A weekend in Ullapool

A white-painted harbour town and the ferry gateway to the Outer Hebrides

Independent UK guide
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Updated October 2026

Ullapool is a pretty fishing port on the shore of Loch Broom in the north-west Highlands, with rows of white-painted houses, a lively harbour and a ferry to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. It is on the North Coast 500, and one of the best bases for exploring the far north-west.

It has a good choice of pubs, seafood and live music, and wild coast and mountain scenery all around, with boat trips to the Summer Isles.

Best forWildlife lovers, Walkers, Food lovers, Couples

Best time to goMay to September for the best weather and boat trips. Autumn is beautiful, though the weather can be wild.

Typical budget (2 people, 2 nights)£420–£730, excluding travel

Getting thereInverness: About 1 hour 15 minutes by car.

Check prices for a weekend in Ullapool

Plan your weekend in Ullapool

Top attractions in Ullapool

Ullapool Harbour

A lively working harbour with fishing boats, ferries and seafood restaurants.

Corrieshalloch Gorge

A spectacular gorge with a suspension bridge and a waterfall, about 12 miles south.

The Summer Isles

A group of small islands off the coast, with boat trips to see seals, seabirds and dolphins.

The Ullapool Museum

A small museum on local life, in a former church.

The Stornoway ferry

A two-and-a-half-hour crossing to the Isle of Lewis.

Best things to do in Ullapool

Guides to the activities most people plan a weekend around.

Jacobite steam train

The Jacobite is a steam train that runs between Fort William and Mallaig on the West Highland Line, crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct made famous by the Harry Potter films. Allow about 2 hours each way.

Cairngorm Reindeer Centre

The Cairngorm Reindeer Centre near Aviemore looks after the only free-ranging reindeer herd in the British Isles. Allow about 2 to 3 hours.

Edinburgh Castle visit

Edinburgh Castle stands on an extinct volcanic rock above the city and is Scotland's most visited paid attraction. Allow 2 to 3 hours.

Best areas to stay in Ullapool

The seafront

Close to the harbour, pubs and restaurants.

The village

A good choice of guesthouses and hostels.

Achiltibuie or Lochinver

Remote places further along the coast.

Best hotels in Ullapool

Prices for a double room in Ullapool typically fall around £130–£220 a night in this price band. Guesthouses and B&Bs are usually the best value, while boutique hotels and inns with rooms suit a treat. Read recent guest reviews and use the filters on the booking sites for the things that matter to you.

Compare places to stay in Ullapool

Prices change daily, so check a few sites. For dog-friendly or quiet stays, use the pet and review filters. These are affiliate links.

Best time to visit Ullapool

May to September for the best weather and boat trips. Autumn is beautiful, though the weather can be wild.

Seasons that suit Ullapool well: spring, summer, autumn.

Estimated budget for a weekend in Ullapool

Hotel or B&B, per night for two	£130–£220
Food and drink, per day for two	£65–£100
Activities and extras for the weekend	£30–£90
Estimated total, 2 people, 2 nights, excluding travel	£420–£730

Higher-priced destination. These are rough 2026 estimates and vary by season and room type. Add the cost of getting there. For a personalised figure, use the BritBreaks finder.

Getting to Ullapool

From Inverness: About 1 hour 15 minutes by car.
From Glasgow: About 4 hours 30 minutes by car.
From Edinburgh: About 4 hours 30 minutes by car.

Journey times are rough guides. Check live train and road times before you travel.

A sample weekend in Ullapool

Friday evening: Arrive, settle in and have dinner in The seafront.
Saturday: Start with Ullapool Harbour, then Corrieshalloch Gorge. In the afternoon, head to The Summer Isles.
Sunday: Visit The Ullapool Museum or The Stornoway ferry, then head home.