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Events
Throughout the year there are many events taking place in Ullapool, for example:-
Feis Rois - adult Feis Rois May 3rd, 4th and 5th www.feisrois.org
Ullapool Book Festival May 16th, 17th and 18th www. ullapoolbookfestival.co.uk
Ullapool Rotary Round the Pier Day July 12th
Loopallu September 19th and 20th www. loopallu.co.uk
Ullapool Guitar Festival October 10th, 11th and 12th www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com
Ullapool Beer Festival October 16th - 19th www.ullapoolbeerfestival.co.uk
Activities
Lochbroom Leisure Centre and Swimming Pool, Quay St, Ullapool. Tel. 01854 612884.
Open daily all year (except Christmas & New Year). Swimming pool, badminton & tennis courts, climbing wall, fitness room. The swimming pool offers a wide range of facilities, including a large inflatable for 8-14 year olds, and instruction for beginners. The games hall offers a wide selection of activities from aerobics to volleyball. Staff are happy to arrange whatever there is a demand for.
Ullapool Museum and Visitor Centre:
A visit to the award-winning museum is well worthwhile. It is located on West Argyle Street, and is open Monday to Saturday, from 9.30am to 5.30pm, until the end of October (it is also open by appointment in winter).
Walking:
There is an excellent choice of walks in this area, from short strolls to serious mountain walks. Want to bag a few Munro's or Corbett's? - there are plenty to choose from in this area, An Teallach, Beinn Dearg, Beinn More Assynt, Am Faochagach being just a few examples.
For all your outdoor clothing etc. requirements, visit North West Outdoors, West Argyle St, Ullapool.
Highland Council Ranger Service - guided walks:
The ranger service offers guided walks in the area north and south of Ullapool from May to September. Walks illustrate local wildlife, geology, etc. For details, tel. 01571 844654, or 01854 633350, or call in at Assynt Visitor Centre, Lochinver.
Explore the North West Highlands - Point North West Tel:01854 633248
www.pointnorthwest.co.uk
Join Point North West to tour, walk, explore, discover and enjoy the most stunning parts of Scotland's best kept secret - The North West Highlands
Boat Trips, Boat Hire and Beaches:
Boat trips are available around the Summer Isles. The Summer Queen sails from Ullapool pier, from early April to mid-October. The Hectoria, operated by Summer Isles Cruises, sails from Badentarbat pier, Achiltibuie, from late May to October. Trips are 2-4 hours long. On some cruises you can land on one of the islands.
Isle Martin:
Isle Martin is a picturesque island some 3 miles north of Ullapool, owned by a local trust. Trips are available in July and August on Wednesday evenings and on Saturdays.
Stay in the Croft House on Isle Martin, details Sheila Didcock 01854 612937
Isle Martin History Walks and Talks - dates to be announced soon
Handa Island:
Handa Island is a unique bird reserve 50 miles north of Ullapool. Boat trips: April to September.
Isle of Lewis:
In the summer months you can enjoy a day-trip by ferry to the Isle of Lewis. The sailing time each way is 2 hours 40 minutes. On Wednesdays and Fridays between mid-June and late August you can enjoy a day-trip including a coach-tour round the island, visiting several famous attractions, for an inclusive fare. Note there are no ferries on Sundays. In the winter timetable you will need to stay overnight to tour Lewis.
Achiltibuie - The Smokehouse:
25 miles north-west of Ullapool is Achiltibuie, where salmon is one of many fine specialities prepared at The Achiltibuie Smokehouse.
Other Visitor Attractions:
3 miles east of Ullapool is Leckmelm Garden, a pleasant 19th-century arboretum - there is car-parking within the garden. Lael Forest Gardens, 9-10 miles east of, Ullapool, offer pleasant woodland walks of up to an hour. The trails start from three car-parks, well signposted. Corrieshalloch Gorge, 12 miles east of Ullapool, is well worth a visit; from the roadside car-park a footpath leads to a viewpoint and a suspension bridge above the Falls. North of Ullapool, Knockan Crag (12 miles) is a geological landmark with superb way-marked trails and an interpretive centre. 25 miles north is the ancient and picturesque ruin of Ardvreck Castle.
