The Scottish peninsula is dotted with many seaside towns and fishing villages, but perhaps none quite so scenic as the beautiful Ullapool in the northwestern point of Inverness, Scotland.
This peaceful area of The Highlands can be reached by those travelling the country’s famous North Coast 500 route and makes for a delightful pitstop for an afternoon at the beach or a romantic night in one of the country’s cosiest coastal towns.
If you’re planning a trip to this picturesque location, here’s everything you need to know.
Read More: Accommodation in Ullapool: 14 Beautiful Places You Can Book Today
Where is Ullapool?
Ullapool is nestled comfortably into the Scottish north coast and overlooks Loch Broom, roughly 45 miles northwest of Inverness in the Northern Highlands region. The nearest airport is Inverness, and for those travelling via car, you will need to stick to the A835.
Ullapool Pronunciation
‘Ullapool’ is pronounced exactly how it sounds: ‘uh-luh-pool’. Although the Scots are proud of their native tongue, Gaelic, the spoken language of the country is predominantly English.
Things to Do in Ullapool
Although the town is modest in size, there is no shortage of things to see and do. Here are a few must-dos to get you started!
Catch Some Rays at Ullapool Beach
Scotland may not be known for typical ‘beach weather’ but that doesn’t mean its abundance of seaside spots can’t be enjoyed to the fullest.
Ullapool’s offering is the tranquil Ardmair Beach, which is full of white pebbles, rock pools, and epic views of the nearby Highland mountains. Irrespective of the weather, a walk along Ardmair is a must, and in the summertime, typical beach activities such as swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding can be enjoyed.
Go Golfing
Scotland, which is one of the golf capitals of the world, has no shortage of clubs, and those visiting the area can pop by Ullapool Golf Course for a round or two.
The great thing about the golf course here is no booking is required, so those visiting the town as a last-minute plan needn’t miss out. And shouldn’t! The course is home to some of the best views of the area!
Puffin Spotting on Handa Island
If puffin spotting is a must then Handa Island is the place to do it. This isle is home to a handful of Toridonian cliffs, which are a hotbed of seabird activity! The best time to see puffins in all their glory is during their mating season, which is between May and July.
Watersports & Boating on Loch Broom
Ullapool’s local loch offering is the lovely Loch Broom, which is an ideal place for wildlife spotting, as well as watersports. Because Broom is a sea loch, it has its own harbour and pier. And while you’re there, why not take a boat or kayak out to the Rhue Lighthouse?!
Admire Corrieshalloch Gorge
The Highlands is known for its abundance of incredible gorges and glens – many of which boast an epic waterfall or two – and Corrieshalloch Gorge is one of them.
However, what makes this particular gorge so special is that it is something of a natural phenomenon and was formed by glacial meltwater, which is a rare occurrence in this particular area.
As sights (and waterfalls) go, this one is pretty spectacular, reaching over 82 feet high, and has a footbridge below to truly admire the gorge in all its glory.
Read the Full Guide to Corrieshalloch Gorge
Visit An Talla Solais Gallery
Embedded within the Ullapool community is a strong love of art, with artists from all over The Highlands showcasing their talent at the An Talla Solais Gallery, which can be found in the heart of the town.
Explore the Bone Caves
Any landmark with such a gloriously gothic and spectacularly spooky name like ‘the Bone Caves’ deserves to be explored, right?!
As a geological site, the location gets its name from the profusion of ancient animal bones found there, namely polar bear, brown beer, arctic fox, reindeer, and lynx, all of which used to roam freely in the country. As well as this, a 2000-year-old ivory pin was also found inside the cave.
Climb Meall Mhor
Hiking enthusiasts seeking out the best trails in the Ullapool area won’t want to give Meall Mhor (AKA, Ullapool Hill) a miss!
Work up a sweat by climbing to the summit of the hill and gape in awe at some of the best panoramic views in this area of Wester Ross. Be mindful that some of the slopes of the Mhor are rather steep, so don’t forget to pack your best walking shoes!
Ullapool Restaurants
Ullapool may not be huge, as towns go, but the foodie scene is pretty good!
West Coast Delicatessen
If you like family-run non-chain eateries, grabbing a coffee or some picnic items from West Coast Delicatessen is a great way to support local trade – and enjoy some fine homemade eats!
