WALKING, CLIMBING & SKIING

This is a wonderful location for walkers with Loch Broom sitting in the centre of the Fannichs with its range of 9 Munroes. Beinn Dearg and the magnificent  An Teallach, perhaps the most magnificent mountain in Scotland, providing everything that the walker and lover of beautiful scenery could want. To the north of Ullapool are the beautiful areas of Assynt and Coigach.  The walking is perfect for those who simply love to amble through the countryside, to the much more challenging for seasoned hikers who may want to climb the Munroes. Most can be tackled in a day but the more remote areas would mean camping out for several nights.

The forests of Lail and Leckmelm are close by and offer a completely different outdoor experience.

Ullapool has enjoyable path walks that run above the town and offer fantastic views of Ullapool and the Summer Isles.

The sandstone cliffs at Reiff, in non-tidal waters, offer some of the best rock climbing in Scotland,

Sealoch House is only about a 2 hour drive from Aviemore, Scotlands Ski Resort. The ski season can extend from November to April.

Walkhighlands provides details of many walks, providing difficulty grades, lengths and timings.

Munro Magic provides useful information for Munro and Corbett baggers.

Local Experts with local knowledge for the adventure of a lifetime:

McKenzie Mountaineering offer excellent tours or guided walks of spectacular locations

To book a trip with Rosie and Ben, visit: https://www.mckenziemountaineering.com/

Hamlet Mountaineering offer tours and also climbing adventures in sensational locations

To book, visit: www.hamletmountaineering.com

DESERTED SANDY BEACHES

Beach lovers wil be spoiled for choice with the wide expanses of sandy beaches, washed by clear blue seas. Beaches to be found nearby include Gruinard Bay, Achmelvich, Clactol, Achnahaird and Mellon Udrigle. Further afield, you can explore the beaches of Oldshoremore, Balnakeil, Dornoch or travel to the remote and beautiful Sandwood Bay. Have a picnic or bbq whilst enjoying the space, freedom and emptiness of these beaches, surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. Such a combination would be difficult to find anywhere else in the UK.

TOURING/CYCLING

Being on the Famous NC500 car enthusiasts, motorcyclists or cyclists have the opportunity to explore many different routes to experience the stunning roads and scenery around this region. It is easy to understand why the press regularly votes these roads as some of the best in the world to explore. Mountain bikers are not forgotten and there are a multitude of trails and ridges to enjoy.

Local Experts with local knowledge for the adventure of a lifetime:

Want to hire a bicycle for part or a whole day then contact Ullapool Bike Hire

online bookings 24/7 and the availability is in real-time. To book, visit: https://www.ullapoolbikehire.co.uk/ullapool-bike-hire/hire-a-bike/

BOAT TRIPS/CANOES/KAYAKS

From Ullapool harbour, local boats make trips out to the Summer Isles to see the wonderful scenery and the wide variety of wildlife. You may see seals, dolphins, porpoise, whales and very many breeds of birds. Choose a boat or rib with trips lasting between 45 mins to 4 hours.

Further north, there are boat trips to see the stalactites and stalagmites at the Smoo Caves at Durness.

You can also visit the Wildlife Trust reserve at Handa Island, a ten minute ferry crossing which operates during the summer from Tarbert.  The trip takes about an hour from Ullapool and lands on one of the glorious sandy beaches of this wildlife haven. 

Make your own adventure and hire canoes or kayaks or be taken on a guided tour.

Local Experts with local knowledge for the adventure of a lifetime:

Seascape Expeditions offer a thrilling ride on their rib out of Ullapool to explore the Summer Isles

For further details please see their website or contact us on 07511290081. www.sea-scape.co.uk

Shearwater Cruises offer charming boat trips out of Ullapool Harbour to explore the Summer Isles

To book, visit: http://www.summerqueen.co.uk/

Summer Isle Sea Kayaking let you escape onto the crystal clear waters of the far north-west, get close up to nature and capture a sense of freedom To book your adventure, visithttps://www.summerislesseakayaking.com/

Hamlet Mountaineering will take you on a canoe adventure through the Scottish lochs. To book, visit: www.hamletmountain

GOLF

Scotland is, of course, the home of golf and golfers will not be disappointed with experiences on offer in this area.  Ullapool  has a pretty nine hole course that welcomes visitors and there are also good nine hole courses at Gairloch and Durness.

There are 18 hole courses at Golspie, Invergordon and Strathpeffer.

The 18 hole course at Royal Dornoch is a more challenging but it will please keen golfers.

ART

Ullapool and the Highlands attract many artists who love to come at different times of the year to be inspired by colours, moods and seasons. Sealoch House provides a wonderful setting for artists or groups who want to sit on the terrace  or explore the surrounding areas for ideas. 

There are also numerous galleries, exhibitions and many artist's houses that you can visit such as An Talla Solais and Ceard, Close to the house you can visit Lochbroom Pottery, Szeiler Art Gallery and West Coast Textiles

Local Experts with local knowledge for the adventure of a lifetime:

Bridge House Art run weekly art courses and a winter Portfolio course in Ullapool. These are extremely popular and are always oversubscribed.

Contact them at https://www.bridgehouseart.co.uk

Jan Kilpatrick, the renowned Textile Artist runs weekly courses throughout the summer at her studio in Elphin, out of Ullapool.

