Arriving in Ullapool you’ll find plenty to keep yourself busy and it’s well worth joining one of the organised tours availble. If you prefer to organise your visit yourself take a look at the wealth of things to do whether active or adventure, historical or cultural or simply relax and enjoy the scenery.
AchiltibuieACHILTIBUIE is a remote crofting and fishing township on the west side of Coigach peninsula. “There is a marvellous amount of nothing to do in Achiltibuie”, says the brochure of the Summer isles Hotel. This is a place to be savoured by those who appreciate how the west of Scotland used to be. it offers [...]
An TeallachAN TEALLACH (G The Forge) is perhaps named for its mists rising like smoke from its heights. This ridge of high peaks, corries, buttresses and craigs dominates Little Loch Broom, but to appreciate its real splendour one needs to do some hiking as the spectacular main corrie is not visible from the road. The mountain [...]
ApplecrossApplecreoss (P Aber Crossan, Mouth of the Crossan) is a large mountainous peninsula composed of Torridonian Sandstone between Loch Kishorn and Loch Torridon. Though not unique in the Highlands for its remote situation, Applecross remains a thriving community. it can only be reached by two long narrow roads or by sea. Bealach na Ba (G [...]
Ardvreck Castle and Calda HouseArdvreck Castle stands at the south end of Loch Assynt. Now a gaunt ruin, it dates from the late 15th century, and was the seat of the MacLeods of Assynt. It was a tower house, at least three storeys high. The circular, corbelled section enclosed the staircase while the vaulted basement probably held the kitchen, [...]
Beinn EigheBEINN EIGHE and Slioch to the north stand sentinel over Loch Maree. In 1951 the first National Nature Reserve was created here, consisting of 230ha of relict Caledonian Forest (G Coille na Glas Leitre, Wood of the Grey Slope) and over 4,000ha of mountain and moorland. Woodland Trail. This type of woodland is known as [...]
CanispCanisp (ON White Mountain, 846m) is to the northeast of Suilven and stands isolated 691m above its surrounding wilderness. The view from the top is regarded as being one of the best in Scotland, and which repays the long trek in from the cam Loch, Loch Awe or Lochinver.
CorrieshallochCorrieshalloch (G Coire Shalach, Ugly corry) has a fine waterfall, Eisan na Miasaich, (G Fall of the Place of Platters) or the Falls of Measach. This 61m deep box canyon is situated just south of Braemore, 12 miles east of Ullapool. The car park and access is off the A832 just after the junction with [...]
Eilean Donan CastleEilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s iconic landmarks, sits on a tidal island in Loch Duich. The Castle was reconstructed between 1911 and 1932 by Lt Colonel John Macrae-Gilstrap, who bought the island in 1911. With his Clerk of Works, Farquar Macrae, he used old plans to create this replica. Webcam coming soon! This webcam [...]
Falls of KirkaigA path follows the river eastwards from here to the Falls of Kirkaig (about 2 miles) through a woodland of Rowan, Hazel and Aspen. The falls themselves are only 18m high, but after rain, they can be quite dramatic. in spring and early summer Salmon may be seen attempting to leap the falls, but they [...]
GairlochGairloch (G Gearr Loch, Short Loch) until recent times looked to the sea for access to the external world. it offers much of what the West Highlands visitor expects and is an excellent base from which to explore the area. The village consists of a series of little settlements nestling round the shore of the [...]
Gruinard BayGruinard Bay (ON Grunna Fjordur, Shallow Bay) runs in a wide sweep from Mellon Udrigle to Little Loch Broom. At its head a large area of sand is exposed at low tide. To the west the shore is shingly and is backed by a prominent raised beach. At the viewpoint above Little Gruinard a scramble [...]
Inchnadamph NNRInchnadamph NNR is something of a paradise for geologists and botanists. The former come to study the complex rock formations of the Moine Thrust, while the latter are attracted by the amazing diversity of plants which grow on the limestone outcrops in this area. Even people with little knowledge of geology or botany cannot fail [...]
Inverewe GardenInverewe Garden was created by Osgood MacKenzie, who purchased the estate of Kernsary with help from his mother in 1862. From then until his death in 1922, he transformed a barren hillside into spectacular gardens and woodlands. His daughter, Mairi, continued his work until 1952 when she gifted them to the National Trust for Scotland, [...]
KintailKINTAIL (G Ceann t-saile, Head of the Salt Water) in the southeast provides a dramatic entrance to Wester ross. The A87 passes though Glen Shiel with 1,000m mountains on both sides of the road, including the lovely Five Sisters of Kintail, before descending to Shiel Bridge at the head of Loch Duich. The Five Sisters [...]
LochinverLochinver is the only large village in Assynt, and owes its prosperity to its excellent harbour. Fishing boats land their catches of whitefish and shellfish here for shipment south. The imposing sugar loaf of Suilven, and neighbouring Canisp, provide a magnificent backdrop to the village. Perhaps the best views are from the side road going [...]
Plockton and StromeferryPlockton (G am Ploc, The Lump) is an impossibly picturesque little village which nestles in a sheltered bay at the mouth of Loch Carron. The National Trust has been successful in preserving its charm, without turning it into a museum. it was built as a planned fishing village in the early 19th century. Britain’s Prettiest [...]
PoolewePoolewe (ON Bolstadir, farm, Farm of Ewe) sits at the head of Loch Ewe where the short river Ewe enters the sea from Loch Maree. The name Ewe is ancient, but could refer to yew trees, which have always been regarded as holy or the Tree of Life. There is a Pictish symbol in the [...]
Strome CastleStrome Castle is now a ruin, but from Norse times or earli- er it was an important strategic site. The present buildingdates from the 15th century, when it was most likely a fortified tower house. it was fought over many times by the MacKenzies and the MacDonalds. in 1602 the Lord of Kintail, Kenneth MacKenzie, [...]
TorridonTORRIDON (ON Thorfinn’s Township, or G Place of Transference) is full of scenic grandeur, its ancient mountains rising steeply and dramatically from sea level to over 1,000m. They loom majestically over Upper Loch Torridon, the little villages of Torridon or Fasag, inver Alligin, Alligin Shuas and Diabaig at their foot.
UllapoolUllapool (N Ulli Bolstadir, Ulli’s Stead) is situated on a sheltered headland near the mouth of Loch Broom. The approach from the east on the A835 gives fine views of the village, with the white washed houses of Shore Street curving round the bay. This attractive spot has probably been inhabited for thousands of years. [...]
