Let the picturesque fishing village of Ullapool capture your heart as it delivers exceptional seafood, quality craftsmanship, and outdoor adventures. (Left: Image by @theseafoodshackullapool. Right: Image by @kayak.summerisles.)
Just an hour and a half bus ride from Inverness, lies Ullapool, crowned the UK’s most beautiful village in 2024 by Big 7 Travel—and it’s easy to see why. Both an active fishing port and a quaint stopover along the famed NC500 (North Coast 500; Scotland’s version of the US’ Route 66), this harbour village is the perfect base to experience a little slice of the Scottish Highlands, particularly if you’re tight for time. Let Ullapool steal your heart with our condensed travel guide.
1. Indulge in incredibly fresh seafood and locally-distilled gin
The Seafood Shack
An award-winning eatery that specialises in fresh, local, sustainably-sourced fish and shellfish, The Seafood Shack has a daily menu that changes depending on what the fishermen drop off that morning. From hefty haddock wraps to creel-caught langoustines, their menu will have you wishing you could order one of everything.
Rhidorroch Distillery Bar & Eatery
Opening July 2025, the Rhidorroch Distillery Bar & Eatery will be Ullapool’s newest face along the harbour front. Here, you’ll be able to enjoy their locally-produced premium small-batch gin, which uses botanicals hand-picked from the nearby Glen Achall and Rhidorroch Estate. You’ll also be able to enjoy a curated grazing board of unique Scottish charcuterie and cheeses.
2. Visit local artisans and specialty producers
Culinary specialists
- The Ullapool Smokehouse: One of the few small, traditional smokehouses remaining in Scotland that offers a mouthwatering selection of salmon, trout, meats, and cheeses.
- West Coast Delicatessen: A cute, fine food deli that carries an exceptional range of quality local Highland produce, sourced from small artisan suppliers.
- Jojo Cafe: A little bakery and ice cream shop that also carries some local products.
Souvenirs
- Unlimited Colour Company: A small retail shop with a passion for fair trade, sustainability, and small-scale production.
- Artworks: A colourful card and gift shop that celebrates the talents of local and regional artists, offering a diverse range of handmade crafts, artwork, and design pieces.
- The New Broom Community Hub & Shop: A store filled to the brim with pre-loved and upcycled products, ranging from clothes to quirky house decor.
Arts and crafts
- HAVØRN: A gallery and craft shop showcasing the best of Scottish art and craft.
- The Harbour Gallery: A gallery carrying a collection of beautiful paintings and prints depicting parts of the NC500 route.
- Handknitted Pottery: A pottery studio offering workshops and pottery for purchase by Hugh Penney.
- Highland Stoneware Ullapool: A pottery shop selling pieces showcasing Highland motifs, handmade by a small team of craftspeople in Lochinver and Ullapool.
- An Talla Solais: A community-led art centre that hosts exhibitions of contemporary art by local, national, and internationally acclaimed artists—some of which are for sale.
3. Go sea life spotting with Shearwater Cruises
Cruise around Loch Broom, Annat Bay, and the dramatic Summer Isles with Shearwater Cruises. You might be lucky enough to spot seals, porpoises, dolphins, whales, white-tailed eagles, or a variety of other seabirds. With sublime scenery and expert guides, it’s clear why Shearwater Cruises has been featured on the BBC, ITV, Landward, Out of Doors, and on American and Australian TV programmes.
4. Adventure via sea kayak with Kayak Summer Isles
Opt for a unique way to explore the stunning rugged coastlines and lochs of Ullapool, Coigach, Assynt, and beyond, with seasoned expedition paddlers at Kayak Summer Isles. With either a sea kayak or a canoe, you’ll journey the pristine waters of the north west coast, with options to stay overnight on a remote beach or isolated island for a sense of wild isolation unlike anything you’ve experienced before.
5. Take day trips: Hill walking, national nature reserves, and breathtaking scenic views
- Ullapool Seafront, Riverside & Rhue Lighthouse: Ullapool has a number of lovely walks where you can mostly avoid road walking. Start from the town centre, along the seafront and river, to Rhue Lighthouse. A fun little fact: If you chance upon a grey seal at the harbour, that’s Sammy the Seal! (The locals call every seal they see Sammy.)
- Ullapool Hill & Loch Achall: Ullapool Hill is a relatively short but steep climb, which rewards you with sweeping views of Loch Broom, the Summer Isles, and beyond. You can continue your walk toward Loch Achall. If you’re up for some adventure, pick your way through the peat fields for a chilly dip in shallow waters.
- Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve: 20km from Ullapool, you’ll find Corrieshalloch Gorge, a dramatic gorge cut by glacial melt water featuring a 150-year-old suspension bridge and a spectacular 45-metre waterfall.
- Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve: 20.3km from Ullapool is Knockan Crag, a geological trail that walks you through 500 million years of Scottish rock formation and breathtaking views.
- Handa Island: 77.3km from Ullapool is Handa, a wild, jaw-droppingly scenic island, accessible only by boat transfer, where you can spot tens of thousands of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills.
- Achmelvich to Scourie on the B869 (about an hour’s drive): A route that rewards you with scenery that changes around every corner, this narrow road is an absolute stunner. Start with lunch at Delilah’s or Driftwood Cafe, and end your mini adventure at Crofter’s Kitchen Scourie, which closes at 7pm. *Tip: At Crofter’s, there’s a little birdwatching hut you can view Scourie Bay from that shelters you from the wind.
Travel tip: There are a couple of buses that operate around the Scottish Highlands. However, they are few and far between, so your best bet would be to rent a vehicle for the day, or be comfortable with hitchhiking, which is quite common among the locals.
