Gallery Cafe Ullapool

Welcome to the Ullapool Guitar Festival, taking place on October 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 2025. We invite you to dive into our website and discover what makes us unique and beloved by music enthusiasts. The Ullapool Guitar Festival, established in 2000 in response to the foot and mouth epidemic, has transformed into a vibrant celebration of guitar music, aimed at boosting local business and tourism. By choosing October, we effectively extended the tourist season, creating a thriving event that has evolved from intimate performances in local pubs to our current home in the MacPhail Centre. This excellent venue offers outstanding acoustics, ample space for workshops, a bustling trade show, and delightful catering services. The Festival's success is rooted in two key pillars. First, we have an unwavering community of music lovers who return year after year, contributing their passion and support to ensure its continued growth. Second, we are proud to host a stellar lineup of musicians—such as Hugh Burns, John Goldie, Will McNicol, Tristan Seume, Professor Allan Neave, and Clive Carroll—who have become integral to our festival's identity. Their commitment and esteem in the guitar world have helped us attract an impressive array of talent from around the globe. So, what truly sets the UGF apart? Perhaps it’s the eclectic blend of old and new music, the combination of electric and acoustic sounds, or the presence of both seasoned pros and fresh talent from places like the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The stunning backdrop of Loch Broom, with its breathtaking landscape, adds to the allure. Above all, the festival radiates an informal and inclusive atmosphere: there’s no separation between performers and attendees, making it common for you to find yourself sharing a moment with a guitar legend at the Festival Club or jamming alongside them at a trade stand. In summary, while we may not have a definitive answer to what makes our festival exceptional, we invite you to come and experience it for yourself. Just a word of caution: once may not be enough!.