In Ullapool:

Ullapool is truly a unique destination whatever the season – lower level walking paths and forest tracks usually remain open during Winter. The light and colours of the lush flora enchant all year round making it a stunning location for photography.

Many people stay in Ullapool for 2 days or more …. or wish they had.

Take our ‘A walk around Ullapool’ brochure to appreciate this historic fishing village with its tree lined grid planned layout and historic buildings.

Ullapool Museum - Learn about the history of Loch Broom and its people – fascinating and accessible.

There is a super selection of bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants – all tastes catered for – including the BBC featured ‘Seafood Shack’ with outside eating tables to enjoy the freshest of seafood.

A wide selection of independently owned craft shops including An Teallach Ale Company, art galleries and book shops.

Ullapool Saturday Craft Market (April-Sept) – local artisans sell: breads, ceramics, jewellery, Harris Tweed items, handmade soaps etc

Lochbroom leisure centre’s facilities include an indoor swimming pool, climbing wall and gym.

A Ullapool Golf Club (honesty box for visitors) – 9-hole picturesque coastline course

Annual events:

Ullapool is a hub for festivals, live music, comedy, performance and other events – which make it such a vibrant location:

• Ullapool Dance Festival - April
• Ullapool Adult Feis -  April/May
• Ullapool Book Festival - May
• Elphin Music Festival - June
• Ullapool Skiff Rowing Regatta - July
• Gairloch Highland Gathering - July
• Inverness Highland Games- July
• Belladrum Music Festival Inverness - August
• Assynt Highland Gathering (Lochinver) - August
• Thunder in the Glens (Harley Davidson Rally) Aviemore – August
• Ullapool Guitar Festival - October

See Ullapool.com or a copy of Ullapool News (Guest Lounge) – for accurate listing dates

Short drives away:

• Leckmelm Gardens (free) – 5 minute drive south – ‘secret botanical garden’ with path down to the loch. Safe for children to explore/dogs on leads allowed.
• Ullapool Hill – path starts a 2 minute walk from Bungalow 500 - it has a well defined path – breathtaking views from the top whatever the season
• Knockan Crag (free) – 15 minute drive north - learn about the geology of the area, how the Highlands came into being - accessible for walkers of all levels. Charles Darwin relied on the work of Scottish Geologists to formulate his ‘The origins of species’!
• Corrieshalloch Gorge (donation box) – 15min drive south highest box gorge and waterfall in the UK
• Inverlael forest (free) – 10 min drive south – walks for all abilities : with its own ‘Harry Potter’ dense forest : magical!
• Ardreck Castle and Manse (free) – ruins on the bank of Loch Assynt – 40 min drive north – stunning location, history and ever changing light.
• Rhue beach and lighthouse – 5 minute drive north – super beach to swim from with a diving shelf. Pebbly beach – but supersized pebbles so comfortable on the feet.
• Ardmair beach – 10 minute drive north – catch a boat out to Isle Martin* or in the evening wait quietly to see the seals.
• Dun Canna beach– a 10 min drive north – then a 45 min walk to a gorgous bay – good for a ‘dip’ on a warm day – often watched by stags!

Day drive outs:

Popular day ‘drive outs’ include a drive to Gairloch (south). Stopping, on the way at Gruinard Bay is a must to walk on the sands. The picturesque drive to Poolewe gives stunning views out to sea over golden beaches and green, rocky islands.. A visit to the famous National Trust for Scotland Inverewe Botanical Garden overlooking Loch Ewe is well worth the drive and has an excellent tea room.

At Lochiner (north) where you can enjoy Achmelvich Beach, Culag Woods, Highland Stoneware, Clachtoll Broch, Falls of Kirkaig ….and not forgetting a visit to Lochinver Larder which is a ‘pie shop heaven’ (TripAdvisor) – bring some home for supper and we’ll re- heat them through for you.

Sandwood Bay / Oldshoremore / Polin – huge white sandy beaches just over an hour’s drive away north (‘child heaven’ and dog friendly). Sandwood Bay is more remote but well worth the walk – finally reaching the most fabulous sand dunes and to see the shimmering sea- stack of Am Buachaille (the shepherd).

Cromarty and Chanonry Point are often a missed opportunities for the NC500 travellers. Cromarty is one of our favourite spots for a day trip – whatever time of year. It takes about an hour and twenty minutes to drive there via the A832. In the summer months you can take a circular drive via the A862 and A9 using the 2-vehicle request ferry at Nigg to Cromarty. Walk around the historic hamlet – with stunning architecture, a harbour, ancient church yards and birth place of Hugh Miller (geologist and writer). Picnic on the seafront lawn. A short drive away there are generally easy sightings of the Moray Firth Dolphins in the Chanonry Point area because it’s a favourite spot for dolphins to find food.

Handa Island* – about 45min drive away north – catch a short boat ride to the wildlife reserve with sandstone cliffs, breeding ground for 100,000 seabirds including puffins. Seals and dolphins may also be seen from the dramatic cliffs.

*Summer boat trips to the Summer Isles, Isle Martin and Handa Island give access to unique environments

For hill-walkers:

‘Walkhighlands’ provides details of the many and varied walks – their difficulty and timings.

• An Teallach Ridge (2 Munros – 1062m)
• Ben Wyvis (1046m)
• Stac Pollaidh (620m)
• Cul Beag (769m)
• Suilven (731m)

To name but a few in this area.