View source for Ullapool

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2017}}
{{infobox UK place
| country                          = Scotland
| official_name                    = Ullapool
| gaelic_name                      = Ulapul
| edinburgh_distance_mi            = 153
| london_distance_mi               = 485
| population                       = {{Scottish locality populations|name|POP=Ullapool}}
| population_ref                   = ({{United Kingdom statistics year|ScotSettlement}})<ref>{{Scotland settlement population citation}}</ref>
| os_grid_reference                = NH125945
| coordinates                      = {{coord|57.900|-5.166|display=inline,title}}
| static_image_name                = Ullapool sun.jpg
| static_image_caption             = Ullapool
| map_type                         = Ross and Cromarty
| civil_parish                     = [[Lochbroom, Highland|Lochbroom]]
| unitary_scotland                 = [[Highland (council area)|Highland]]
| lieutenancy_scotland             = [[Ross and Cromarty]]
| constituency_westminster         = [[Ross, Skye and Lochaber (UK Parliament constituency)|Ross, Skye and Lochaber]]
| constituency_scottish_parliament = [[Caithness, Sutherland and Ross (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Caithness, Sutherland and Ross]]
| post_town                        = ULLAPOOL
| postcode_district                = IV26
| postcode_area                    = IV
| dial_code                        = 01854
}}
'''Ullapool''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ʌ|l|ə|p|uː|l}};<ref>John C. Wells, ''Longman Pronunciation Dictionary''</ref> {{langx|gd|Ulapul}} {{IPA-gd|ˈul̪ˠapʰul̪ˠ|}})<ref>{{Cite web |last=Iain Mac an Tàilleir |title=Placenames |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Gaelic/placenamesP-Z.pdf |access-date=28 November 2011 |publisher=Scottish Parliament }}</ref> is a village and port located in the [[civil parish]] of [[Lochbroom, Highland|Lochbroom]] in the county of [[Ross and Cromarty]], [[Scottish Highlands]]. It is located around {{convert|45|mi|km|-1|abbr=off}} northwest of [[Inverness]]. According to the [[Scottish Government]] in 2016, the village had a population of 1,520 people, making it the largest settlement in [[Wester Ross]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=statistics.gov.scot {{!}} Ullapool |url=https://statistics.gov.scot/atlas/resource?uri=http://statistics.gov.scot/id/statistical-geography/S19001899 |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=statistics.gov.scot}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ullapool travel |url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/scotland/highlands-and-northern-islands/ullapool |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=Lonely Planet}}</ref>
Ullapool sits on a deep sea loch, [[Loch Broom]], a significant natural harbour. As a result, Ullapool's port is regionally significant with ferries operated by [[Caledonian MacBrayne]] running from Ullapool to [[Stornoway, Outer Hebrides|Stornoway]] on the [[Isle of Lewis]]. It also serves leisure craft, commercial fishing vessels and cruise ships.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About – Ullapool Harbour Trust |url=https://www.ullapool-harbour.co.uk/about-us/ |access-date=2024-10-30 |language=en-US}}</ref>
The [[A835]] road from [[Inverness]] to [[Durness]] passes through the village. This forms part of the route of the scenic tourist route the [[North Coast 500]].
==History==
On the east shore of [[Loch Broom]], Ullapool was founded in 1788 as a [[herring]] port by the [[British Fisheries Society]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |date=5 March 2013 |url=http://www.ullapool-harbour.co.uk/about-us/history/ |access-date=2 June 2014 |publisher=Ullapool Harbour Trust}}</ref> It was designed by [[Thomas Telford]]. Prior to 1788 the town was only an insignificant [[Hamlet (place)|hamlet]] made up of just over 20 households.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Ullapool |url=https://www.scottishaccommodationindex.com/ullapoolpics.htm |access-date=29 July 2018}}</ref> The harbour is used as a fishing port, yachting haven, and ferry port.
A road to link Ullapool with [[Dingwall]] was commenced in 1792.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Miller |first=James |title=The finest road in the world: the story of travel and transport in the Scottish Highlands |date=2017 |publisher=Birlinn |isbn=978-1-78027-430-0 |location=Edinburgh}}</ref> The village was historically in [[Cromartyshire]], a county made up of many separate [[enclave]]s scattered across northern [[Ross-shire]]. Cromartyshire was abolished and combined with surrounding Ross-shire in 1890.
