Ullapool offers some very nice pubs, including the Ferry Boat Inn. It also has a range of shops from the smallest right up to a well-stocked supermarket: anyone on a self catering holiday is sure to be visiting the latter at some point during their stay.
Apart from the more famous attractions of Wester Ross such as Inverewe gardens, and the Victorian Spa town of Strathpeffer, locally there is a leisure centre, full size swimming pool, a golf course and, museum in an old church. In the evenings there is a surprisingly diverse selection of live entertainment throughout the year.
To the north of Ullapool is the fantastic area of Sutherland and Caithness where some of the landscapes will make you feel you are in another planet, not just another country, wild and rugged, yet it also has it's gentle countryside and many small villages, hamlets and historical locations.
Lochinver and Kinlochbervie are two of the communities you must visit if travelling north from Ullapool, and if you do get to Kinlochbervie then take a day or two to look around Old Shore More and the famous and mysterous (supposingly haunted athough I have never seen the ghosts) Sandwood Bay. If you are like us and take your dogs with you nearly everywhere you should be aware that dogs are not allowed on the walk to Sandwood Bay. If you are asked you to keep your dog on a lead (posters and signs) you must always do that even when your dog is well behaved. If you follow the rules then you will have a great day out with your dog and eveyone including sheep and wildlife will be kept safe.
At Lochinver and Kinlochbervie are fishermans missions where you can get a cracking fish and chip supper. The fish and chip shops in Ullapool are also excellent and if you buy one of the jumbo fish just be aware they do mean "big".
Further north are many more places to discover including Durness, Smoo Cave and the lighthouse at Cape Wrath. This website has information on areas around Ullapool and south of Ullapool towards Poolewe and Gairloch.
The area around Ullapool is famous for mountains such as Fisherfield and An Teallach. Many of our mountains are Munros, that is they are over 3,000 feet high and while there are many places you can go for an easy walk into the hills you should always be aware that the mountains and hills can also be treacherous and make sure you take a map and compass with you. The walks we tend to do with our dogs are "on the flat" so to speak and keep to well marked paths. You can see a few pictures we have taken on one of our walks towards Fisherfield, An Teallach range being nearby.
Activities around Ullapool include walking, as already mentioned, sailing, sight seeing, surfing, fishing, golf just to mention a few. A popular holiday activity is a cruise around the Summer Islands and one of these is offered in a high speed boat, so hang on tight and go for an adventure of a lifetime with Seascape for exciting boat trips around Ullapool and the Summer Islands. And for individuals and groups you can hire your own charter boat from Richard Ross who runs a charter service called Creag Ard Charters. Richard has a new boat this season, bigger and better than his old one and it is ideal for scuba diving trips around the Summer Isles, fishing and personalised cruises around the islands and Loch Broom.
From Ullapool you can travel by boat to many of the Islands on the West Coast of Scotland and for an unusual and interesting holiday idea you have a look at Shetland Geotours. Shetland Geotours give you 'off -the-beaten-track' experiences to enjoy the fascinating landscapes, geology, archaeology, history and wildlife of the Shetland Islands.
