They say it’s all over – but is it now?
What was billed as the last ever Loopalllu was such a roaring success at the weekend that organisers are now questioning what to do next and hinting at some form of event next year.
The festival has brought big names from the music world to Ullapool in the Highlands for more than a decade.
However, organisers had experienced problems seeking a location for the events tent and decided to make this Loopallu the last.
On Friday, music lovers enjoyed The View, the Pigeon Detectives, Tide Lines, Bombscare, Sam Fender and Neon Waltz as they took to the stage.
Saturday’s line up included The Vatersay Boys, Glasvegas, Turin Brakes, Hunter and the Bear, The Rezillos, Willie Campbell, Calum Beattie, The Howl and the Hum and Little Mammoths.
Organiser Robert Hicks, of Beyond Events Presents and Middle of Nowhere Recordings, said: “It went exceptionally well. We were blessed with the weather. The Loopallu massive did what they always do. They all came and had a great party. The atmosphere was incredible.
“The new site at the harbour was really embraced, the feedback has been overwhelming. It is very humbling.
“It was very emotional. It makes you realise how fortunate you are to have such an amazing group of friends all come together to put it on. It is an amazing extended family, and of course the people who come every year and live for the festival.
“I was being stopped by every other person to tell me about their Loopallu experience, people from all over the UK. It was just so humbling.
“I was dragged up on stage with the crowd roaring at me to have one year. We have got to let the dust settle. So many people have said to me they are booking for next year and if something happens, it does, and if it doesn’t they are still coming to Ullapool and having a party.”
He said the new venue at the harbour went down a treat.
“Loopallu has always been about Ullapool and this was properly right in the heart of the village,” he said. “It felt so right being there.
“We have to say a special thanks to the harbour master and trustees and all of the people who go about their daily work there for allowing us to comandeer their pier for a week.
“It leaves a big question mark over what happens next. It’s food for thought.”
Famous acts gracing the stage over the years have included paolo Nutini, Mumford and Sons, Twin Atlantic, the Stranglers and Franz Ferdinand.
Ullapool and district Junior Pipe Band opened the event for a final time on Friday, marking an end to an era for the group.