Lugger Fest 2026 - Ullapool’s Traditional Maritime Festival
22-24 May 2026
Lugger Fest is coming back this May to Shore Quay, Ullapool.
After the bright success of ‘Lugger Fest 24’ we decided to make the festival a biannual event and bring the boats back to Ullapool to sail and celebrate.
Ullapool itself was founded as a herring port and the waters around here supported hundreds of boats landing catch to be processed during the herring boom. Old photographs of Loch Broom show the loch thick with masts and sails. This Festival was conceived to celebrate and recognise this history and heritage but also to celebrate and enjoy the boats and skills alive and active today.
Ashore we will have; music, food, drinks, dancing, talks, maritime activities and demos, teas and cakes - and on the water local and visiting traditional boats (luggers) will return to the harbour to, sail and race and join the party.
Lugger Fest is produced by West Coast Working Boats, which is a collaboration between the two Boat Yards: Johnson and Loftus Boat Builders, Lochbroom, and Isle Ewe Boats, Loch Ewe. The festival is generously supported by the Ullapool Harbour Trust .
Want to bring your Lugger to the Fest? Got a boat you want to bring to the Party? Or would you be interested to give a talk or demonstration, or run a workshop or play some music? - Please get in touch .
We are also looking for Volunteers to help with the event in May. We would love to hear from you if you would like to get involved!
Please email charlottewatters@yahoo.co.uk , alasdairgrant@hotmail.co.uk or boatbuildertim@hotmail.com
Zone Scotland