The Gathering 2027

About The Gathering

The Gathering is The Touring Network’s flagship event, bringing together the people who make rural touring happen across the Highlands.

This is an opportunity for promoters, performers, producers, funders and other creative professionals to come together and build your network, discover outstanding new work, exchange ideas and leave inspired.

The Gathering will take place on Friday 19–Saturday 20 March at The Macphail Centre, Ullapool.

Why attend?

Whether you’re an experienced promoter or performer, a volunteer at your community venue, new to rural touring, or looking to grow your creative network, you’ll find opportunities to discover new work, share ideas, build relationships and learn from others.

If you’re a promoter or venue representative, you’ll:

• Discover up to 10 tour-ready theatre, music and dance productions, each presented as a 15-minute low-tech showcase or stripped-back set.
• Experience up to 14 Wee Turns – five-minute performances and presentations from performers, promoters and creative organisations.
• Meet promoters from across the region to share ideas, challenges and recommendations in a supportive environment. Whether you’re a volunteer at your village hall, an experienced promoter or new to your role, you’ll be warmly welcomed.
• Connect directly with performers interested in rural touring, alongside producers, funders and other creative professionals.
• Join facilitated discussions exploring current topics, opportunities and challenges in rural touring.
• Leave with fresh ideas, new contacts and inspiration for future programming.

If you’re a performer, you’ll:

• Showcase your work (if selected)
• Build relationships with promoters from across the region in a relaxed, informal setting.
• Gain valuable insight into what promoters are looking for when programming shows.
• Learn more about performing and touring in rural communities.
• Meet fellow performers, producers and other creative professionals working in or exploring rural touring.
• Join facilitated discussions on topics affecting the sector.
• Leave with new connections, practical knowledge and a stronger understanding of rural touring opportunities in the region.

Support to attend The Gathering

We are committed to supporting members to attend The Gathering. Members are eligible to apply to our Access Fund to help with travel, accommodation, caring responsibilities or disability needs.

We welcome interest from all members when applying to the Access Fund for The Gathering, but please note that preference will be given to unfunded promoter members, and those living on islands.

Interested in showcasing?

We are now welcoming applications from performers to showcase at The Gathering 2026.

Acts selected will get the opportunity to perform a 15 minute low-tech excerpt or stripped back set of your tour-ready, small-scale work.

Showcasing at The Gathering is an excellent way for performers to get your show seen by promoters across the region.

Who we’re looking for

• Experienced, professional touring performers whose work aligns with our programming policy
• Performers who are ready to take bookings for dates from August 2027 – April 2029
• Performers who are committed to paying fair fees for all performers and crew
• Performers who are financially viable within promoters’ and our funding budgets

What performers at The Gathering will get

• A pass to attend The Gathering, plus a meal and refreshments on the day of your showcase 
• Pre-event technical support from our Showcase Day Stage Manager 
• Access to a green room before and after your performance slot 
• A 15-minute showcase slot, a personal introduction from someone in The Touring Network, and a further five minutes to pitch your show or take questions from the audience
• Your Tourbook profile displayed to our network via our website 
• The opportunity to network with promoters and venue representatives throughout the day you attend
• Fee to cover costs, by agreement up to £800 

How to apply

1. Read our Showcase Guidelines (PDF) (also available in Word format) for full details on who we’re looking for, what to expect, and the selection process.
2. Register for our online Showcase Information Session, taking place on Tuesday 22 September between 12-1pm.
3. Ensure that you have an up-to-date presence on Tourbook in the form of a Performer and a Tour profile before applying.
4. Apply for the opportunity to perform at The Gathering using our online application form, which is accessible via our Showcase Guidelines (PDF). Deadline for applications is Friday 30 October at 12pm. Successful applicants will be informed by mid-December.

Interested in a Wee Turn?

At The Gathering there will be an opportunity for up to 14 acts and promoters to deliver a Wee Turn. This is a fantastic way to share a five-minute taster of your tour-ready show, or a short presentation spotlighting your venue.

Our Gathering Stage Manager will provide you with technical support on the day.

To express your interest:

• First, book a ticket for The Gathering. If you aren’t already a Touring Network member, you’ll need to sign up before you can register for the event.
• When completing your Gathering registration form, note your interest in doing a Wee Turn
• We’ll then send you a form to complete so you can give us a little bit of detail about your act/presentation.
• If there’s more interest than we can accommodate, the Touring Network team will select acts and promoters from the pool. We will prioritise proposals that are in line with our Programming Policy, and acts/promoters that haven’t presented at The Gathering before.

Join the showcase selection panel

Right now, we’re also looking for promoter members to join The Gathering showcase selection panel.

This is a paid opportunity and a great way to use your experience and insight to help select artists that will entertain and inspire audiences in our region.

The timeline for selection is:

• week commencing 19 October – online introduction to scoring
• week commencing 9 November – panel members receive showcase shortlist and scoresheets
• week commencing 23 November – deadline for submitting scoresheets
• week commencing 30 November – Promoters’ Panel online meeting

To express your interest, please contact Fee Shaw, Network Development Manager: [email protected].

Ticket Pricing

Booking for The Gathering 2027 is now open.

• Volunteer or unemployed: £10
• Freelance or self-employed: £25
• Standard price: £50
• Standard price + Pay it Forward (support one attendee): £75
• Standard price + Pay it Forward (support two attendees): £100

What’s ‘Pay it Forward’?

If you’re able to, please consider helping another member attend The Gathering by adding one or two Pay it Forward tickets to your purchase. Your contribution will help someone for whom cost would otherwise be a barrier to attending. Thank you for making The Gathering more accessible.

Joining information for delegates

Accommodation

If you require accommodation during the event, a range of options are available at The Caledonian Hotel and The Ceilidh Place.

Accommodation in Ullapool will become extremely limited as we get closer to the event. We strongly recommend booking early to secure your accommodation.

The Caledonian Hotel

• Quay Street, Ullapool, IV26 2UG | 0892 1703 7672
• Prices vary, ranging from £97-£140 per night.

The Ceilidh Place

• 14 W Argyle Street, Ullapool, IV26 2TY | 01854 612103
• Double/twin room: £150 per night (based on two sharing) including breakfast
• Single Occupancy in a double room: £100 per night including breakfast
• Single room: £75 per night including breakfast

Getting to Ullapool by public transport

The nearest major train station to Ullapool is Inverness. Visit Traveline Scotland to help you plan your journey.

Bus timetables between Inverness/Ullapool are not yet available for March 2027, but we’re aware there may not be suitable connecting buses that fit with the start and close of the event. When you register for the event, we’ll ask you to let us know if you need us to arrange transport for you between Inverness and Ullapool at the start and close of the event, should this be required.

Car Share

If you’re happy to car share to the event, please pop your journey on the Mobility Ways app. Those of you looking to share a ride can connect directly from the app.

Accessibility

We are committed to making this event accessible to all. If you have any questions prior to registering, or if you wish to make us aware of any access requirements, disabilities, or other accommodations please contact us on [email protected].

Please remember to bring

• A flask (we’ll provide the hot drinks and spare mugs, should you forget to bring a flask)
• Water bottle