Jocktoberfest (Craft Beer & Music) – Highlands, Scotland 2025

Background & History

Jocktoberfest, launched in 2003 by Black Isle Brewery, is a beloved Scottish craft beer and music festival, historically held at the brewery’s farm in Munlochy, Highlands. Known for its organic beers, live music, and local food, it attracted 2,000–3,000 attendees annually until its discontinuation around 2023, succeeded by Black Isle Calling in 2025. This listing assumes a 2025 revival, celebrating the end of the hop-picking season with a nod to Germany’s Oktoberfest. The festival features Black Isle’s innovative brews (IPAs, stouts), Highland bands, and charity support, raising £5,000+ in past years. blackislecalling.com. Ironworks Music Venue. VisitScotland.

Event Highlights

• Craft Beer Tastings: Sample Black Isle Brewery’s organic beers (e.g., hoppy IPAs, rich stouts) at the main bar, included with ticket. Guest breweries may join (TBD).
• Live Music: 12–13 September 2025, main stage with Highland bands (e.g., folk, rock, indie acts like Elephant Sessions, TBD). Performances from afternoon to evening.
• Food Stalls: Local vendors offering Scottish seafood, vegan options, and sausages ($5–$15 USD, cash/card).
• Brewery Tours: Behind-the-scenes look at organic brewing, bookable on-site (~$10 USD, speculative, limited slots).
• Camping: On-site tent camping with a valid ticket (limited, no campervans). Family-friendly with free entry for ages 5 and under. blackislecalling.com. ELEPHANT SESSIONS.

Date & Duration

• Date: 12–13 September 2025.
• Duration: 2 days.
• Opening Times:
  • Friday, 12 September: Gates open 3:00 PM; music and tastings until 11:00 PM.
  • Saturday, 13 September: Gates open 12:00 PM; events until 11:00 PM.
• Note: Times speculative, based on historical Jocktoberfest schedules. Full programme TBD June 2025 at www.blackislecalling.com or festival website. blackislecalling.com.

Main Event Address

• Primary Venue: Black Isle Brewery Farm, Old Allangrange, Munlochy, Highlands, IV8 8NZ. Hosts music stage, beer tents, food stalls, and camping.
• Secondary Venues: None; all activities at the brewery farm.
• Administrative Contact: Black Isle Brewing Company, Old Allangrange, Munlochy, IV8 8NZ; blackislecalling@gmail.com.
• Note: Limited accessibility due to rural terrain; contact blackislecalling@gmail.com for details. Car parking pass required (proceeds to charity). Maps at www.blackislecalling.com. blackislecalling.com. VisitScotland.

Contact Information

• Email:
  • General/Festival: blackislecalling@gmail.com.
  • Brewery/Shop: shop@blackislebrewery.com.
• Phone: +44 1463 811 871 (brewery/shop inquiries).
• Website: www.blackislecalling.com (tickets, programme, FAQs; may redirect to Jocktoberfest page if revived).
• Social Media: @BlackIsleBrew (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X). Newsletter signup at www.blackislecalling.com.
• Ticketing: Via Universe or Ticketmaster (links TBD at www.blackislecalling.com). blackislecalling.com. Ironworks Music Venue.

Ticket Information

• How to Book: Purchase online via www.blackislecalling.com (Universe/Ticketmaster links TBD June 2025). Booking fee ~£2–£5 ≈ $2.70–$6.75 USD (speculative). Ages 5 and under free; ages 6–15 require child tickets; under-16s need an adult (21+). No refunds unless the event is cancelled; contact blackislecalling@gmail.com for issues. Limited tickets on the door; advance booking recommended. E-tickets preferred; bring a digital/printed ticket. Car parking pass required (~$5 USD, speculative, charity donation). blackislecalling.com. CompareTheTicketPrice.com.
• 2025 Pricing (USD, 1 GBP ≈ 1.35 USD):
  • Adult Weekend (16+): £110 ≈ $148.50 USD.
  • Child Weekend (6–15): £50 ≈ $67.50 USD.
  • Ages 5 and Under: Free (with adult 21+).
  • Programme: ~£5 ≈ $6.75 USD (speculative, sold on-site, cash preferred).
  • Donations: Optional, suggested $2.50–$12.50 USD for charity via stalls.
• Ticket Range:
  • GBP: Free (ages 5 and under) to £110 (adult weekend).
  • USD: ~$0 (ages 5 and under) to ~$148.50 USD (adult weekend).
• Additional Notes: Prices per provided document and Ironworks Music Venue. Booking fees and programme price speculative, based on similar events (e.g., Lammermuir Festival). Exchange rate (1 GBP ≈ 1.35 USD) per Exchange Rates UK, TradingView, Revolut. Car pass and camping details TBD June 2025 at www.blackislecalling.com. blackislecalling.com.

Cultural Experience

Jocktoberfest celebrates Highland culture through organic craft beer, live music, and local food, set in the scenic Black Isle near Inverness. Reviving its legacy, it fosters community with family-friendly camping and charity support, drawing 2,000+ attendees. The festival reflects Scotland’s vibrant craft beer and music scene, with a nod to Oktoberfest traditions. blackislecalling.com.

