Ullapool

Ullapool
Cromartyshire
Ullapool
Location
Grid reference:	NH125945
Location:	57°54’-0"N, 5°9’58"W
Data
Population:	1,308  (2001)
Post town:	Ullapool
Postcode:	IV26
Dialling code:	01854
Local Government
Council:	Highland
Parliamentary constituency:	Ross, Skye and Lochaber

Ullapool is a fishing village of around 1,300 inhabitants on the shores of Loch Broom on the west coast of the Scottish highlands. It is located in the parish of Lochbroom in Cromartyshire.

Despite its small size, Ullapool is the largest settlement for many miles around, and is a major tourist destination of Scotland. The North Atlantic Drift passes by Ullapool, bringing moderate temperatures. A few small palm trees grown in town.

The harbour is still the heart of the town, used as a fishing port, yachting haven, and ferry port. Ferries sail to Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides.

Landscape

Sgurr Fiona and the Corrag Bhuidhe pinnacles on An Teallach

The village is blessed with an outstandingly beautiful setting. The region surrounding Ullapool is beset with rugged mountains, most dominant of them An Teallach to the south, Beinn Dearg and Bheinn Ghobblach to the East, close to the head of Loch Broom, and to the north extends Coigach, a mountainous peninsula that is Cromartyshire's largest part, with Ben Mor Coigach its highest mountain.

History

Ullapool was founded in 1788 as a herring port by the British Fisheries Society. The town was designed by Thomas Telford.

Many of the pivotal discoveries of the Victorian era that contributed to the development of the concept of plate tectonics were made in this area, and the town still often hosts international geological conferences.

Parliament granted permission in the 1890s for a railway from Ullapool to the main Highland network at Garve, but insufficient funds resulted in the scheme being abandoned. The town has never been connected to the rail network.

Culture

A view of Ullapool from a nearby hill

Ullapool

Ullapool has a strong reputation as a centre for music, the arts and performance.

The village has a small award-winning museum housed in a church built by Thomas Telford An Talla Solais, an arts centre, a swimming pool and fitness centre, and plenty of pubs, bed and breakfasts, restaurants and hotels. It is a centre for walkers, wildlife enthusiasts and other holidaymakers in the area and is situated in a spectacular and remote part of the United Kingdom.

In May every year a three-day Ullapool Book Festival takes place, attracting a wide range of writers and with work in both Gaelic and English.

The Macphail Centre has a theatre hosting a regular programme of musical, dance and theatrical performances, many by the Scottish national companies but some work from smaller reps and travelling Edinburgh Fringe performers. Often the sheer number of performances in any week will overspill to the Village Hall and other venues.

Ullapool is home to the shinty team Lochbroom Camanechd.

Music

Throughout the year there are many small fèisean and music festivals in the local halls and hotels - especially in The Ceilidh Place and The Arch Inn. The Ullapool Guitar Festival takes place in early October every year, attracting high-calibre performers at several venues over the weekend. The Loopallu Music Festival, first held in 2005, was very well received and has become a major regional annual event, more than doubling the size of the village during the festival. In 2007 it attracted several extremely popular bands. Fringe events occur at local bars.

Ullapool also has its own radio station; Loch Broom FM.

Outside links

• Visit Ullapool tourist information and gallery
• Ullapool tourism, community and business website
• Loopallu Festival website
• Ullapool pictures and information
• Ullapool ferry terminal
• Ullapool — UKULA Travel
• Biggest UK space impact found — BBC News