Golf:
Ullapool Golf Club is at the northern end of the village. The nine-hole course opened in 1998 and is set in a beautiful location, with a challenging mix of seaside and moorland. Daily fee: £18 adult, £9 child (under-18); weekly fee £55 adult, £25 child; club and trolley hire are available.
Angling:
Iain and Lesley at The Sheiling can advise and sell permits for some of the freshwater fishing available in this area. Sea-angling trips are available at Lochinver (tel. 01571 844358) or Gairloch (tel. 01445 712458).
Stalking:
Deer-stalking is available on estates including Leckmelm (tel/fax 01854 612471, email leckmelmestate@aol.com) and Rhidorroch (01854 612548, email rhidorroch@btinternet.com).
Wildlife:
Seals can be seen all round the coastline - including at the harbour in Ullapool. In the wider area, red deer are abundant. Otters and wildcat are harder to glimpse - but you never know! You may also see eagles, sea-eagles, divers and other rare bird species (please ask for a wildlife leaflet).
Cycling:
An enjoyable off-road cycle route is through Rhidorroch estate east of Ullapool, as far as Loch an Daimh (20 miles total, there & back). There are also enjoyable waymarked cycle routes in Inverlael Forest, near the head of Loch Broom. Please ask at Ullapool TIC for a factsheet about bike routes.
Excursions by car:
One of many popular routes for a day-trip is north to Coigach or Lochinver, perhaps continuing to Durness on the north coast. Another fine drive is via Dundonnell to the Gairloch district and, a little further (if you have time), to the superb scenery of Torridon.
Minibus / Bus excursions:
A bus service departs from Ullapool for Achiltibuie, 25 miles north-west, at 1035, Monday to Friday, returning at 1300. This makes an enjoyable half-day outing through fine scenery. From May to September, a bus service operates to Lochinver and Durness on the north coast, Monday to Saturday. A mini-bus operator offers day and half-day-tours to places of interest (minimum passengers 4 - tel./fax Scotpackers 01854 613126, e-mail r.lindsay@btinternet.com). Minibuses can also be hired from Ewen's Taxis, 01854 612966.
Playground / Adventure Playground:
There is a good adventure playground at Morefield as well as two smaller playgrounds in the centre of Ullapool.
Art Courses:
Bridge House Art in Ullapool has an excellent reputation for its art courses, which vary from a weekend to one-week and longer. Contact Eleanor White, tel. 01854 612281.
Culture and Entertainment:
Ullapool Pipe Band and Highland Dancers give a weekly display on Thursday evenings in the ferry car-park opposite the pier, from mid-June to early September. 'Ceilidhs' or concerts and other arts events, are held throughout the year at venues including Ullapool Village Hall, the MacPhail Centre, the Seaforth Inn and the Ceilidh Place Clubhouse.
Highland Games:
The Coigach Gathering, with displays of piping and dancing and traditional Highland games, takes place at Achiltibuie, 25 miles north-west of Ullapool, in late June or early July. Assynt Highland Games is held in August at Lochinver, 37 miles north of Ullapool.
Pony-trekking:
Trekking and horse-riding are available within one hour's drive of Ullapool, to the north at Clachtoll near Lochinver, tel. 01571 855364, and to the south-west at Flowerdale, Gairloch, tel. 01445 712652.
Shopping:
Ullapool has excellent shops, including Highland Stoneware (whose pottery is exported world-wide), Strandlines (beautiful locally-made knitwear), The Captain's Cabin & Bookshop (with a fine range of gifts and books) and North West Outdoors (previously Mountain Supplies) (an excellent outdoor shop with a café upstairs). Knockan Studio, 15 miles north, makes and sells beautiful jewellery.
Highland Stoneware Pottery:
Well worth a visit, whether to buy or just see the potters at work, Highland Stoneware's pottery on North Road is open during winter, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, except during the Christmas/New year fortnight when it is closed.
Other Activities:
Diving, tel. 01854 655272; Art Courses, tel. 01854 612281; Wood-turning, tel. 01854 655334.
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