Ullapool Holidays
community with heart
Ullapool in the Highlands of Scotland, has been declared one of the UK's TOP 10 "OUTDOOR TOWNS" for activities, and was granted "runner-up" for the "CREATIVE PLACES AWARDS", which makes it a GREAT HOLIDAY COTTAGE DESTINATION. Come and explore some of the most SPECTACULAR SCENERY in Britain, including day trips by ferry to the Outer Hebrides from June to September. Ullapool celebrates its DIVERSE CHARACTER with a wide range of activities and annual FESTIVALS to suit everyone. There is a GREAT CHOICE of restaurants, cafes, pubs and take-aways to cater for all tastes; with quality, local produce in the delicatessan, smokehouse and butchers, as well as the convenience of a supermarket and corner shop. The SATURDAY MARKET operates from April to September and is a GREAT SHOWCASE for original products from local artisans. A warm welcome awaits you in the Highlands and if you find it hard to fit everything in...."haste ye back"!on your doorstep
Lochbroom LEISURE CENTRE and the community run SWIMMING POOL, with sauna is a great place for indoor activities and outdoor games courts. There is a 9 hole GOLF course with views over Lochbroom. Local FISHING permits give access to trout lochs in the area or you can try your luck off the pier. Ullapool MUSEUM, housed within an original Telford Church, has a wealth of ancestral history. "An Talla Solàis" ART GALLERY is one of many on the Highland Art Trail. Local facilities include: BICYCLE hire/repair; LIBRARY; THEATRE; OUTDOOR GEAR; CHEMIST; GARAGE; POST OFFICE; two BANKS with cash machines and an excellent HEALTH CENTRE for medical assistance.
things to do
The Summer Queen gives BOAT TOURS around the Summer Isles and Lochbroom, with all facilities on board; or try the Seascape power boat for fast adrenalin! Alternatively, try your hand at SEA KAYAKING. ULLAPOOL TOURS do bus tours and day excursions round the region. See the booths on the pier to book for these activities. In July and August there is the Rotary "Pier Day" with Lifeboat demonstrations, and skiff rowing and sailing regattas. Weekly RANGER GUIDED WALKS offer excellent opportunities to explore and learn about local flora, fauna and history throughout the region. It is easy to be active outdoors with mountain biking, bouldering, climbing and hill walking and wild swimming.
Ken Keith Mountain & Hill Guide at Highland Adventures and Boots n Paddles Adventures
don't miss...
Ullapool's Junior PIPE BAND and Highland DANCERS perform every Thursday in the summer, an occasion not to be missed! Every year Ullapool hosts a number of festivals including the DANCE Festival (March); Junior FEIS (April - traditional music tuition); BOOK Festival (May); CHAMBER MUSIC Masterclass (August); LOOPALLU ROCK Festival (September); Adult FEIS, GUITAR and BEER Festivals (October - November); and the NEW YEAR CEILIDH in the Village Hall! Several art and photographic exhibitions and courses occur throughout the year; and the Macphail Centre THEATRE shows regular musical and theatrical perfomances. Whitehouse Art's Portfolio Art Course runs through the winter months.
"Events Diary" at Ullapool Tourism & Business Association and Macphail Centre Theatre
food suppliers
Locally produced QUALITY FOODS can be obtained from the SATURDAY MARKET. Shops include the WEST COAST DELICATESSAN, FOOD FOR THOUGHT BUTCHERS, ULLAPOOL BAKERY and the famous ULLAPOOL SMOKE HOUSE where you can purchase hot/smoked salmon, and cheeses. Vegetable boxes and biodynamic farm produce can be ordered from LECKMELM FARM. Ullapool also has a local corner shop PARLETTS and a TESCO for convenience. VEGETARIAN and GLUTEN FREE options are available. There is plenty of choice for dining out. Take-aways include two fish and chip shops a Chinese and Indian take-away. The Frigate also makes pizza's to order to eat in or take-away.
further information links
Inspiration
local walks
Walk from your door up the Ullapool HILL PATHS to Loch Achall, or explore the coastal walk out to RHUE LIGHTHOUSE and the BEACH at ARDMAIR. Local gardens include LECKMELM GARDENS and LAEL FOREST, where you can explore the many cycle tracks. A visit to CORRIESHALLOCH GORGE is exciting and there are walks to enjoy by the River Broom. Discover bronze age HUT CIRCLES, vitrified FORTS and DUNS among the spectacularly wild coastline. In summer there are BOAT TRIPS to the Summer Isles and Isle Martin. Discover some of the area's history with the Museum's "AUDIO-TOUR".
scenic tours
Tours by car, TOUR BUS or with the RANGER GUIDED WALKS will bring you to Ardvreck CASTLE, Inverewe GARDENS, breath taking BEACHES and rocky coasts. Visit HANDA ISLAND BIRD RESERVE, the Bone and Smoo CAVES and the DUNES of Faraidh Head. The Knockan Crag ROCK TRAIL will guide you through the region's superb "GEOPARK" and rich geology, and you can follow the road trail around the "GAELIC RINGS" to points of interest and spectacular Highland scenery. The LITTLE ASSYNT FOOTPATHS and CULAG WOODS near Lochinver have paths that are suitable for MIXED ABILITY ACCESS.
beaches
Iconic sandy beaches such as ACHMELVICH Beach near Lochinver;
ACHNAHAIRD with its Viking hut circle by Achiltibuie; and GRUINARD
BAY and BIG SANDS, with its views over the Torridon mountains near
Gairloch are all within an hours drive. If you are feeling
adventurous take the four mile walk to the spectacular SANDWOOD BAY
or find the hidden GARVIE BAY near Stac Pollaidh. Walks out to the
headlands of Stoer and Rubha Reidh Lighthouses give fantastic views
to the Outer Isles and the chance to see WHALES and BASKING SHARKS.
Remember to watch the tides!
take to the hills
There are 24 "MUNRO" mountains in the local region, and as you approach Ullapool, BEINN DEARG and the ridge of AN TEALLACH loom ahead. The Highland scenery becons you towards the FANNAICHS, FISHERFIELD and TORRIDON mountains. Close by BEINN EILIDEACH will give you wonderful views of Ullapool. A short trip takes you to STAC POLLAIDH, with its footpath providing splendid views of ASSYNT and COIGACH. Admire the iconic whaleback of SUILVEN, the twin peaks of CUL MOR and the ridges of QUINAG. The SHENOVAL bothy is a good through route to explore around the Fisherfield area.