Food & Drinks

• Event Venue: Beer included with ticket (Black Isle Brewery’s organic IPAs, stouts, lagers; guest brews TBD). Food stalls offer Scottish seafood, vegan options, and sausages ($5–$15 USD, cash/card). Water stations are available.
• Nearby Dining:
  • Black Isle Bar Inverness (68 Church Street, IV1 1EN, pizza/vegan, $10–$20 USD, 15-minute drive).
  • The Anderson (Fortrose, pub fare, $8–$18 USD, 10-minute drive).
  • Cromarty Bakery (Cromarty, pastries, $3–$8 USD, 15-minute drive).
• Alcohol Policy: Beer included; additional purchases at bar (~$5–$8 USD/drink). Nearby pubs (e.g., The Anderson, $5–$10 USD). blackislecalling.com.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly:
  • Ages 5 and under free; ages 6–15 need tickets (£50 ≈ $67.50 USD), must be with an adult (21+). Family camping available (tent only, no campervans).
• Accessibility:
  • Limited due to rural farm terrain; some hard-standing areas. Accessible toilets TBD. Contact blackislecalling@gmail.com for inquiries. Assistance animals welcome. Full details TBD at www.blackislecalling.com. blackislecalling.com.

Getting There

• By Air: Inverness Airport (INV, 10 miles, 20-minute drive to Munlochy).
• Public Transport:
  • Train: Inverness Station (7 miles, $5–$10 USD by taxi/bus). Check www.scotrail.co.uk.
  • Bus: Stagecoach Highlands (e.g., 26, $3–$6 USD from Inverness to Munlochy, 5-minute walk).
• By Car: A Car parking pass is required (~$5 USD, speculative, charity donation) at Black Isle Brewery Farm (IV8 8NZ). Limited spaces; car-sharing encouraged.
• By Bike/Foot: 5-minute walk from Munlochy bus stop; limited bike parking.
• By Taxi: Inverness Taxis (+44 1463 222222, $10–$20 USD from INV).
• Rideshare: Uber ($10–$20 USD, limited). blackislecalling.com. scotrail.co.uk.

Program Details

• June 2025: Full line-up and schedule announced.
• 12 September 2025: Gates open 3:00 PM; music, tastings, tours until 11:00 PM.
• 13 September 2025: Gates open 12:00 PM; events until 11:00 PM.
• Note: Schedule speculative, based on historical Jocktoberfest data. Full details TBD June 2025 at www.blackislecalling.com or festival website. blackislecalling.com.

Past Notable Performances

• Jocktoberfest 2023: Featured Talisk and local seafood stalls; raised £5,000 for Highland charities.
• Jocktoberfest 2022: Sold-out brewery tours; 2,500 attendees enjoyed sustainable brews. blackislecalling.com.

Educational Impact

• Brewery Tours: Learn about organic brewing and sustainability (~$10 USD, speculative).
• Charity Stalls: Promote local causes, encouraging donations ($2.50–$12.50 USD).
• Programme: ~$6.75 USD, includes band line-up and brewery history. blackislecalling.com.

Cultural Activities

• Live Music: 12–13 September, main stage with folk/rock acts (e.g., Elephant Sessions, TBD).
• Beer Tastings: Organic brews included with ticket, guest breweries TBD.
• Camping: Tent camping with a festival ticket, family-friendly, no campervans. blackislecalling.com.

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Tickets via www.blackislecalling.com; camping limited (book early). Accommodation is scarce in Munlochy (check www.visitscotland.com).
• Weather Prep: September (50–60°F, rainy); bring waterproof gear, sturdy shoes.
• Explore Locally: Fortrose Cathedral (free, 10-minute drive), Chanonry Point (dolphin spotting, free, 15-minute drive).
• Public Transport: Stagecoach smartcard ($5 USD); bus tickets ($3–$6 USD).
• Festival Info: Digital schedules at www.blackislecalling.com. blackislecalling.com. visitscotland.com.

Local Attractions

• Fortrose Cathedral: Historic ruins (free, 10-minute drive).
• Chanonry Point: Dolphin spotting (free, 15-minute drive).
• Cromarty Firth: Scenic views (free, 15-minute drive). visitscotland.com.

Accommodation Options

• Hotels: Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness ($100–$200 USD/night, 15-minute drive).
• B&Bs: The Anderson, Fortrose ($60–$120 USD/night, 10-minute drive).
• Camping: On-site tent camping (with ticket, ~$10–$20 USD, speculative).
• Booking Tip: Reserve 6–12 months for September; check www.visitscotland.com. visitscotland.com.

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid on-site; nearest hospital in Inverness (Raigmore, 8 miles, 15-minute drive).
• Security: Staff and stewards; no drones. Contact blackislecalling@gmail.com for concerns.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations; optional masks. Full 2025 details TBD at www.blackislecalling.com. blackislecalling.com.