Located on the shore of Loch Broom, Ullapool is a fishing village known for its outstanding seafood and scenic views of the surrounding mountains. A popular destination for holidaymakers planning extensive tours of the Northern Highlands, Ullapool is a short drive from rugged and remote nature reserves like Corrieshalloch Gorge and Knockan Crag. Boats and ferries set off for the Outer Hebrides from the town harbour, making this a key stop for any travellers hoping to explore Scotland’s most remote corners. In town, you’ll find nautical-themed restaurants serving up fresh shellfish, waterfront pubs where local musicians are often playing, and the heritage-listed Ullapool Museum, a visual arts centre with exhibitions and public programs. Despite its remote setting, Ullapool’s active community and picturesque rows of whitewashed cottages lining the coast make this city a worthwhile Highland destination.

If there’s one thing you can bet on when travelling to Ullapool, it’s rain. No matter the season, come prepared to encounter a few showers. You’ll see the most precipitation during winter, when the weather can be mild and daily temperatures rarely drop below freezing. Spring brings the most sunshine and least rainfall, making it one of the more popular times to rent Ullapool cottages. Summers are warm, with days that are ideal for boating and swimming in the surrounding waters. The village’s literary passions run deep: In May, the Ullapool Book Festival brings visiting authors from all over the world for public readings and lectures.

Bone Caves of Inchnadamph

Thirty minutes northeast of Ullapool in Inchnadamph, you’ll find the dramatic Bone Caves. The limestone caves are set into a high cliff, and when they were excavated in the late 1880s, geologists discovered the bones of bears, reindeer, badgers, and wildcats, dating back more than 45,000 years. It’s speculated that the caves formed when glaciers that once made up the terrain retreated, washing the bones into these pockets in the cliffs. You’ll pass a waterfall and cross a series of stepping stones along the trail to get to the caves.

Corrieshalloch Gorge

This protected parkland a 15-minute drive south of town is the perfect day trip for outdoor adventurers. Hiking paths cut through forests filled with ferns, and you can cross a Victorian suspension bridge with jaw-dropping views of the thundering Falls of Measach. The glacial gorge itself is about 1.5 kilometres long and 60 metres deep.

Summer Isles

Rent a boat at the Ullapool Pier for a 45-minute scenic trip to this remote archipelago surrounded by turquoise waters. Tanera Mòr is the only inhabited island of the 20 scattered around this area. Home to picture-perfect natural arches and wildlife like seals and seabirds, the pristine Summer Isles offer a wild retreat into Scotland’s remote coastal islands.