2 Bedroom Wester Ross & Ullapool cottages

Although just a relatively small town in the north west of Scotland, Ullapool is the largest settlement for miles around and is a popular base for visitors. Still a working fishing and ferry port, the town lies nestled on the shores of Loch Broom, and is surrounded on all sides by magnificent mountains.

Wester Ross is known particularly for its mountains and spectacular scenery. With a good mix of both accessible routes and more wild and isolated landscapes, the area has much to offer, and is a favourite location for holidaymakers, with many visitors returning year after year.

Off the coast of the western Scottish mainland, an archipelago of islands form the Outer Hebrides or Western Isles; the Isles of Harris, Lewis, North and South Uist, Barra and Benbecula are the largest islands in the group, and this island chain contains almost a quarter of all the freshwater lochs to be found in Scotland.

Things to do in Ullapool, Wester Ross
The warm ocean currents that are known as the North Atlantic Drift bring particularly moderate temperatures to the area, creating a fine microclimate and giving visitors the opportunity to fully explore the region, whether on foot, by bicycle or by boat. The surrounding islands offer great sea cliffs which are perfect for abseiling, whilst the beautiful bays and inlets make for great exploration, whether by boat or kayak.

Top Destinations

Isle of Lewis – The largest island in the Outer Hebrides is flatter than its more mountainous neighbour of Harris. Golden Eagle, Common Seals and Red Deer are all attracted by the diverse habitats on the island, whilst Dolphins, Sharks and Whales are often spotted in the local waters. A number of notable archaeological sites can be found on Lewis, and North Atlantic swells give the island some of the most consistent surf to be found anywhere in Europe.

Stornoway – The main town on the Isle of Lewis combines the traditional trades of fishing, farming and Harris Tweed with more modern economic activities, such as tourism and the exploitation of the local oil deposits. The grounds of Lews Castle house extensive mixed woodlands, many of them planted during the 19^th century by Sir James Matheson.

Isle of Harris – With a western coast of spectacular beaches and a more rugged, ‘lunar’ landscape to the north, Harris is a great place to find peace and tranquillity. The island is divided into North and South Harris, and is separated by West and East Loch Tarbert; the unspoilt, white sandy beaches of South Harris contrasting brilliantly with the more mountainous appearance of North Harris, where the Clisham, the highest mountain in the Outer Hebrides, is located.

Isle of Skye – The largest and most northerly island in the Inner Herbrides, Skye is one of the few Scottish islands to have enjoyed an increase in population in recent years. With the picturesque harbour of Portree the largest settlement on the island, Skye is a great centre for tourism; once accessible only by ferry, the island was opened up to a wider number of visitors when it was linked to the Scottish mainland by a controversial new road bridge in 1995. The island is particularly noted for its birdlife, including Kittiwake, Corncrake, Atlantic Puffin and Golden Sea Eagle, as well as for its opportunities for freshwater angling and sea fishing.

Kyle of Lochalsh – A noted stopping point on the way to the Isle of Skye, being as it is the most northerly place accessible by rail, at the end of the mainline rail network, connecting with Inverness and beyond, the Kyle of Lochalsh is also the site of the terminal for Skye ferries. The opening of the Skye Road Bridge means that there are no longer queues stretching through the town during busy holiday periods. The magnificent scenery and the associated local wildlife are key attractions, whilst salmon farming is a relatively new business activity which further supports the local economy.

Isle of Mull – The second largest island of the neighbouring Inner Hebrides, the Isle of Mull is home to the restored grandeur of Duart Castle, the ancestral seat of the Clan Maclean, and a popular film location. Meanwhile, at the northern end of the Sound of Mull, the 18^th century settlement of Tobermory is the main village on Mull, with its picture-postcard row of brightly-coloured houses along the harbourline made more recently famous by the children’s TV programme ‘Balamory’. Golden, Sea and White-tailed Eagles, Otter and Corncrake are key attractions for nature-lovers.

Ardnamurchan Point – A familiar name to listeners to the UK Shipping Forecast, Ardnamurchan Point is an unspoilt and undisturbed headland, and one of the most westerly points on the British mainland, much of which is only accessible via a single track road. The peninsula is home to both Pine Martin and Wildcat, and the area was recently found to be the site of a newly-discovered Viking ship burial.

Gairloch – This village is a popular Summer destination for tourists, with exceptionally fine scenery, together with some wonderful beaches and impressive mountains, surrounding a settlement which includes a small heritage museum, a golf course, and a range of other useful local amenities.