Welcome to Ullapool Guitar Festival! Explore our website and discover what makes UGF such a special weekend of music, guitars and friendship.

Our story

The Festival began in 2000, originally created to bring visitors and business back to Ullapool following the foot-and-mouth epidemic. October was chosen to help extend the tourist season.

Over the years, UGF has grown from performances in local pubs and the village hall into the much-loved festival it is today, now based at the MacPhail Centre. With excellent acoustics, comfortable facilities, workshops, a guitar trade show and great catering, it provides the perfect setting for a weekend of music.

What makes UGF special?

At the heart of the Festival are our loyal audience and the many musicians who return year after year. Artists including Hugh Burns, John Goldie, Will McNicol, Tristan Seume, Professor Allan Neave and Clive Carroll have become part of the UGF family. Their support and reputation have helped us welcome more than 100 outstanding guitarists from around the world.

But perhaps the real magic of UGF is the atmosphere.

You’ll hear everything from acoustic to electric, steel to nylon, traditional music to contemporary sounds. You’ll see established performers alongside exciting young musicians, including students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

And then there’s Ullapool itself – sitting on the shores of Loch Broom and surrounded by some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery.

Most importantly, there are no VIP areas and no barriers between performers and audiences. Everyone mixes together. You might find yourself chatting to a guitar legend in the Festival Club, browsing the trade stands with a world-class player – or even joining an impromptu jam.

We could try to explain exactly what makes UGF special.

But we think it’s much better to experience it for yourself.

Come along and discover the Ullapool Guitar Festival. Just be warned – once is never enough!