Mull of Kintyre Music Festival – Campbeltown, Scotland 2026
Overview
Mull of Kintyre Music Festival is a longstanding beacon of Scottish folk and traditional music, illuminating the rugged southwestern tip of the Kintyre Peninsula with five days of enchanting concerts, ceilidhs, and community gatherings that draw over 1,000 attendees to the windswept shores of Campbeltown. Established in 1983 as one of Scotland’s oldest annual festivals, it has become a heartfelt pilgrimage for folk enthusiasts, showcasing 30+ years of intimate performances in venues like the Victoria Hall and Campbeltown Heritage Centre, while weaving in Gaelic workshops, young folk nights, and headline acts amid the dramatic Mull’s lighthouse vistas and Atlantic swells; for 2026, expect a return to its cherished format post-2025’s sold-out success, blending timeless tunes with emerging talents in a setting that Paul McCartney immortalized.
What captivates about MOK is its unyielding commitment to authenticity and community—run by passionate locals with a focus on fair work, real living wage, and carbon footprint reduction, it rejects commercial excess for a soulful, inclusive ethos; from Spoons Ice Cream Café’s youth showcases to Beinn an Tuirc Distillers’ Gaelic evenings, it’s a festival where friendships form over fiddle reels and friendships endure like the peninsula’s ancient standing stones, offering a rare, restorative immersion in Scotland’s melodic heritage. See official site: https://mokfest.com/
Event Highlights
- Main activities or performances: Over 20 concerts and events spanning folk, Gaelic, and traditional sets, including headline concerts, ceilidhs like the Kintyre Schools Pipe Band’s Victoria Hall finale, and young folk nights at Campbeltown Heritage Centre; past editions featured Arthur Cormack & Ingrid Henderson, Ali Bain, and Phil Cunningham, with 2026 poised for similar high-caliber folk luminaries, plus app-guided schedules for seamless navigation.
- Special traditions or features: Annual traditions like the opening ceilidh and Gaelic workshops with partners like CHArts Argyll and Isles; 30+ years of “bringing folk home” with eco-policies (e.g., carbon footprint tracking); volunteer-driven with open calls; ties into Kintyre’s Celtic roots, often including storytelling and heritage concerts.
- Unique attractions for visitors: Stunning Mull scenery for post-show hikes to the lighthouse; pop-up markets with local crafts and Kintyre gins; accessible programming with equal opportunities focus; the peninsula’s isolation fosters a magical, self-contained haven, blending concerts with seaside serenity and family-friendly young folk sessions.
Why attend
Mull of Kintyre Music Festival is a melodic embrace from Scotland’s wild southwest, where folk anthems rise with the Atlantic tide, offering a festival that feels like a cherished family gathering in a postcard-perfect peninsula—perfect for purists and newcomers alike, craving depth over dazzle with sold-out intimacies that rival larger fests but without the crush. Its charitable heart and sustainable ethos ensure every reel supports local dreams, turning attendees into lifelong advocates amid breathtaking coastal trails and lighthouse sunsets.
Beyond the stages, it’s a tapestry of tales: bonding over pedal-powered pedal steel or Gaelic laments at heritage concerts, young performers inspiring the next generation at youth nights, and that profound quiet of Kintyre’s moors amplifying every note; as a 40+ year legacy of community resilience, attending weaves you into its fabric, leaving invigorated, connected, and humming long after the final encore—ideal for rediscovering the timeless thrill of folk’s communal fire in nature’s grand hall.
Date & Duration
Dates: August 20 – August 24, 2026, Duration: 5 days
Venue / Location
Multiple venues in Campbeltown, including Victoria Hall for ceilidhs, Campbeltown Heritage Centre for young folk nights, and outdoor spaces like the Mull lighthouse trails for concerts; no off-site elements. Main Google location address: Victoria Hall, Hall Street, Campbeltown, PA28 6BU, United Kingdom
Ticket Information
- Tickets sold online via the official site (mokfest.com/book-tickets) and partners; early bird for bundles; some free community events, others paid; no lottery, but volunteer perks include comps.
- Admission mixed; all-ages with some adult evening shows; under-16s free/reduced with adult for most concerts.
- Ticket pricing in USD: Individual concerts range from free to ~$26-$39 USD (£20-£30); festival passes ~$91-$130 USD (£70-£100); family discounts apply.
- Special seating or VIP options include accessible tickets (email for reservations with proof like Blue Badge); volunteer access to backstage; no formal VIP but sponsor lounges for partners.
- Minimum and maximum ticket price range: Minimum free (community events); Maximum ~$130 USD (£100, full pass).
Booking with Euro Travelo
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Contact Information
- Email: mokfest@hotmail.co.uk (general inquiries, volunteers, stalls, artists).
- Phone: Not specified; use email or contact form.
- Website: https://mokfest.com (official site for program, tickets, news).
