"Keeweechic's Ullapool" a Ullapool Travel Page by keeweechic

The village of Ullapool was founded in 1788 by Thomas Telford and the British Fisheries Society as a fishing port. The main goal was to exploit a boom in herring fishing around that time. While this was a success, overfishing resulted in a decline from the 1830's and by 1900 the venture was designed as a failure. This left a town which was nicely laid out and well planned with little economic future. It took another 20 years or so for the fishing fleets from eastern Scotland to return and discover the benefits of Ullapools safe anchorage on the western shores. Fishing has remained the heart of the economy of the town. Factory ships sailing from Russian and Eastern Europe have brought about a small cosmopolitan flavour to the town. Cruise ships also anchor just off shore.

Ullapool and the surrounding area is popular for hill walking - the landscape around here is spectacular. Leisure sailors are also an attraction and there are several summer boat trips available to view the local wildlife such as seals, otters and dolphins. The old parish church covers a variety of topics which includes crofting, fishing, emigration and the history of Ullapool and the surrounding area.

Ullapool is a good base for exploring the north west of Scotland as we did. All that I have included as 'off the beaten path' was either done on the way to Ullapool or from there. Unfortunately I don't have much on Ullapool itself.