Many of the pivotal [[Victorian era]] discoveries{{example needed|date=August 2023}} that informed the concept of [[plate tectonics]] were made{{by whom|date=August 2023}} in this area. There are still{{when|date=August 2023}} regular international geological conferences{{example needed|date=August 2023}} held in Ullapool, which has been described as the top geological hotspot in Scotland.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 June 2016 |title=Dramatic Scottish coasts among top geology hotspots |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/dramatic-scottish-coasts-among-top-geology-hotspots-1-4156872 |publisher=[[The Scotsman]]}}</ref>
Parliament granted permission in the 1890s for a [[Garve and Ullapool Railway|railway from Ullapool]] to the main Highland network at [[Garve railway station]], but the scheme was abandoned due to insufficient funds.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}
The name is possibly derived from the [[Old Norse|Norse]] word for "wool farm" or "Ulli's farm".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Iain Mac an Tàilleir |title=Placenames |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Gaelic/placenamesP-Z.pdf |access-date=16 October 2018 |publisher=Scottish Parliament }}</ref>
==Landscape and geology==
The region surrounding Ullapool is dominated by rugged mountains, and especially by [[Bheinn Ghobhlach]] to the west, [[An Teallach]] to the southwest (both across the loch), [[Beinn Dearg (Ullapool)|Beinn Dearg]] to the southeast close to the head of [[Loch Broom]], and [[Ben Mor Coigach|Beinn Mhòr na Còigich]] to the north. These summits are referred to as [[periglacial]] enclaves, a term used to describe areas that were adjacent to glaciers and impacted by cold climates.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Goodenough |first1=K. M. |last2=Krabbendam |first2=M. |last3=Bradwell |first3=T. |last4=Finlayson |first4=A. |last5=Leslie |first5=A. G. |date=2009 |title=Digital surface models and the landscape: interaction between bedrock and glacial geology in the Ullapool area |url=https://www.lyellcollection.org/doi/10.1144/0036-9276/01-397 |journal=Scottish Journal of Geology |language=en |volume=45 |issue=2 |pages=99–105 |doi=10.1144/0036-9276/01-397 |bibcode=2009ScJG...45...99G |issn=0036-9276 |access-date=4 July 2023}}</ref>
An Teallach is a mountain which dominates the area and consists of [[Torridonian sandstone]], which is layered nearly horizontally. It is a challenging climb and a considerable distance from the nearest road. Climbing affords views to the sea and the islands to the west, but also to the south, and the desolate Whitbread wilderness.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Make Mine A Big Whitbread Please (1) |url=https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=5811 |access-date=1 June 2019}}</ref>
Ullapool sits on a substantial geological structure known as the [[Moine Thrust Belt]]. This geological feature spans a considerable distance from [[Loch Eriboll]] in the north, extending southwards to the [[Isle of Skye]]. The Moine Thrust Belt represents the western margin of the [[Caledonian orogeny]] which took place during the [[Palaeozoic]] era.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Stone |first1=John O. |last2=Ballantyne |first2=Colin K. |author-link2=Colin Ballantyne |last3=Keith Fifield |first3=L. |date=1998 |title=Exposure dating and validation of periglacial weathering limits, northwest Scotland |url=https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/geology/article/26/7/587-590/206915 |journal=Geology |language=en |volume=26 |issue=7 |pages=587 |doi=10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<0587:EDAVOP>2.3.CO;2 |bibcode=1998Geo....26..587S |issn=0091-7613 |access-date=4 July 2023}}</ref>
==Culture==
[[File:Ullapull 2.jpg|thumb|right|Ullapool]]
Venues for music and the performing arts in Ullapool include the ''Macphail Centre'', which is located in the High School and includes a small theatre,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.macphailcentre.com/ |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=www.macphailcentre.com}}</ref> and ''The Ceilidh Place'', a hotel, restaurant, and music venue which has previously held concerts by artists including [[Rab Noakes]], [[Dick Gaughan]], [[Kathleen MacInnes]], and [[The Peatbog Faeries]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Media |first=Web Smart |title=Whats On at The Ceilidh Place in Ullapool |url=https://www.theceilidhplace.com/whats-on/ |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=The Ceilidh Place |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Spiegel |first=Max |title=Dick Gaughan performing again |url=https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=164663 |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=mudcat.org}}</ref> The Ullapool Guitar Festival is also held annually in the village.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ullapool Guitar Festival, Ullapool – Celtic, Folk and Traditional |url=https://www.visitscotland.com/info/events/ullapool-guitar-festival-p1356301 |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=www.visitscotland.com |language=en}}</ref>
