Loch Broom, Ullapool

Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers
UTBA
undiscoveredscotland.co.uk
Listed on walkhighlands.co.uk
Listed on bookcottages.com

 

 

Included in the rent:
bed linen & towels
; initial supply of coal & kindlers for open fire; oil (for Stanley Range boiler / cooker).
Additional charge:
electricity @ 14p per unit by meter reading (15p per unit from 03 Jan 2009)
Still available in 2008
weeks commencing:
October 4th @ £470
November 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th @ £395 pw
December 6th & 13th @ £395 pw
December 20th @ £695
2009 Rent per week : -
£(GBP)
395 475 535 595 695
Available weeks in 2009:
Jan 03 10 17 24 31
Feb 07 14 21 28
Mar 07 14 21 28  
Apr 11 18 25  
May 02 09 16 23 30
Jun 06 13 20 27
Jul 04 11 18 25
Aug 01 08 15 22 29
Sep 05 12 19 26
Oct 03 10 17 24 31
Nov 07 14 21 28  
Dec 05 12 19 27
Note: EXTRA DAYS AT XMAS 2009 & NEW YEAR 2010 : Christmas week letting runs from 4pm Sat 19th Dec to 10am Sunday 27th (ie one extra day); Hogmanay week letting runs from 4pm Sunday 27th Dec to 10am Monday 4th Jan 2010 (also one extra day).

