Places

Ullapool is a mecca for all things musical.

The Loopallu festival takes place each September. The 2008 festival took place in September with acts ranging from Echo and The Bunnymen to King Creosote.

Another annual festival is the Ullapool guitar festival which takes place in October.

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Looking out to the Summer Isles from Leckmelm

Ullapool's grid plan layout, designed and built in 1788 by Thomas Telford, makes it easy to navigate round the picturesque streets.

The harbour area fronted by many shops and bars is a great place to soak up the bustling atmosphere. Boat trips from the harbour leave for the Summer Isles and land at the last inhabited Summer isle of Tanera Mor.

The harbour is also the departure point for ferries to Lewis. Further North, boat trips can be taken from Ardmair to Isle Martin for nature walks and bird-watching. 

Stac Pollaidh

Take a walk from the harbour area along the shore to Rhue lighthouse or tackle the Ullapool hill path which starts in Ullapool and is way-marked. Ullapool is surrounded by hills and mountains for those who want to try a more challenging walk.

Fishing enthusiasts are spoiled for choice with sea, river and loch fishing available. Sea fishing by boat is available at Ardmair, north of Ullapool. Permits for river fishing are available at Lochbroom hardware near the harbour.   

Find out about the history of Ullapool and the Lochbroom area at the award winning Ullapool Museum and Visitor centre.

Ullapool sits at the gateway to Scotland’s first European Geopark, and is a member of the European Geopark Network as well as the Global Geopark Network.  The Geopark stretches from the Summer Isles and Coigach and continues northwards through west Sutherland to the north coast. Knockan Crag Visitor Centre, a site of international geological importance, is worth a visit for the full story. Another geological marvel can be found south of Ullapool at Corrieshalloch Gorge.

The Ullapool leisure centre has a 25 metre pool and a multi-sports games hall with climbing wall. Classes for all ages are available at the leisure centre.

Leckmelm Gardens have trees and shrubs of all shapes and sizes to inspire gardeners. Further South, Inverewe Garden near Poolewe is a sub-tropical garden owned by the National Trust for Scotland.