Welcome to Ullapool
THINGS TO DO TODAY
Monday 16 September 2024 – Seabourn Soujourn
Here in the marquee we’re always delighted to help so don’t hesitate to come and talk to us!
ULLAPOOL MUSEUM
Open: 12 noon to 4pm
Admission discount for cruise passengers
Explore our tiny museum on West Argyle Street. Located in a former Thomas Telford Church, learn about Ullapool’s rich fishing heritage, emigration, our own local story of the Clearances. The museum also hosts a highly regarded genealogy service. A small retail area at the entrance has an array of Scottish/local produce including internationally renowned Highland Stoneware – high quality tableware thrown and painted locally and inspired by our local landscape. There’s also a range of locally made beautiful textiles.
HIGHLAND STONEWARE
North Road Ullapool Opens 9am to 5pm
This pottery and factory shop is located on North Road; it’s landmarked by a boat decorated with discarded pottery shards. Pieces are thrown in Lochinver, about 30 miles north of here but are mostly painted here in Ullapool. Highland Stoneware is known throughout the world and is both highly useable as well as highly collectable. Well worth a visit, you can expect to see artists at work – each piece is individually hand-painted. Display pieces are in the welcome marquee and there is a small range in the museum shop if you don’t feel like the 12 minute walk to the shop which you can find by walking along Shore Street, taking a left and walking for about five minutes up North Road.
FOOD & DRINK
The Seafood Shack on West Argyle Street is worth a visit, it’s outdoors – freshly caught fish prepared and served on the day. Locally distilled gin from the stunning Rhidorroch Estate a few miles up the road, is located in a pop-up shop in this wee enclosed yard; this pop-up shop is the predecessor to a long-awaited distillery on the shore front. Opens at noon.
If you’re searching for oysters and there are none left at The Seafood Shack, they can often be found at Deli-Ca-Sea just out the harbour entrance and to the left.
Directly opposite the harbour entrance, the Seaforth is offering special fish and chip taster cones to cruise passengers. You can sample local fish and chips without enduring an enormous portion of food. While you’re at the Seaforth you can also sample locally crafted beer from their sister distillery in Inverness – just ask them about it.
The Highland Liquor Company on Shore Street just opposite the harbour is home to an array of whisky, gin and other goodies – their locally-distilled gin is selling in vast quantities around the globe.
Tiny deli JoJos sources and serves some of the most delicious fresh local food around. Go there to sample haggis, venison, salmon, mussels and classic Scottish fish soup – Cullen Skink. Definitely worth a try. JoJos is on – you’ve guessed it – West Argyle Street. If the sun shines her ice cream is delicious too. Cheese lovers should make their way to West Coast Deli on Argyle Street.
We love The Ceilidh Place, our local go-to cultural space. This gorgeous long low white building at the very end of West Argyle Street boasts a café, restaurant, bookshop and bar – its laid back atmosphere will give you a real flavour of highland life – locals and visitors alike feel at home here.
For a fully Scottish fry-up, go to The Bothy on West Lane – at the entrance to the campsite. Other spaces that offer delicious bacon and egg rolls include JoJos, West Coast Deli and Cult Cafe (on Argyle Street). Cult serves good coffee too.
SHOPPING
The Captain’s Cabin (upstairs just opposite harbour entrance) opens at 8am – for gifts, pottery, clothing, textiles and an array of other gifts. The West Highland Woollen Company and Ceol na Mara is on the seafront – more gifts ranging from fridge magnets to clothing and Scottish jewellery. Check out the cute little tea store and gift shop Tea By The Sea down on the front too. There are two terrific bookshops – one just off the harbour entrance on the hill, the other at the Ceilidh Place. Most shops open at 9am. Ceard on West Argyle Street (just beside the the Seafood Shack) opens at 9am and is well worth a visit – Sara stocks a range of beautiful, locally produced crafts, jewellery and textiles. To pick up a flavour of authentic local crafts, visit:
The Museum Shop for some really great ceramics and locally made textiles, they also stock a limited range of locally produced Highland Stoneware pieces. The Ceilidh Place reception and restaurant walls for current exhibition – open from 8am daily
Ullapool Bookshop, just across from the harbour entrance too is very well stocked.
Everywhere you go you’ll find the locals are really friendly and delighted to chat so dive on in!
WALKS
For reasonably fit walkers, Ullapool Hill affords fantastic views across Loch Broom, The Minch and all the way across to the Summer Isles. Ullapool River Paths at the outskirts of the village are tranquil and green at this time of year. Ask the welcome team in the marquee for directions and maps.
BOAT TRIPS
Check out the booths on Shore Quay – just at the harbour entrance and choose from one of two sealife tours of the waters around Loch Broom and Ullapool. Shearwater tends to go for longer, guided tours with great commentary about the surrounding area and sealife. Seascape offers trips for the slightly more adventurous – dress up in waterproof gear and get on board their rib.
For beautiful trips around Loch Broom and over to Isle Martin (our community-owned island), charter locally-owned and much loved MV Patricia. In a former life Patricia operated as the wee ferry to Tanera Mor (one of the Summer Isles). For more information speak with Skipper Paul Hamilton ( 0044 7800 951681) or speak with the welcome team in the marquee.
* All boat trips subject to local weather conditions.
OTHER
There are rest rooms in the welcome marquee, the ferry terminal just beside it and at the Seaforth bar and restaurant just opposite the harbour entrance.
Taxis are available and are happy to take you on drives just north and south of the village to offer you a flavour of our local scenery, the drivers are happy to chat and let you take photos en route. Call 0044 7795 622 627 and arrange for pickup at the harbour or ask one of the welcome team to call on your behalf.
Need cash? There are two card machines – one at RBS on Argyle Street (second right on leaving the harbour and first left after Ullapool Deli) and at Tesco at Latheron Lane (that’s the fourth left at the harbour exit).
Boots the Pharmacy is located just opposite the harbour entrance on Shore Street. Closes Sundays and daily from 12:30 to 1:30. Tesco stocks a good range of basic medicines.
