Welcome to Ullapool
THINGS TO DO TODAY
MONDAY 28 APRIL 2025 VIKING VELA
Here in the visitor pavilion we’re always delighted to help so don’t hesitate to come and talk to us! And a special welcome to our brand new visitor pavilion which was constructed over the winter. After years of greeting cruise guests in our old marquee, we thought we’d aim for some solid walls. We hope you love the space as much as we do.
ULLAPOOL MUSEUM
Open: 12 noon to 6pm
Admission free 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. On Market Street, just behind the Village Hall you’ll find An Talls Solais, Community Art Gallery with exhibitions and retail.
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FOOD & DRINK
Directly opposite the harbour entrance, the Seaforth is offering special fish and chip taster cones to cruise passengers. This is the perfect opportunity to sample local fish and chips without enduring an enormous portion of food. While you’re at the Seaforth you can also try out 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. Sadly, our newest family-owned locally produced gin distillery Rhidorroch Distillrey just further down the street isn’t open till July – we cannot wait.
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. JoJo’s Cafe on West Argyle Street is definitely worth a look – she stocks ingredients sourced from local estates and she also makes her own chocolates. Further along up at Argyle Street is West Coast Deli, renowned among cheese-lovers. Opposite the deli is Cult Cafe – we like their coffee.
SHOPPING
The Captain’s Cabin (upstairs just opposite harbour entrance) in one of Ullapool’s oldest buildings is great for gifts, pottery, clothing, textiles and an array of other gifts. On the seafront, the West Highland Woollen Company stocks cashmere, Harris tweed and tartan textiles together with a range of whiskies and gifts and Ceol na Mara sells more great gifts, cloth and Scottish jewellery. Check out the cute little tea store and gift shop Tea By The Sea down on the front too; visitors love their traditional cake. There are two terrific bookshops – one just off the harbour entrance on the hill (below the Captain’s Cabin), the other at the Ceilidh Place. 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. Check out the Ceilidh Place reception and restaurant walls for current exhibitions – they open from 8am daily. Definitely worth a visit is newly opened Havørn right on the corner of West Argyle Street. The owner has recently moved into this newly fitted out premises and will continue to impress with Scottish art and hand-crafted items. She’s told us that today she’s handing out nips of whisky and haggis, neeps and tattie canapés to her cruise guests so line up. Havørn — means ‘sea eagle’ in Norwegian, a nod to our Viking roots. There are a bunch of other cute little gift shops on West Argyle Street too. Highland Stoneware shop and artist’s studio is located on North Road – about a 10-minute walk from here. Famous around the world for it’s distinctive pottery, you’ll more than likely be able to see artists painting the freshly thrown stoneware if you visit. Hugh Penney moved to Ullapool last year and has opened a brand new pottery shop and gallery with outstanding views across the Minch – definitely worth a visit and a chat. If the weather is clement, he’ll set up his potter’s wheel outside his studio for visitors to see the process. His business, Handknitted Pottery, is located on West Terrace.
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.
OTHER
There are rest rooms in the welcome pavilion, 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 in the Welcome Pavilion 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).
Tesco stocks a good range of basic medicines and Boots the Chemist is right across from the harbour entrance.
