Ullapool

United_Kingdom

Ullapool and Loch Broom from Braes

Ullapool is a small village on the shores of Loch Broom in Ross and Cromarty in the Scottish Highlands. It's a ferry port and most visitors are just passing through on the way to & from Stornoway on Lewis. Reasons to stay are for hill-walking and exploration of the wild mainland scenery.

Shore Street, Ullapool The main attraction of Ullapool is the beautiful situation it is in beside the loch and surrounded by typical west Highland scenery. The town itself is pretty and can be wandered around in half an hour or so. Most people also end up walking over to the pretty but still functioning harbour, down to the loch or up the hill behind the town that, for very little effort, provides a wonderful view over the town and over to the Summer Isles.

  • Ullapool Museum, 7 & 8 West Argyle Street IV26 2TY, +44 1854 612987. April-Sept M-Sa 10:00-17:00. Museum in a Thomas Telford church built in 1829, with temporary exhibitions. Adult £4.
  • Clear night skies: you need to go a mile or so out of the village to get completely clear of skyglow, then the Milky Way and other celestial objects swim into view.

Ullapool Museum, 7 & 8 West Argyle Street IV26 2TY, +44 1854 612987. April-Sept M-Sa 10:00-17:00. Museum in a Thomas Telford church built in 1829, with temporary exhibitions. Adult £4.

Clear night skies: you need to go a mile or so out of the village to get completely clear of skyglow, then the Milky Way and other celestial objects swim into view.

  • Ullapool is a great base for walkers and Munro-baggers - see Ullapool walks for details of routes.
  • There are cruises to the nearby Summer Isles on the sedate "Summer Queen" or on a bouncy RIB.
  • There are regular concerts in the Ceilidh Place, Seaforth and Macphail Centre next to the secondary school.
  • The local pipe band parade in the village on Thursday evenings in summer.
  • Ullapool Book Festival is held annually in mid-May. The next event is 8-10 May 2020.
  • Loopalu, Ullapool pier. End Sept/beginning Oct: 27-28 Sep 2019. An increasingly popular rock music festival. adult £90.
  • The Guitar Festival is 3 days of acoustic guitar music in early October at the Macphail Centre. The next event is 4-6 Oct 2019.

Ullapool Book Festival is held annually in mid-May. The next event is 8-10 May 2020.

Loopalu, Ullapool pier. End Sept/beginning Oct: 27-28 Sep 2019. An increasingly popular rock music festival. adult £90.

The Guitar Festival is 3 days of acoustic guitar music in early October at the Macphail Centre. The next event is 4-6 Oct 2019.

  • Banks: Bank of Scotland is on West Argyle St, one block back from the ferry pier, open M W F 10:00-15:00. Royal Bank of Scotland is 100 yards east of it, open M-F 09:30-16:45. There's also an ATM in Tesco.
  • Tesco, Latheron Lane IV26 2XB. M-Sa 07:00-22:00, Su 08:00-20:00. Well stocked medium sized supermarket.
  • Food for Thought, West Shore Street IV26 2UR, +44 1854 612416. M-Sa 08:00-17:00. Butchers and fishmongers next to the ferry terminal. Sells hot pies and pastries.
  • The Frigate (see "Eat") also has a small deli.
  • Saturday market is held along Quay Street April-Sept, Saturdays 09:00-17:00. Crafts and local produce: organic vegetables, seafood, smoked cheese and fish, bakery.
  • Fuel: Lochbroom filling station, 400 yards east of the ferry pier, has 24 hour pumps. The well-stocked shop is open M-Sa 07:30-21:00 and Su 08:30-19:00.
  • Ullapool Bookshop, Quay Street IV26 2UE, +44 1854 612918. M-Sa 09:00-21:00, Su 10:00-17:00. Great selection of general and Scottish titles.
  • Several arts and crafts shops in Ullapool, and see also Ceilidh Place bookshop.

Banks: Bank of Scotland is on West Argyle St, one block back from the ferry pier, open M W F 10:00-15:00. Royal Bank of Scotland is 100 yards east of it, open M-F 09:30-16:45. There's also an ATM in Tesco.

Tesco, Latheron Lane IV26 2XB. M-Sa 07:00-22:00, Su 08:00-20:00. Well stocked medium sized supermarket.

Food for Thought, West Shore Street IV26 2UR, +44 1854 612416. M-Sa 08:00-17:00. Butchers and fishmongers next to the ferry terminal. Sells hot pies and pastries.

The Frigate (see "Eat") also has a small deli.

Saturday market is held along Quay Street April-Sept, Saturdays 09:00-17:00. Crafts and local produce: organic vegetables, seafood, smoked cheese and fish, bakery.

Fuel: Lochbroom filling station, 400 yards east of the ferry pier, has 24 hour pumps. The well-stocked shop is open M-Sa 07:30-21:00 and Su 08:30-19:00.

Ullapool Bookshop, Quay Street IV26 2UE, +44 1854 612918. M-Sa 09:00-21:00, Su 10:00-17:00. Great selection of general and Scottish titles.

  • The Frigate and the Seaforth Bar are decent budget eating places next to the ferry terminal, open daily.
  • Lucky House a few blocks back is no better than okay, was Jade House until April 2019. Closed Tuesday.
  • Essence Of India, West Lane, IV26 2UT, +44 1854 613331. Daily 17:00-23:00. Classic-style Indian food, they don't stint on the cooking oil.

Essence Of India, West Lane, IV26 2UT, +44 1854 613331. Daily 17:00-23:00. Classic-style Indian food, they don't stint on the cooking oil.

  • The Arch Inn, 10-11 West Shore Street IV26 2UR (harbour front, +44 1854 612454. Food daily 12:00-14:30, 17:00-21:00. Offers a nice atmosphere and live bands. Food service often very slow.

The Arch Inn, 10-11 West Shore Street IV26 2UR (harbour front, +44 1854 612454. Food daily 12:00-14:30, 17:00-21:00. Offers a nice atmosphere and live bands. Food service often very slow.