Ullapool

Strath More and Loch Broom from near Corrieshalloch Gorge

The Walks
Ullapool is a keen favourite in the hiking club. The club has stayed there four times since 1996 and many members are keen to go back again and again. The choice of mountains to climb is enormous and the area has a good portion of the finest summits in the North-Western Highlands. The place also excels in coastal scenery and as such, the area caters well for all hiking tastes. It lies on the northern shore of Loch Broom on the North western coast.

For the munroists, the road between Ullapool and Garve serves most objectives with the Fannichs, and Beinn Dearg. These summits are generally grassy although the character of the hills is very different according to which group of hills you climb. Ben Dearg is usully approached from the main road at Inverlael in Strath More, but is a long walk up the valley. There are numerous starting points along the main road through Dirrie Mor and alongside Loch Glascarnoch between Garve and Braemaore junction and on the A832 for the Fannichs to the south.



The A832 from Braemore junction to Dundonnel and Gairloch leads first to An Teallach, amongst the finest munros with it's serrated peaks and airy scrambling. The two munros on the mountain can be climbed from the hotel at Dundonnel avoiding the majority of the scrambling but surely that's not the point. The full traverse of the mountain is best started from Corrie Hallie along the track to the Sheneval bothy, then turning off right and climbing Sail Mor before traversing the ridge to Scurr Fiona. The route ends at the Dundonnel hotel, requiring a suitably helpful driver or a long walk back along the road.

Between Ullapool and Lochinver lie some of the best peaks beneath 3000ft. Stac Polly is a classic miniature peak with a narrow rocky crest and good scrambling in places. This is only 613m high- not even as high as Kinder Scout! But because of ease of accessibility, it attracts many people and can be done in a morning or afternoon. Don't miss out on Ben More Coigach with its fine coastal views. Cul Mor and Cul Beag are prominent from the road. Suilven is also a classic if rather long walk and looks very scary from some angles.

Further north, you head into the very sparsely populated area of Sutherland. The mountains stand out proud amidst desolate moorland. Quinaq, Foniaven and Ben Stack are well worth climbing. If you can convince someone who drives it's a good idea to drive the distance, Ben Hope, the most northerly munro, is worth ascending, as is Ben Loyal.

The coastal walks are some of the best in the country. They are a good place to go to if the forecast is for heavy showers. While you may be enjoying sunshine, the mainland interior may be smothered in cloud and rain. Visit Cape Wrath and see its huge cliffs. Some of the largest sea cliffs in the country exist here and in a storm, you'll have some very impressive waves crashing against them. Some folk say the waves are so powerful that they throw the fish 300m into the air!

A walk that deserves a mention is the climb to Beinn Ghobhlach. From its relatively modest height there are good views to be had in just about every direction. An Teallach to the south, Lewis accross the Minch to the west, miles and miles of coastline and the mountains of Inverpolly to the north. If the boat from Ullapool to the Altnaharrie hotel is running it makes access from Ullapool somewhat easier, otherwise it's a 50 mile round trip via Braemore junction. Well worth it for the views though.

Accommodation
Ullapool Youth Hostel £14 per person per night

Ullapool Youth Hostel is one of the best. Right on the sea front at Ullapool. Good facilities, comfortable rooms, always warm and an absolute star for a manager, Chrissy Boyd.

Eating and Drinking
Pubs are, The Ferryboat (convenient from the youth hostel), The Argyl (tartan carpet), The Seaforth (by the ferry port), The Arch (further down Shore St) and The Ceilidh Place.

Two coaches a day provided by Scottish Citylink run from Inverness.

It is understood that a Stagecoach subsidiary also run a service along the same route.

Check out this map

Gavin Shaw has some excellent photos of the nearby Fisherfield and Letterewe Forests and also the Far North West

Trip Reports

 * Ullapool 2000 Trip Report
 * Ullapool 1999 Easter Trip Report