A small fishing port on Scotland's northwest coast with stone-built houses along the harbor. The local fish market supplies fresh catches to restaurants and stores.
Ullapool, a white-painted fishing village along Loch Broom in the Scottish Highlands, sits between coastal waters and steep mountains. Engineer Thomas Telford planned its grid layout in 1788, with streets leading to a harbor where ferries leave for Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides. The village marks a key stop on the North Coast 500 driving route, with views of Stac Pollaidh’s rocky summit to the northwest and Corrieshalloch Gorge’s steep walls 12 miles south. You can take boat trips to the Summer Isles, listen to live folk music at The Ceilidh Place, or walk trails where golden eagles soar. The area’s mix of sea access and mountain paths allows for kayaking in calm bays and hiking across ancient rock formations.
Loch Broom activities and nearby trails
Ullapool’s harbor connects directly to the Minch strait and North Atlantic, serving as a launch point for wildlife cruises where you might see porpoises or minke whales. Caledonian MacBrayne ferries run daily to Stornoway, letting you explore the Outer Hebrides and return the same day. Rent a kayak from the pier to paddle along the loch’s wooded edges, where black-throated divers dive for fish and otters hunt near shore. The Ullapool Hill Trail starts behind the village—a 2.5-hour hike climbs 300 meters, giving wide views over the loch and Summer Isles. Northwest of town, Stac Pollaidh’s rocky slopes challenge hikers with steep paths leading to views of Assynt’s glacial valleys and lochs.
Geology and natural landmarks
The Moine Thrust Belt, a 120-mile geological fault, defines the rugged terrain around Ullapool. At Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve, signposted trails explain how tectonic movements folded ancient rocks into visible layers. Drive 15 minutes south to Corrieshalloch Gorge, where the Falls of Measach drop 46 meters through a narrow canyon—views from the Victorian suspension bridge let you see the full depth. Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, farther north, has peat bogs and small lakes below sandstone peaks formed over 600 million years ago. Join a guided tour to the Bone Caves near Inchnadamph to see where archaeologists found reindeer bones and tools from early human inhabitants.
Local history and cultural events
Ullapool Museum occupies a 19th-century church built by Thomas Telford, displaying models of fishing boats and recordings of Gaelic stories about the village’s herring industry. Volunteers often share personal stories connected to the exhibits, like family histories from the Highland Clearances period. Live music plays nightly at The Ceilidh Place, with performances ranging from fiddle tunes to modern Scottish rock. The Ullapool Book Festival in May hosts writing workshops, while October’s Guitar Festival brings blues and folk artists to local venues. Tune into Lochbroom FM at 102.2 for local news, music, and event updates broadcast daily.
Getting to Ullapool and essential services
Ullapool is 70 kilometers northwest of Inverness via the A835 road, a 90-minute drive through valleys and open moorland. Regular buses from Inverness Station take two hours, and the Stornoway ferry completes the crossing to the Outer Hebrides in 2.5 hours. Stay in guesthouses with harbor views or rent a cottage near Ardmair Beach’s pebble shores. Ullapool Leisure Centre has an indoor pool and sauna for rainy days, and An Talla Solais gallery rotates exhibitions of modern art from Highland creators. The village has two grocery stores, a post office, and fuel stations, making Ullapool a key stop for North Coast 500 travelers needing supplies.
Nearby places to visit
Achmelvich Beach, 19 kilometers north, has white sand and clear water suitable for swimming in summer. South of Ullapool, Lael Forest Garden grows rare tree species from around the world. Book a guided fishing trip on the River Broom for salmon, or play nine holes at Ullapool Golf Club with the loch as your backdrop. Visit the crumbled stone walls of Ardmair Old Church, built in the 1100s, or walk through Leckmelm Shrubbery’s collection of plants brought here during the Victorian era. For a longer trip, take the ferry to Lewis and Harris to experience the Hebrides’ Atlantic coast beaches and standing stone circles.
