PHOTOS: Wester Ross bookshop manager shares 'most memorable moments' from the final Ullapool Book Festival
A WELL-LOVED Wester Ross bookshop has shared some of its 'most memorable moments' and photos from the sold-out final Ullapool Book Festival.
When news came earlier this year that the successful festival was finishing, there was a shocked reaction as it had been an institution and established a reputation across Scotland and beyond.
Katharine Douglas, manager of Ullapool Bookshop said: "From Ullapool Bookshop's perspective, the 19th Ullapool Book Festival was a thoroughly enjoyable and well organised weekend. The organisers have always supported the two independent bookshops in Ullapool and therefore those attending the festival are encouraged to buy their books locally.
"Many authors came to Ullapool Bookshop after their event had taken place, and we were thrilled to meet Sir Tom Devine, Angus Roxburgh, Gavin Francis, Kirstin Innes, Doug Johnstone, Hazel Buchan Cameron, Donald S. Murray, and Janette Ayachi, who all signed their books for Ullapool Bookshops customers.
"The most memorable moments were Janette Ayachi signing her books in green ink with her fountain pen, and a queue of very eager customers desperately seeking copies of Indian writer Puja Changoiwala's book, Homebound, which she had kindly promised us from India. They in fact followed the courier cyclist with the books all the way to Quay Street from the moment of leaving the village hall, in the hope of securing an elusive copy."
Ullapool Bookshop also was delighted to have on display book bunting made especially for the weekend by the Dolphin Arts Project Ullapool, a weekly art project for those with dementia and their carers. The handmade bunting, made of poetry and words, decorated the tree outside Ullapool Bookshop as well as the Ceilidh Place.
Joan Michael, chair of Ullapool Book Festival said: "It was all just absolutely brilliant from start to finish, I couldn't pick out one favourite, it was all fabulous. From the first word from Tom Devine, to the last notes from Graeme Stephen's guitar music, it was just amazing, we couldn't have gone out on a better festival, we are all still on a high."