Sunset from Stac Pollaidh

An Teallach

Drumrunie waterfall

Sandwood Bay

Oldshoremore

Garvie Bay

Sunset at Rhue

Poppy - Inverewe Gardens
ONE THING TO DO...
(Some of the best experiences available in the Highlands around Ullapool)
ONE MOUNTAIN CLIMBED...
Stac Pollaidh (OS ref NC110105 - Landranger Map 15)
Easy. Good roadside car park (at NC108095). Excellent path all the way to the summit ridge. Gets very busy, especially at weekends. To avoid the crowds, start early or late. No previous mountain walking experience required. Suitable for (resilient) children in good weather. Warning - although reaching the summit ridge is easy, a traverse of the ridge involves some exposed scrambling, suitable for the experienced only. Sunset from the summit ridge is a memorable experience.
Drive - 30mins (one way); Walk - 45 mins (one way) at a good pace.
An Teallach (OS ref NH065837 -Map 19 )
Tough. The jewel in the Wester Ross crown, and #1 favourite among Munroists. A full day out. Eleven peaks, including two Munros (Sgurr Fiona & Bidean a' Ghlas Thuill). A high level of fitness and good mountain experience required. Best approach is from roadside car park at Corrie Hallie (NH 113852), following the track up the burn (Alt Gleann Chorachain), and taking the higher path (at NH 100822) to gain the foothills of Sail Liath, and the climb begins...Unforgettable (no exaggeration). Optional stay over at Shenavall Bothy (NH066810)
Drive - 30mins; Walk / Climb - all day
Other recommended local mountains: Munros - Beinn Dearg range, Seana Bhraigh, Ben More Assynt, Sgurr Mor collection. Others - Quinag, Suilven, Cul Mor, Cul Beag, Ben More Coigach, Canisp etc.
More reading (available in the Cottage): The Munros (SMC), NW Highlands Hillwalking Guide (SMC), Walks in Wester Ross - Shorter Routes, The High Mountains (Butterfield), Wainwright on Scotland, OS Maps.
ONE WATERFALL VIEWED...
Falls of Measach at Corrieshalloch Gorge (short walk / short drive) (OS ref NH204780 - Map 20)
Scottish National Trust. Car park off the Ullapool-Gairloch road, just after the Braemore Junction (at NH200780). Good winding path to viewpoint (but take sturdy footwear). Very deep spectacular gorge. Wobbly suspension bridge…not good for vertigo sufferers.
Drive - 15mins; Walk 10 mins.
Kirkaig Falls (longer walk / longer drive) (OS ref NC112179 - Map 15)
The falls are 18m high and given the remote setting are considered one of the finest in Scotland. Park near the mouth of the River Kirkaig (at OS ref NC085193), and walk up beside the river to the waterfall (4km). Good path most of the way, if a little boggy. Walking boots recommended. Recover at Achins Bookshop / Tea Shop on return. Suggest circular scenic drive route: Ullapool - Lochinver (pretty fishing village) - InverKirkaig (approx 1 hour); return via "mad-bad-road of Sutherland" - Stac Pollaidh - Drumrunie Junction - Ullapool.
And don't ignore - Drumrunie waterfall (at NC163052), Lael Forest Garden waterfall (see later) and Rogie Falls (between Contin & Garve on A835 back towards Inverness).
ONE GARDEN VISITED...
Leckmelm Garden & Arboretum
Just a couple of miles down the road (towards Inverness). Voluntary entry fee. Rare trees. Open April - October inclusive.
Inverewe Gardens
Scottish National Trust. Just beyond Poolewe. The most famous of Scotland's gardens is situated in North West Scotland amid scenery of great natural beauty. It is an oasis of greenery and colour, as far north as Labrador in the west and St.Petersberg in the east, it is warmed by the Gulf Sream and able to sustain plants from many temperate regions of the world. Entry fee.
ONE BEACH SHELL FOUND AT...
Sandwood Bay (OS ref NC220683 - Map 9)
"Sandwood Bay is the most magnificent beach in the UK", according to undiscoveredscotland.co.uk, and it's difficult to argue. A long walk is involved, having parked at Blairmore (NC195600) - it's a day out rather than a quick trip - but very well worth it.
Mellon Udrigle (OS Ref NG 892958 - Map 19)
A stunningly beautiful, small, quiet beach with outstanding mountain views. A Highland gem. Great shells.
More great beaches: Achmelvich (OS Ref NC 058252 - Map 15); Achnahaird (OS Ref NC 016135 - Map 15); Gruinard (OS Ref NG 952902 - Map 19); Gairloch (OS Ref NG 805755 - Map 19); Oldshoremore (OS Ref NC202585 - Map 9); Garvie Bay (OS ref NC041137 - Map 15)
ONE GOLF BALL LOST AT...
Ullapool GC
Our own little 9-holer (with some alternate tees for second 9), on the northern edge of the village. Admittedly not a great challenge for the scratch golfer (except in the frequently windy conditions), but great for the occasional / holiday golfer. Inexpensive green fees; club / trolley hire available. Superb coastal views. Open all year.
Durness GC
The most north-westerly course on mainland Britain - exposed!
And try Gairloch, Strathpeffer, and the East Coast links (Dornoch, Golspie, Brora, Tain, Bonar Bridge etc)
ONE DAY TOURING...
Gairloch & Poolewe Tour : Ullapool - Gairloch - Kinlochewe / Torridon - Ullapool
Taking in some, or all, of Corrieshalloch Gorge, Inverewe Gardens, Loch Maree, Beinn Eighe Nature Trail, Torridon (Beinn Eighe, Liathach views).
Coigach & Assynt Tour : Ullapool - Lochinver - InverKirkaig - Achiltibuie - Ullapool
Taking in some, or all, of Highland Stoneware (Lochinver), Achins Bookshop (InverKirkaig), "mad-bad-road of Sutherland", Hydroponicum, Smokehouse, Summer Isles Hotel (Achiltibuie), Stac Polliadh.
ONE LOCAL HILL WALK...
Ullapool Hill
Plenty of benches at regular intervals to pause and enjoy the great views.
ONE NEW THING LEARNED AT...
Knockan Crag, Elphin (13 miles / 21km north of Ullapool on the A835)