- Social Media: @MullOfKintyreMusicFestival (Facebook primary); @MOKFest (X/Twitter, Instagram).
- Key Staff: Not specified; contact via email for organizers.
- Press/Volunteers: Press via email; volunteer applications via site (open calls for setup/ceilidhs).
- Note: Response time ~24–48 hours. English support available; subscribe for updates.
Getting There
- Nearest airports: Glasgow Airport (GLA, ~90 miles/2.5-hour drive); Prestwick Airport (PIK, ~100 miles/3-hour drive).
- Public transport: Trains to Campbeltown via Glasgow Central (4.5 hours from London Euston); buses 926/927 from Glasgow; festival shuttles from town center to venues.
- Parking: Free on-street in Campbeltown; limited at halls—arrive early; carpool encouraged for eco-policy.
- Driving directions: From M8, take A83 south to Campbeltown (scenic coastal route); sat-nav PA28 6BU; ~4 hours from Glasgow, winding roads with sea views.
Accommodation Options
- On-site camping: Not available; town-based with meadow picnics.
- Glamping and VIP: Limited glamping via partners (~$650 USD/£500 for furnished tents); email for details.
- Nearby hotels: Campbeltown Hotel (0.5 miles, sea views/breakfast, ~$130 USD/night) or Royal Hotel (1 mile, access to distillery tours, ~$110 USD); book via Booking.com.
- Local B&Bs and rentals: Kintyre B&B (2 miles, Highland charm, ~$100 USD) or Airbnb cottages in Southend (10 miles, ~$150 USD); 20+ options—book early for August.
Reviews
- Gaelic nights were transcendent—Arthur Cormack’s set soared, youth concerts a fresh thrill, and the Mull’s views breathtaking; intimate folk perfection.
- Ceilidh at Victoria Hall pulsed with joy—diverse lineup from pipes to fiddles, easy access, and community warmth; MOK’s legacy lives on.
- Workshops inspired, concerts sold-out magic; eco-focus appreciated, and Kintyre’s wild beauty amplified every tune—timeless Scottish soul.
Maps
Contact
Video
FAQ's
What should I pack for Mull of Kintyre Music Festival to handle the Scottish summer weather?
Layer for August's coastal whims—waterproof jacket and windbreaker for Atlantic gusts and showers, sunscreen/hat for rare sunbursts, and sturdy boots for Mull trails; reusable water bottle for venue refills, picnic blanket for outdoor concerts, and ID for any ticketed events. Small bag for quick venue hops; no glass per policies. Download the app for program and map. Pro tip: Insect repellent for evening midges, and a wool scarf for chillier nights; pack binoculars for lighthouse views during sets, and eco-bag for local crafts from stalls.
How family-friendly is Mull of Kintyre Music Festival for young kids?
Very welcoming—all-ages with free/reduced entry for under-16s on most events; family sessions like young folk nights at Heritage Centre and ceilidhs encourage participation, with stages ending by 11pm for quieter evenings. Lost child policy with wristbands and volunteer stewards; some Gaelic content suits older kids, but email for age suitability. Thousands attend yearly with families; the Mull's safe beaches and trails add playtime—perfect for budding folk lovers, with workshops like storytelling to engage little ones.
Are there dietary or accessibility accommodations available?
Local stalls and pubs offer vegan/gluten-free options with clear labeling (flag allergies at purchase); some venues like Victoria Hall have sponsor-provided menus. Accessibility includes ramps at main halls, reserved seating with proof (e.g., Blue Badge—email for arrangements), and equal opportunities policy ensuring inclusive access; changing facilities at concerts, and assistance dogs welcome with prior notice. Strobe warnings for any lights; carbon footprint focus means low-waste food. Case-by-case: Submit Access Card or GP letter for custom needs like quiet zones or transport aid.
Can I bring my dog or pet to the festival?
Dogs welcomed on leads in outdoor areas and some venues with cleanup required; assistance dogs need prior email (mokfest@hotmail.co.uk) for noise/content check, and are permitted throughout. Ejection risk if uncontrolled near crowds or livestock on the Mull trails; nearby coastal walks are plentiful for exercise. Strict rules align with fair work and harassment policies—fines for non-compliance. Some B&Bs like Kintyre (2 miles) are pet-friendly; prioritize festival's community safety while enjoying its pet-inclusive vibe.
What's the re-entry policy and what happens if I lose my ticket?
Wristbands (exchanged for e-tickets at entry) allow re-entry all festival (scan gates); no vehicle re-parking once on-site. Lost ticket? Email mokfest@hotmail.co.uk with ref/ID for digital reissue or gate replacement (screenshot QR codes as backup); 95% smooth with volunteer support. Name changes via contact form pre-event; resale prohibited to maintain fair pricing. Security searches bags per policies; box office at Victoria Hall (open till 9pm) assists, with app aiding navigation for quick resolutions.
