Ullapool sits on the shores of Loch Broom, its neat rows of whitewashed cottages backed by the rugged peaks of the Northern Highlands. Founded in the eighteenth century as a herring port, the town retains a working harbor atmosphere alongside a growing reputation as a base for outdoor pursuits, with footpaths and coastal walks fanning out from its compact center. The North Atlantic Drift tempers the climate here, softening the edges of an otherwise wild and mountainous landscape.
The village itself is easily explored on foot from the pier, with harborside pubs, small galleries, and shops set along a tidy grid of streets. Beyond town, the surrounding Highlands offer access to lochs, glens, and dramatic coastal scenery that reward even a short excursion. Ullapool serves well as an introduction to Scotland's northwest, a place where sea and mountain meet with little pretense and considerable charm.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in The Highlands .
Hike to Ullapool Hill Viewpoint
A signposted path climbs steeply from the village center to a high vantage over Loch Broom and the surrounding peaks; allow about an hour round trip for sweeping panoramas.
Excursion to Inverewe Garden
This subtropical garden thrives on the coast thanks to the mild Gulf Stream climate, with palms and exotic plantings a scenic drive south of town—book ahead if time ashore is limited.
Explore Corrieshalloch Gorge
A short drive from the pier leads to this dramatic mile-long gorge and the Falls of Measach, viewed from a suspension bridge and platform—an easy, high-impact detour into the wild Highlands landscape.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Click a cruise line to see its The Highlands sailings and Pavlus pricing.
