Piecing Together The Hoolie Jigsaw!

A Write Highland Hoolie 2025 will take place from November 7-9 at the West Highland Hotel, Mallaig.

It’s always a fabulous occasion, and this year will be no different!

With just a few months to go until we all meet up once more for a weekend of books, music, friendship and conversation, what are the hard-working volunteers of Team Hoolie, who put together the festival each year, looking forward to most?

Treasurer Ann Martin is hoping to take time to enjoy all the events after months of planning.

“After the hard work put in by the team, I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend with old and new friends, enjoying the wonderful programme Polly has yet again put together,” she says.

Angela Gilchrist, who helps out with the website and social media, is the newest member of the team.

“This will be my third Hoolie, and it’s become a highlight of my year. I love the creative energy of the weekend, the thrill of discovering new authors and discussing fresh ideas.”

Hoolie Director Polly Pullar is involved at every step of the process.

“So much planning goes into the Hoolie each year,” she explains. “As only a wee team, we each work away mostly by ourselves, compiling the various pieces that make up the culmination of the creative jigsaw we bring to you in November.

“The actual weekend goes so fast because it is full on. I love seeing everyone arriving in the hotel on the Friday night, having a quick catch-up with friends both old and new before it all starts, and we are off.

“I love the atmosphere and the fact that people from all walks of life gather. I love the fact that the authors don’t have a specific hideaway as at other book festivals and instead mingle with everyone (and if they do feel they want to get some peace, they can always go back to their rooms for a while!)

“I love seeing the friendly hotel team each year - many who are working hard behind the scenes to keep everyone happy.  I love the fact that we can never guarantee the weather, but that does not matter for there is no need to move far, and we can guarantee a great time.

 “It’s all here under one roof - fabulous book chat, fabulous music, lovely food and atmosphere and above all, a chance to forget all the gloom of the outside world and briefly relish another world altogether.

“On a very personal level, the Hoolie has given me the chance to meet some truly amazing creative souls, too many to mention, and to learn more about their lives and their talents. What started as a proposed one-off has now become an annual fixture, a cheery creative date in the diary that I am proud to be a part of.”

Tickets for this year’s events are now on sale at www.a-write-highland-hoolie.com/book-now. Accommodation in the West Highland Hotel can be booked by calling 01687 462210.

We’ll see you in Mallaig!