is a true island adventure to one of the most stunning festival locations in the world. 

Think picture-perfect white sands. World-famous surf. Deserted roads lined with lush greenery and wild flowers. Not forgetting more sunshine than practically anywhere else in the UK. It’s little wonder that the tiny Hebridean island of Tiree is nicknamed the ‘Hawaii of the North’.

This is the unique location of Tiree Music Festival, or TMF as it is known by many who have been part of the incredible journey of this small event….

For years, Tiree local and musician with the band Skerryvore Daniel Gillespie found himself performing at festivals around the world 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 exactly that.

Their early vision was one of a music festival capable of sharing the magic and beauty of Tiree with visitors from far and wide, and in doing so delivering a welcome boost to the economy and community of this remote island.

That was back in 2010 and resulted in a 600-capacity sell-out 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, growing in capacity each year until 2016 where the event reached the target max capacity of 2000 – a number that will not increase so that TMF can remain what makes it so special. Small and intimate.

Since its formation TMF has also gone on to win 10 national awards including Best Small Event at the Scottish Event Awards (2012, 2013 & 2016), Best Cultural Event at both the Highland & Island Tourism Awards (2013 & 2015) & Scottish Thistle Awards (2013). Event of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards (2013) and also thenits first UK award by being crowned the Best Small Event at the UK Event Awards in 2014. Evidence, if ever it was needed, that small can indeed be beautiful.

So whether you’re joining us from the mainland, are island hopping from somewhere nearby or are local to Tiree, we look forward to welcoming you to TMF and the ‘Hawaii of the North’.

Tiree Music Festival is a Community Interest Company (CIC) with an asset lock to the Tiree Trust.

Reg. UK Company Number: 422182

‘Words by lesleydougall.com and Tiree Music Festival’