A world renowned geological site, with informative walks (long or short) around the cliff - lots to learn, and fantastic views, Knockan Crag is renowned internationally due to the important geological feature that was first identified there (the Moine Thrust). It is also one of the most important sites for understanding how the landscape of Northern Britain was formed. The rocks at and around Knockan Crag also record the last 3000 million years of history for the landmass that we now know as Scotland. There is an unmanned visitor centre, open all hours throughout the year, with information and interactive displays on the landscape and geology of the area, two circular trails for different abilities, a car park and toilets.
Ullapool Museum - West Argyle Street (everything you could want to know about Ullapool's history)
ONE LOCAL COASTAL WALK...
Ullapool - Rhue - return
Sea air, shells and driftwood.
ONE LOCAL FOREST WALK...
Lael Forest Garden
Ten miles down the road back towards Inverness. Several signed, and unsigned, circular walks, some climbing quite high, with good views. Spectacular waterfall at the main (northern) car park. Also a short, reasonably level walk through the Forest Garden itself. Quite sheltered - useful expedition in bad weather!
ONE GENTLE EXERCISE SESSION AT...
Ullapool Leisure Centre / Ullaspool
Towards the top end of Quay Street. Indoor full-sized court (badminton, soft tennis, table tennis, basketball, football etc) and outside tennis courts. Fitness room. Indoor heated leisure swimming pool - special times for family sessions, lane swimming - and small sauna.
ONE MID MORNING COFFEE AT...
North-West Outdoors (West Argyle Street) - upstairs at the outdoor clothing / equipment store. Nice.
The Frigate (Shore Street) - winner "Best Use of Local Produce" Award in the Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards 2007.
ONE PUB LUNCH AT...
The Seaforth (Quay Street, opposite the pier). Winner of the Publican Seafood Pub & Publican Pub of the Year 2006 and the Seafood Pub of the Year 2007 (SFI Awards). SLTN Music Pub of the Year runner-up 2007.
ONE EVENING MEAL SAVOURED AT...
The Ceilidh Place (West Argyle Street). Great food, great atmosphere. Often has evening (musical) entertainment.
The Caley Inn (West Argyle Street). Part of The Caledonian Hotel.
ONE CORDON BLEU DINNER NEXT DOOR AT...
Tanglewood House. Anne Hollway, an experienced Cordon Bleu restaurant chef, runs the B&B next door and offers a shared evening meal to all-comers, subject to availability - be sure to book ahead. 2008 rate is £33 per person for a four-course meal.
ONE AWARD-WINNING TAKE-AWAY FROM...
The Chippy (part of The Seaforth) BBC Radio 4 Best Take-away 2004. The best Queen Scallops & Chips anywhere!
Seefresh Seafoods (by the butchers on West Shore Street)
ONE SUNSET WITNESSED AT...
Rhue Lighthouse (OS NH092974 Map 19). Drive to the end of the Rhue road. Park and walk the short distance to the Lighthouse, or watch from the car. Fantastic spot to watch the sunset from April through September. A magnet for photographers.
Ullapool Point (call in to see us for a cup of tea!). If you're in Ullapool as the sun sets, and it looks like a good one, come down to the end of West Shore Street (The Point), for a spectacular view NW towards the Summer Isles. Best May through August.
ONE BOAT TRIP AROUND THE SUMMER ISLES ON...
The Summer Queen (slow)
Seascape Expeditions RIB (fast)
Both have booking offices down by the pier, during the tourist season. Best to book in advance during peak season.
ONE ARTISTIC MOMENT AT...
An Talla Solais (Market Street). Art exhibitions and workshops - see The Ullapool News for what's going on.
Rhue Studio (Rhue). The studio of James Hawkins, described by The Scotsman as "... one of the best contemporary landscape painters in Scotland." Gallery is open Mon - Sat, 10am - 6pm. Best to phone in winter (01854 612460) to confirm.
Not forgetting the frequent & varied displays at The Ceilidh Place and The MacPhail Centre
ONE EVENING CONCERT / PLAY AT...
The MacPhail Centre (incorporated within the High School complex on Mill Street). See Ullapool News for performances.
ONE SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANCE AT...
Highland Stoneware (off Mill Street). Outstanding individually hand-painted stoneware pottery & crockery. Sold in Harrods. Expensive, but last a lifetime. A plate or mug is the perfect memento of a Highland trip.
ONE SOUVENIR FROM...
Ceol na Mara (Shore Street) - cheaper, and more predictable
The Captains Cabin (Quay Street - near the pier) - more expensive, but more unusual.
ONE GUILTY INDULGENCE...
A box of home-made chocs from Way Out West (Argyle Street)
A bottle of Single Malt Whisky
ONE FAMOUS LANDMARK IGNORED...
John O'Groats (a very long drive from Ullapool, that you'll wish you'd never made)
General reference websites:
Ullapool Tourism & Business Association - online local business directory and event listing
Undiscovered Scotland
Internet Guide to Scotland
Ullapool High Street - handy list of businesses, with links
Walk Highlands - long and short distance walks around Ullapool
Munro Magic - Mountain Guide for all Munros (3000ft+) & Corbetts (2500ft+)
Hard copy reference sources include (all available in the Cottage):
OS Landranger Maps - 15 Loch Assynt, 19 Gairloch & Ullapool area, 16 Lairg & Loch Shin, 20 Beinn Dearg, 9 Cape Wrath.
OS Pathfinder Map - 111 Ullapool
OS Travel Map - Northern Scotland, Orkney & Shetland
Walks in Wester Ross (Welsh / Sherwood)
Walks in Wester Ross - Shorter Routes
The Munros (SMC - McNeish)
NW Highlands Hillwalking Guide (SMC)
A Guide to Ullapool (information contributed by locals)
The Ullapool News (weekly publication)
Tourist Information leaflets
These suggestions are entirely subjective, and are intended merely as a starting point for first-time visitors to Waterfront Cottage.
There's so much more to experience in the Highlands around Ullapool!

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Waterfront Cottage, Points of Braes, Ullapool, Ross-shire IV26 2TB, Scotland