Classical Guitar Retreat 2025

I had the pleasure of sponsoring the event by providing the first prize in the competition that ran alongside the retreat — more on that later. Throughout the week, I was exhibiting at the 2025 Classical Guitar Retreat, held in the Laidlaw Music Hall in St Andrews, Scotland. This annual event, hosted and curated by guitarist Matthew McAllister, is a week of full immersion in all things classical guitar. It was fantastic meeting and chatting with so many passionate players, from amateurs to professionals. The music was rich, varied, and thoroughly entertaining.

Here are a few photos from the event. Thanks to everyone who came by to say hello! I can’t wait to get started on the guitars commissioned during the week.

Guitars basking in the afternoon sun, ready to be put through their paces by players of all levels.

Andrew trying out a new cedar top with Indian rosewood back and sides — this guitar eventually found its way to Austria (more on that later).

Jazz guitarist Nick Russo from New York exploring my flamenco guitar with European spruce and yew/rosewood back and sides.

Tim Panman testing the same flamenco guitar in the auditorium — his flamenco skills were a real thrill.

Josef, a professional French horn player, quietly practising on his 2023 La Señorita made with Sitka spruce and Swiss pear — a pleasure to meet him in person.

Yvonne Zehner and Christina Schorn, the dynamic duo known as Salty Guitars, played two cedar top guitars: Yvonne on an ES cocobolo borrowed from Matthew McAllister, and Christina on a brand-new cedar top with Indian rosewood. I’m proud to say they loved the guitars so much that each purchased one to complement their outstanding duo.

After their beautiful performance, chatting with Yvonne and Christina was a career highlight for me. Hearing my guitars played so wonderfully in such a lush acoustic environment was a perfect combination of instrument, musician, and venue.

Matthew McAllister, host and curator of the retreat, played his new cedar top with cocobolo back and sides during the concert, experimenting with Augustine Paragon strings featuring fluorocarbon trebles. I was quite impressed and plan to explore these strings further.

In the background, Jackie and Neil look on — Neil plays a 2012 Workshop model made by myself and my good friend Sandro Saraiva Yuri de Albequirquie from Brazil.

Matthew’s performance, playing the beautiful music of Bill Lovelady, filled the hall with a lush and resonant sound — truly captivating. I look forward to hearing more as Matthew settles into his new guitar.

Joining Matthew on stage was his duo partner, American guitarist Matthew Cochran — an accomplished composer and musician. It was great to hear him trying out my guitars in the foyer, and hopefully, he’ll take one to the stage soon. More on that here...

The last day brought the competition final. I constructed the guitar as part of my sponsorship and support of the event. The marketing and exposure to such a dedicated audience was obvious, but more importantly, I believe in supporting an environment where players, young and mature alike, are committed to mastering their craft.

As a father, I appreciate how much distraction competes for young people’s attention nowadays. To see such dedication in a wholesome and creative environment is refreshing and inspiring.

Here I am, standing at the back with the judges, as the finalists await the announcement. To watch the finalists perform follow this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK-0ynKMX_w

Presenting Inês Sousa, the competition winner, with the guitar.

The sun sets on St Andrews and another fantastic retreat comes to a close.