Gateway to the North West Highlands

When you arrive in the village it is hard to imagine that it is one of the C18th. ‘New Towns’. The village looks as if it has always been the hub of activity for the population of Lochbroom. But before the 1700’s most of the population of Lochbroom lived around the head of the long fiord of Lochbroom in the glacially carved, U-shaped Strath Mor.

On early maps Ullapool was marked as a small subsistence farm.

The name Ullapool shows the Norse influence. Vikings from Scandinavia conquered and settled in the North & West coast of Scotland starting in late C8th. and lasting to the C10th. - 'Ullibolstade' - Ulla's steading.

During the Jacobite Rebellion, known as ‘the ‘45’ Bonny Prince Charlie was defeated at the Battle of Colloden in 1745. Many west coast Clan Chiefs who supported the cause of the ‘Bonny Prince’ consequently forfeited their lands to the crown. The Earls of Cromarty - who's lands included Lochbroom - were amongst those who lost their lands. The Government feeling was that the unruly Highlanders should be brought to order by creating opportunities for them to better themselves by offering work opportunities and education. It was left to private enterprise to attempt to make the changes.

After a few false starts herring fishing, which had been important in the area for a long time, led the British Fisheries Society to develop Ullapool as a West Coast Centre for Herring fishing and curing.

In an attempt to show you how outsiders saw the area in the 1700’s take yourself back to 1755/6 when the first Commissioner made a journey to the area and noted 'The roads to and through this area are the worst in the Highlands. It is mountainous, rocky and full of stones. No bridges upon the rivers. For a great part of the year the area is inaccessible.' Things have certainly changed since then!

1787 saw the start of the construction of an infrastructure that would support the fishing industry and, it was believed, would create opportunities for the local population around Lochbroom.

Today Ullapool is a vibrant village, not only gateway to the rest of the North West Highlands but also to the Western Isles. Ullapool is the port for the ferry to Stornaway, the main town of the Hebridean Island of Lewis.

Ullapool offers a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets (see useful links). The buzz phrase for the Ullapool Tourism and Business Association is 'Things happen in Ullapool’ and so they do. Pubs with live music, restaurants offering great food, theatre, music, talks, visual arts and other activities in the Community Centre, village hall and other venues ensure both the local community and visitors can never be bored — when you are not out exploring with
Point NorthWest you will be spoilt for choice of things to do.

So we look forward to welcoming you to the most beautiful part of Scotland—the North West Highlands.

About Ullapool

Gateway to the North West Highlands