Scotland’s “most remote club night” is set to return to the Highlands village of Ullapool this autumn.
Kicking off on November 9, baile/baile is a community-centred club night set up by Ullapool local Sigi Whittle, 27, and his friend Jemima Fasakin, 27. Initially launched in November 2023, the series has brought nationally and internationally renowned DJs and producers to Ullapool.
The 2024/25 series of baile/baile will take place in the village’s award-winning 100-capacity venue and exhibition space The Ceilidh Place. Deliberately running throughout the colder months, the club night provides entertainment for locals and beyond during a time when the Highlands’ tourism industry decreases.
As well as bringing globally acclaimed artists to the Highlands, baile/baile provides a platform for local DJs to perform. Each of the series’ four parties will showcase at least one act from the north of Scotland.
Coming from a background of architecture and community engagement, co-founders Whittle and Fasakin built the concept of baile/baile with the Highland community at its core. It was launched with the aim of promoting local events to the people of the rural Highlands, which draw directly from Scottish talent.
Whittle commented: “Returning to Ullapool to host baile/baile over the last 12-months has reignited my love for my village and community in the north west Highlands. The reception and enthusiasm we have received from friends and neighbours is beyond anything we could have imagined, and we are so proud of everything it has achieved. Bring on 2024!”
Fellow co-founder and resident DJ Jemima Faskin added: “It’s so exciting to be heading back up to Ullapool and the Ceilidh Place, where we started with everything. This past year has been so much fun, and we’re really proud of everything we’ve been able to do with baile/baile so far.
“I can’t wait to be able to share everything we have planned for the next series of parties! It’s going to be a great winter.”
Since the initial series, baile/baile has also hosted two parties in the central belt — one in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow. Each of these offered a complimentary Gaelic lesson to all ticket holders, with Whittle and Faskin aiming to give people outside of the Highlands more accessible opportunities to learn Scottish Gaelic.
The club night has received acclaim and support from DJs and artists across the Scottish dance music scene, as well as coverage from BBC News, Time Out, and more. The BBC also filmed a short documentary on the night as part of their series, TUNE, which can be watched on BBC iPlayer.
More information can be found on the Resident Advisor website.
The 2024/25 baile/baile series
- 9th November – Tekhole and Lucky Dip + resident DJs
- 14th December – Mackerel Sky and Sweet Philly + resident DJs
- 8th February – Dansa and LWS + resident DJs
- 8th March (venue tbc) – Sof Sof and DADs + resident DJs
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – sign up to the Scotland Now newsletter here.