Ullapool and Ardmair Bay

Note the Mountains in the rear. (You can click the pic for a blow-up)

Set amid a panorama of mountains, sea and islands, Ullapool is justifiably known as the “Jewel of Wester Ross”. A thriving village on the fringe of the Atlantic and one of Scotland’s main fishing ports, Ullapool, for many years a leading tourist centre has now even more facilities for the visitor. Good accommodation, restaurants, tearooms, shops, grocers, swimming pool, leisure centre and a golf and disc golf course are all available in the village.

Three miles north of Ullapool and situated around the attractive hamlet of Ardmair Bay are self-catering chalets and cottages. The Chalets, Top House and Croft Cottage are situated above the bay in their own private grounds. Three individual cottages, Stonechat, Corncrake and Skylark are sited above the pebble beach with direct access to the sea. If you decide to visit this lovely part of Scotland you will not only be reluctant to leave, but will be wishing to return.

Ullapool foreshore

Ullapool is the mainland port for the drive on/off ferry to Stornaway in theHebrides. The fascinating group of the Summer Islands provide Loch Broom and Ullapool with shelter from the big seas of the Atlantic. For those seeking an active holiday Ullapool has plenty to offer. Sailing has always been an enthusiast paradise and the safe harbour makes it a perfect base. Hill walking has plenty of challenges for the climber with its complex variety of peaks and ridges.

Trawler leaving Ullapool

Cruises to the Summer Isles leave daily from pier in the summer, fishing for brown trout, sea trout and salmon is available from lochs and rivers. The opportunities for sport and leisure are boundless, and in poor weather Lochbroom Leisure Centre and swimming pool will keep you amused for hours on end with their wide and varied range of activities on offer.

Other good sources of information are the weekly Ullapool News which is published every Friday, Lochbroom FM 102.2FM and the local tourist Information Centre Tel: 01854 612135.

For further information please telephone 01854 612520 or visit www.ardmairbaycottages.co.uk or www.visitscotland.co.uk

Places of Interest

Ullapool Museum & Visitor Centre. 7 & 8 Argyll Street.
A small museum with a variety of artifacts from ancient times to today. Relics of famous people such as the Duke of Wellington to Sir Harry Lauder. 01854 612987.

Inverpolly Nature Reserve.
North of Ardmair Bay. A beautiful and desolate wilderness stretching from seashore to mountain.

Leckmeln Shrubbery & Arboretum
South of Ullapool. A 10-acre Arboretum and 2 1/2 acre walled garden, gradually being restored after it lay unattended for 45 years until 1985.

Corrieshaloch Gorge
A mile long gorge, 200 feet deep, with a suspension bridge to view the 150ft Falls of Measach.

Ardessie Falls
At Dundonnell. Series of Spectacular waterfalls and cascades in a deep gorge. good views of Loch broom.

The Hydroponicum (Achiltibuie) is a space station like structure overlooking the main beach. It is a modern style greenhouse that maximizes the Scottish sunshine where one can find tropical plants, flowers, vegetables, fruits, even vines, lemons and bananas flourishing without soil in a latitude north of Moscow, and taste some of the home grown produce in the Lily Pond cafe-restaurant.

Another place to visit in this area is the Achiltibuie Smokehouse where you can watch the smoking of fish, meat and game and one can purchase some of the products afterwards. The views on the Smokehouse Road over the mountains are fabulous.

As a holiday destination Ullapool itself has lots to offer - situated on the shore of Loch Broom this picturesque fishing town makes an ideal base for touring the West Coast of the Scottish Highlands. In the summer the waterfront is lively with yachtsmen and holiday makers visiting the variety of craftshops, supermarkets, pubs and restaurants.