Gardens

Inverewe  Follow the A832 to the south towards Poolewe to visit this outstanding garden impressively set on the shores of Loch Ewe.

Karrachar Gardens  Follow the road north to Kylesku and take a short 30 min boat trip to this unique and remote garden.

Leckmelm  Just 4 miles east of Ullapool on the main A835 to Inverness, this arboretum, planted in the 1870s, is full of splendid and rare trees, specie rhododendrons, azaleas and shrubs. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, this tranquil woodland setting has an alpine garden and paths which lead down to the shore of Loch Broom.

Seaview  Head south on the A832 to this delightful garden on the shores of Little Loch Broom, halfway between Ullapool & Gairloch.

Hydroponicum  Travel north to Achiltibuie to visit the garden of the future. Overlooked by the mountains of Wester Ross, The Hydroponicum at Achiltibuie has been established since the mid-eighties and is now the premier centre for the demonstration of soilless growing in the UK. Its spectacular growing houses produce extraordinary results, come & see for yourself…

Beaches

Wester Ross boasts some of the most beautiful beaches. Enjoy a stroll along deserted golden sands or admire the beautiful stones:

The journey from Ullapool south towards Gairloch boasts some of the most glorious beaches on the west coast. Take a look at some of them from the beautiful Gruinard Bay to the remote Mellon Udrigle shimmering sands. Carry on to Gairloch and the Big Sands.

A few miles north of Ullapool is the beautiful pebble beach at Ardmair overlooking Isle Martin.

Islands

Ullapool & Wester Ross is a land of islands.

From Ullapool, take a leisurely afternoon trip out to the Summer Isles aboard the Summer Queen or enjoy a faster trip aboard the 12 seater rib Centaur.  The Summer Isles can also be reached aboard the Hectoria from Badentarbert Pier at Achiltibuie.

Isle Martin lies some three miles north west of Ullapool opposite Ardmair Bay. A former RSPB bird sanctuary, the island is owned by the community and run by a Trust. In summer a voluntary ferry operates on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays, weather permitting.

For Birdwatchers, Handa Island is a must. Handa is managed for its wildlife by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The island’s magnificent Torridonian sandstone cliffs rise to over 100 meters in the North-west. Each summer they come alive, when nearly 200,000 seabirds gather here to breed. Guillemots, razorbills, and great skuas reach internationally important numbers. There are also kittiwakes, arctic skuas and some puffins. You will find attractive plant-life and archaeological remains of an old village which was inhabited until 1847.

For a longer trip, catch the ferry to the Western Isles. Caledonian Macbrayne operate summer day trips and all year round crossings.

Lighthouses

The Wester Ross & Sutherland coastline is the setting for some of the most dramatic and romantic lighthouses in Britain. From Cape Wrath in the north to Rua Reidh near Gairloch.

In between, there is Stoer Lighthouse with the famous Old Man just a walk away. Drive north from Lochinver on the B869 single-track road, past Clachtoll and Stoer, turning off just before Rienachait and heading for the lighthouse.

There is a car park at the lighthouse and a rough track leading off over the moorland to view the old man.

Closer to home, Rhue Lighthouse and sea cliffs are situated at the end of the Rhue road which leaves the main road 3 miles north of Ullapool.

Mountains

Ullapool & Wester Ross offer access to a mighty range of mountains and climbing routes.

Accessible too, are the imposing peaks of Assynt & Sutherland.  An Teallach and the vast mountains of the Fisherfield forest to the south compete with the draw to the north of Ben Hope, Ben Loyal & Ben More Assynt to name a few.

Not Munros, but a worthy day out to be had on Stac Polaidh on the Inverpolly Nature reserve, Suilven, Ben More Coigach & Ben Gobhlach.

Geology

Visit some of the most important geological sites in the world:

Come to Knockan Crag, just a half hour’s drive north from Ullapool and discover the amazing story stored in Scotland’s rocks. Follow Scotland’s journey from the South Pole through gripping graphics, cartoons, ‘hands-on’ interactives, sculptures, games, poetry and the unique landscape of Assynt.

Take a trip north to the limestone caves at Inchnadamph or even further north to the dramatic Smoo Cave.

Waterfalls & Gorges

On the main A835 2 miles west of Contin and about half way between Inverness to Ullapool, enjoy the walks and trails around Rogie Falls.

Closer to Ullapool (about 12 miles east) just beyond the junction of the A832 are the spectacular Falls of Measach and the Corrieshalloch Gorge.

The road to Gairloch leads you by the Ardessie Falls between Dundonnell and Badcaul.

Circa 40 miles north of Ullapool in the village of Kylesku take a boat trip to the dramatic Waters of Kylescue.

Circa 20 miles north of Ullapool, turn right at Ledmore Junction and head for Lairg. Circa 7 miles from Lairg is the Falls of Shin centre where you can see wild salmon leaping, enjoy forest walks, gift shops and restaurant.

Low level walks, Forest walks & Nature

It is not only the hardy mountaineer looking to bag Munros who comes to Ullapool and Wester Ross.

The area has a variety of low level and way marked trails to offer the walker, birdwatcher, photographer, painter or simple lover of nature.

The Ullapool Hill walks offer spectacular views over the village and Loch Broom with An Teallach appearing in the distance as you climb to the 300ft summit.
The Tourist Information Office has leaflets for this walk.

Inverlael Forrest offers access to the mighty peaks of Beinn Dearg and Seana Bhraigh but also has many miles of forest trails for walking, cycling & running.

A tour in Wester Ross takes you through many charming villages & hamlets

From Ullapool head east along the A835 to Braemore junction, stop a while in Leckmelm at the Arboretum. Enjoy a walk in the vast Inverlael forest, trails suitable for cycling, walking, running. Stop to wonder at the Corrieshalloch Gorge and the Falls of Measach. Turn south onto the A832 on the Wester Ross Coastal Trail and drive past mighty An Teallach, stop for refreshments in Dundonnell, admire the spectacular Ardessie falls, play on the sandy beaches and stroll around the Inverewe Gardens. A drive from Ullapool to Gairloch will take around one hour by car.

From Ullapool, head north taking the A835 past the sweeping pebble beach at Ardmair looking over to Isle Martin with Ben More Coigach towering behind. Continue north through Strathkanaird, 7 miles North of Ullapool, in the ancient parish of Coigach. Stop a while at the Knockan Crag Visitor Centre and Nature Trails here it is a short drive where you can turn left through the Inverpolly Nature Reserve dominated by Stac Polaidh & Suilven beyond to Achiltibuie. Enjoy the beaches, the smokehouse, the Hydroponicum or take a boat trip to the summer isles.

Alternatively continue north through the district of Assynt. Take the Assynt coastal road to view the Falls of Kirkaig, stop a while in Lochinver.

Head even further north through Kylesku, take a boat trip to the spectacular falls. Feel the atmosphere of Sandwood Bay, the ruggedness of Cape Wrath and the sands of Durness and Balnakiel Bay (Ullapool to Durness is a 2 hour drive).