Ullapool – Gateway to the N. Highlands

The picturesque fishing village of Ullapool boasts of being the Gateway to the Northern Highlands. Nestled on the shores of Loch Broom, Ullapool is described as “an outdoor paradise with Scandinavian twinkle” (by the “What’s in Port” website). The website goes on to say that it was also voted one of the top 10 outdoor destinations by Outdoor Fitness Magazine.

With a “guarantee for a truly unforgettable experience”, we headed out on the tender with high expectations.

Another 5 mile hike was on the agenda.  What better way to experience the outdoors, than a hike? Unlike our day at Isle of Man, the sun shown brightly as our cruise ship anchored in the harbor.

Stopping pier side at the visitor center, we were presented with a “Guide to Tracks on Ullapool Hill”. The locals had carefully added hand written notes to the local map to indicate trail markers to make sure they didn’t loose visitors in the hills. In addition, they color coded each track with different colored highlighted marker – one for each route. With our “Lost in the fog” hike still fresh in our minds, we were a bit nervous about fog rolling in, but we were reassured “you can always see the village.” (Apparently, they don’t have the same kind of fog.)

Map in hand we ascended the hilly path behind the town, up and up we went. The higher we climbed, the more the scenery opened up before us. Greens hills, dotted with purple heather and rock outcroppings were in every direction. Below us spanned multiple blue lochs.  At the top, we were presented with a 360 degree vista.

Our trek up “Ullapool Hill” did not disappoint. It was the perfect hike on a perfect day in the Northern Highlands of Scotland – a truly unforgettable experience.

It’s all about the light and the experience of the beauty around us.