Loopallu bowing out on a high as Ullapool becomes 'a victim of its own success'
ORGANISERS of a Wester Ross music festival plan going out on a high after today announcing that "a long and happy road" is coming to an end.
A spokesman for the Loopallu music festival said: "It’s been a long and happy road, but Ullapool has become a victim of its own success. When we started out we chose the end of September to give local businesses one last boost before the long winter set in.
"Indeed, it soon became the busiest weekend of the year for many businesses, bringing millions of pounds into the area over the years but as the attraction of coming to the north-west Highlands has grown over time accommodating the Loopallu faithful has become increasingly difficult.
"Now September has become part of the height of the season. We may come back some day, at a different time of year and in a different format, but for now it’s time to reflect on friends made and good times had, despite the west coast weather."
The event will be staged on September 27/28 with a number of favourites from the past 14 years set to make a return. These include Hunter & the Bear. Also appearing, on the back of selling out the legendary Glasgow Barrowlands in six minutes, are Tide Lines.
Idlewild, headliners back in 2010, and Gun, who appeared in 2015, both return, this time for acoustic sets. Another hot act, introduced to the mainland audience via Loopallu last year, is Peat and Diesel.
Bombskare "will have torn the roof off the big top" by the time the islanders appear. Others include HYYTS, Nottingham’s Reflekter and Edinburgh’s Swim School.
Easter Ross star turn Davy and Sam Cowan will be on changeover stage duty and in The Arch.
Ullapool and District Pipe Band officially open the site on the Friday afternoon.
The party will be wrapped up in rollicking style by the The Vatersay Boys.
Tickets are available from www.loopallu.co.uk or in person from The Arch Inn (Ullapool) and Eden Court in Inverness.
* Sorry to see it go? Share your favourite memories of Loopallu down the years by emailing newsdesk@spp-group.com