Waterfront Bar & Restaurant
If you’re looking for a sit-down meal or a cocktail or two – and with a view of the moonlight dipping into the bobbing waves of the North Sea – the Waterfront Bar & Restaurant is the perfect option for a romantic Ullapool date night.
The Ferry Boat Inn
It is a cardinal sin to visit a seaside town in any part of the UK without popping into the local old-school inn for a meal – fact!
As well as providing a range of homecooked meals, the Ferry Boat Inn has a well-stocked bar that is rife with local whiskies, for those looking to enjoy a dram or two of Scotland’s finest export!
The Arch Inn
Speaking of inns, The Arch Inn, which sits on the lip of Loch Broom and boasts excellent views of the nearby Fannich Hills, has a menu so good that the eatery was featured in Lonely Planet’s ‘Ultimate Eatlist’.
Tea on the Wall
Britain is famous for its love of tea, so a tea room visit is a must on any tourist’s bucket list. But this isn’t any old tea room.
Tea by the Wall allows you to dine in, if you wish, as well as take your tea (and cake) out to the nearby sea wall to enjoy your hot drink while watching the waves of Loch Broom crash below.
Ullapool Hotels
Those wanting to spend a night or two in this picturesque seaside town can take advantage of the following accommodation options.
- Eilean Donan Guest House
- The Royal Hotel
- Harbour House
- Creagan Guest House
- Caledonian Hotel
- Summer Isles Hotel
- Waterloo House
- Holiday Cottage
- The Ruin Cottage
- Inchbae Lodge
- Altnacealgach Motel
How to Get to Ullapool
The Highlands can be rural and remote, but places like Ullapool are suprisingly accessible and easy to find.
If you’re coming from overseas, we recommend flying into Inverness Airport and renting a car, as opposed to relying on public transport. From there, you will find Ullapool circa 55 miles west of the airport if you follow the A835.
This is a SUPER scenic drive and along the way you’ll view the beautiful landscapes of Gairloch, Loch Maree, An Teallach, Achiltibuie, and Coigach.
Many travellers doing the popular North Coast 500 route often stop at Ullapool for a meal or a night in one of the beautiful hotels, as it is an easy detour – and one that is well worth it!
Rent a Car in Scotland
If you’re looking to rent a vehicle to explore the beautiful Ullapool and surrounding areas, there are several great rental companies, including:
FAQs
Ullapool is known and loved as one of The Highlands’ picturesque coastal towns and is adjacent to the tranquil waters of Loch Broom. The town is often referred to as ‘the gateway’ of The Highlands.
There is plenty to do when visiting Ullapool – especially for those with a love of the great outdoors. The Highlands is considered one of the most ‘unspoiled’ places in the UK, meaning there are plenty of hiking trails, lochs, mountains, glens, and beaches to enjoy.
Many places in Scotland get their name from the country’s original language, Gaelic. However, owing to Viking invasions, certain places have names with Norse origins, and Ullapool is one of them.
Supposedly, ‘Ullapool’ loosely translates to ‘Ulla-Bolstadr’ meaning ‘Ulla’s steading’.
Yes, Ullapool is a small but lively town with a decent selection of local, indie shops, including a deli, a gelato shop, and two bookstores.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train link to Ullapool and the nearest station is in nearby Garve, which is considered a small ‘sub-station’. For more direct links to and from the area, you will need to travel to Inverness station.
Just north of the town is one of the area’s most beautiful beaches, Ardmair Beach, which is a rock beach known for its incredible views of nearby mountains and peaceful currents of Loch Broom.
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- Corrieshalloch Gorge Viewpoint: A Complete Guide (+ The Best Hikes!)
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What Camera Gear Do We Use?
- Camera body: Nikon d750
- Phone: iPhone 13 Pro
- Favorite Multipurpose Travel Lens: 24-120mm f/4
- GoPro: GoPro Hero 8
- Drone: DJI Mavic Air is no longer available so we recommend the DJI Air2S
- Camera Bag: Wandrd Prvke 31L
- Tripod: ESDDI Aluminum Tripod
If you want the full list of things we keep in our camera bag, check out the complete guide or browse our photography guides.
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