Contact Jan http://www.jankilpatrick.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHY

This is an amazing destination for photographers, with the beautiful and varied scenery delivering different opportunities and challenges as the seasons change. The work of local photographer Angus Bruce is on sale at the Gallery Cafe in the centre of Ullapool and we would highly recommend his work. Angus also runs courses and organises day trips for photographers to locations that he knows will deliver great results.

Visit his web site at Angus Bruce Photography

AROUND WATERFELL

The area around Waterfell has so much to offer and you do not even have to get in your car to enjoy the surroundings.

Walk out of the front door and amble up the hill, cycle along the road, head down to the beach to explore the shoreline or swim in the loch if you are brave enough! A pod of dolphins was filmed recently in the waters around Loggie and you may spot otters, sea eagles and plenty of other wildlife. You may also see the fighter jets flying along the loch during their training sessions.

Walk to the end of the road and explore the iron age fort ruins of Dun Lagaidh, built around 700-500BC, where it is believed that Robert Bruce signed a charter in 1309 during a seaborne campaign. A walk to Dun an Raigh on the hillside above Rhiroy takes you to where the earliest constructions were believed to have taken place in the 2nd or 3rd century BC.

FERRY

Whilst on your holiday, why not take one of the daily ferry crossings from Ullapool harbour over to Stornaway on the Isle of Lewis? Spend some time exploring the Outer Hebrides, islands included in Trip Advisor's top ten islands in the world, or just visit Ullapool when the ferry is docking to watch a busy harbour in action.

 For timetable of ferries visit Stornaway Ferry.

WHISKY & BEER SAMPLING AND MAKING

Scotland would not be Scotland without its whisky. The Ullapool Ceilidh Place specialises in whiskies from all over the country. For a more direct experience with whisky, visit Loch Ewe Distillery, the smallest distillery in the UK, where you can undertake a one day master class in distilling and visit the whisky bar with its choice of over 300 different whiskies! Another larger, well known producer is Glenmorangie at Tain.

Beer drinkers can visit the Black Isle Brewery  at Inverness

Ullapool has 2 local gins for you to sample: The award winning Seven Crofts and the Rhidoroch Distillery

FISHING

'Gone fishing' may well be your holiday message, as you can fish for trout in many of the hill lochs. It is possible to purchase permits to fish on several local rivers or you can also fish for mackerel from the harbour and Loch Broom or hire a boat for some sea fishing.

Local Experts with local knowledge for the adventure of a lifetime:

James Curley Fishing can take you fantastic locations to try your hand at fly fishing, be you a beginner or an expert. To find out more, visit: www.jamescurley.org

BIRD WATCHING

This area is home to more than one hundred breeds of birds. Handa Island is a nature reserve and, from mid May until August, the sky here is full of arctic and great skuas.  Until late July, hundreds of delightful puffins nest on the rocks and raise their young and also until mid-July up to one hundred and fifty thousand guillemots also inhabit the island.

However, you do not need to travel this far, just looking out of the windows of Sealoch House you will see many breeds of birds.

GEOLOGY

Some four hundred and thirty million years ago, England and Scotland were joined together geologically and Ullapool is on this fault line. The geology of the region is really interesting and the area north of Ullapool has National Geo Park status.  The Knockan Crag Visitor Centre at North West Highlands Geopark tells the story of the region and the history of the many different rock forms found in the landscape. 

The Corrieshalloch Gorge and Nature Reserve is close to Loggie and magnificent views of the gorge can be seen from the swing bridge.

MUSEUM

The wonderful UllapoolMuseum run by local volunteers provides a fascinating insight into the history of the town. 

Take the opportunity to see the Loggie school house, once located on the site of Sealoch House, that has been preserved and is still used at Ullapool School.

LEISURE CENTRE

Ullapool has a fully equipped Leisure Centre, including a swimming pool and sauna,climbing wall, indoor and outdoor courts and a fitness room. This is an excellent facility for those rainy or cooler days.

RELAXING

Worn out by all the activities on offer?  Then why not take the opportunity to just enjoy the wonderful environment of Sealoch House and its surroundings.  Give yourself a well-deserved chance to rest and recharge those batteries by simply spending time gazing out over the ever changing landscape, read, write, play games, chat, play music, cook or have a bbq.

Whatever you choose to do or not to do, we are sure you will go home refreshed, reinvigorated and looking forward to your next visit!

PLACES TO EAT & DRINK

There are a number of Pub/Restaurants located within Ullapool. The award-winning Ceilidh Place (pronounced K-lee) (West Argyle St), The Arch Inn (West Shore Street), The Dipping Lugger ( High end-special occasion on West Shore Street), Ferry Boat Inn, The Seaforth, The Argyll Hotel (Argyle Street), The Royal Hotel (Garve Road), The Clubhouse (Golf Course) The Caledonian Inn.

Coffee/Tea places include The Ceilidh Place, West Coast Deli,The Tea by the Sea and Gelato and Cult on West Argyle Street. The Seafood Shack offers quality takeaway seafood (next to the Mountain shop on West Argyle St). Oak & Grain Takeaway wood-fired pizza ( Quay Street)

Fish & Chips from Deli Ca Sea and The Chippy, both by the Harbour

Chinese Take Away, The Lucky House (Latheron Lane), Indian Restaurant and Take Away, Essence of India (West Lane).

Live Music and Theatre is available, particularly at The Ceilidh Place, The Arch Inn, Argyll Hotel, Ferry Boat Inn, Machphail Centre (Mill Street) and The Caledonian Hotel; see Ullapool News or posters for details.