Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WALKS AND HIKES AROUND ULLAPOOL
Ordnance Survey Explorer maps 439, 436 & 435
Ullapool lies at the start of several excellent
hiking trails
, from sedate shoreside ambles to
strenuous ascents of Munros. As ever, be aware the weather here changes quickly, so take
necessary precautions (see p.42). Northwest Outdoors on West Argyle Street stocks a fair
selection of kit, plus OS maps. More detailed descriptions of the routes below are available
from the hostel on Shore Street.
An easy
half-day ramble
begins at the north end of Quay Street: cross the walkway/
footbridge and follow the river beyond towards the sea. Walk past the golf course and follow
the shore for around two miles to reach a hilltop lighthouse for fine views across to the
Summer Isles. For a harder
half-day hike
, head north along Mill Street on the east edge of
town to Broom Court retirement home, trailhead for the Ullapool hillwalk. A rocky path zigzags
steeply up to the summit of
Meall Mòr
(886ft) for great views of the area's major peaks.
Botanists love the place for its insect-eating sundews and butterworts. The path then drops
sharply down the northeast side into
Glen Achall
, where you turn left onto a surfaced road
running past a limestone quarry; the main road back to Ullapool lies thirty minutes' walk west.
A right turn where the path meets the road takes you through the
Rhidorroch
estate to
Loch Achall, the start of a
two-day wilderness hike
along an old drovers' trail to
Croick
.
Don't tackle this alone or without proper gear, and provide details of your route to someone
before setting off - and call them to confirm your safe arrival. Start off at
East Rhidorroch Lodge
and camp halfway at
Knockdamph bothy
by Loch nan Daimh.
4
when holiday-makers throng its streets, Ullapool remains an appealing place - a good
base for exploring the northwest Highlands with all the cultural life of the only town
worth the name in the region.
Ullapool Museum
7-8 West Argyle St • Easter-Oct Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; by prior arrangement in winter • £3 •
T
01854 612987,
W
ullapoolmuseum.co.uk
The only conventional attraction in town, the
Ullapool Museum
, in the old parish
church, uses photographs, audiovisual and touch-screen displays to provide an insight
into crofting, fishing, local religion and emigration. During the Clearances, Ullapool
was one of the ports through which evicted crofters left to start new lives abroad - it
also has some genealogy resources.
Isle Martin
Isle Martin Trust, 26 Argyle St •
T
01854 612937,
W
islemartin.co.uk • Ferries May-Sept, dependent on weather (£6; contact Ullapool
tourist o
ce for times)
Three miles from Ullapool in Loch Broom,
Isle Martin
was inhabited on and off for a
few thousand years - they say it was named after a follower of St Colomba, who may
be under a fifth-century gravestone in the old graveyard - until the last crofting
families called it a day in 1949. Gifted to the RSPB in 1999, the four-hundred-acre
island is a romantic spot to be a temporary castaway, with beaches, walks and views to
the cliffs of Beinn Mhor Coigach and the Summer Isles. Accommodation overnight is
available in two bothies (£35).
Summer Isles
During summer, the
Summer Queen
steamer (May to early Sept Mon-Sat; from £20;
T
01854 612472,
W
summerqueen.co.uk) and the
Centaur
(Easter-Sept depending on
weather; £28;
T
01854 633708,
W
sea-scape.co.uk), a fast speedboat, run wildlife cruises
and trips to the
Summer Isles
, twelve miles west of Ullapool, to view seabird colonies,
grey seals, dolphins, porpoises and the occasional whale. Whether slow and stately or
fast and full-on in caves, it's a superb trip in good weather.
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