{{Lang|gd|An talla solais}}, an arts centre, is located in the village,<ref>{{Cite web |title=An Talla Solais |url=https://www.antallasolais.org/ |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=An Talla Solais |language=en-GB}}</ref> along with a swimming pool and fitness centre, and several pubs, restaurants, and tourist accommodation facilities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ullapool Visitor Guide - Accommodation, Things To Do & More |url=https://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/ullapool-p236181 |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=www.visitscotland.com |language=en}}</ref> The 19th, and final, Ullapool Book Festival was held in the village in May 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Ullapool Book Festival to be held for last time in 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4nk3pj78pyo |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ANNOUNCEMENT – Ullapool Book Festival |url=https://www.ullapoolbookfestival.co.uk/home-2/ |access-date=2023-07-04 |language=en-GB}}</ref> The [[Tall Ships Races|Tall Ships]] visited Ullapool in July 2011, whilst sailing from [[Greenock]] to [[Lerwick]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-07-14 |title=Tall ships to arrive in Ullapool in the Highlands |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-14142285 |access-date=2023-01-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-07-18 |title=Tall Ships at Ullapool {{!}} The Scottish Coastal Rowing Association |url=https://scottishcoastalrowing.org/tall-ships-at-ullapool/ |access-date=2023-07-04 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
Ullapool was home to the [[shinty]] team [[Lochbroom Camanachd]]; however, the club has not completed a competitive fixture since 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Lochbroom lift Minch Cup |url=https://www.camanachdleodhais.com/lochbroom-lift-minch-cup/ |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=Lewis Camanachd |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Clubs |url=https://shinty.com/clubs/ |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=Shinty.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Music==
Throughout the year there are many small [[fèis]]ean and music festivals in the local halls and hotels, especially in the Ceilidh Place and the Arch Inn. The Ullapool Guitar Festival takes place in early October each year, attracting performers at several venues over the weekend.
The [[Loopallu Festival]], created by the American rock-grass band [[Hayseed Dixie]] and local promoter Robert Hicks in 2005,<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 August 2017 |title=AUK album premiere: Mark Olson "Spokeswoman of the Bright Sun" – Listen |url=http://www.americana-uk.com/auk/index.php?module=contentexpress&file=index&func=display&ceid=15&meid=19}}</ref> was well received and has become a major regional annual event, more than doubling the size of the village during the festival. In 2007 it attracted several bands including [[The Saw Doctors]], [[Dreadzone]] and [[Franz Ferdinand (band)|Franz Ferdinand]] headlining on the second night. There are also fringe events at local bars. [[The Pigeon Detectives]] have played the Village Hall. [[Amy Macdonald (singer)|Amy MacDonald]] in 2008 and [[Paolo Nutini]] in 2007 both played the Ceilidh Place. [[Mumford & Sons]] have also played in Ullapool twice.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-03-02 |title=Mumford & Sons unveil mini festival near Aviemore |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-31664475 |access-date=2023-01-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Goodwyn |first=Tom |date=2011-02-16 |title=Mumford & Sons announce Scotland tour and ticket details |language=en-GB |work=NME |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/mumford-and-sons-205-1301187 |access-date=2023-01-26}}</ref> The final festival took place in 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-09-26 |title=Loopallu festival bows out after 15 years |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-49840591 |access-date=2023-07-04}}</ref>
Since 2023, the village has hosted Scotland's "most remote club night", called ''baile/baile'', which showcases local and national DJs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smail |first=Alexander |date=2024-10-20 |title=Scotland's 'most remote club night' returns to Ullapool this November |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/scotland-now/scotlands-most-remote-club-night-33921820 |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=Daily Record |language=en}}</ref>
Ullapool has a local radio station called [[Lochbroom FM]] broadcasting on 102.2 and 96.8 FM and online, with programming provided mostly by [[Two Lochs Radio]] in Gairloch.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lochbroom FM {{!}}{{!}} Local Radio in the Highlands of Scotland |url=http://lochbroomfm.com/ |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=lochbroomfm.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Two Lochs Radio, Wester Ross, 106 & 106.6 FM |url=http://www.2lr.co.uk/ |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=www.2lr.co.uk}}</ref>
==In popular culture==
The community was rated as among the "20 most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland" by [[Condé Nast Traveler]] in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/beautiful-villages-uk|title=THE 20 MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN THE UK AND IRELAND, 20 October 2020|date=20 October 2020 |accessdate=14 March 2021}}</ref>
Ullapool is referenced in the multiplayer video game ''[[Team Fortress 2]]'' as the hometown of Tavish DeGroot, known in-game as the Demoman,<ref>[https://www.teamfortress.com/classes.php?class=demoman Team Fortress 2 - Demoman] Retrieved 2012-5-7.</ref> and in the name of an in-game melee weapon that the Demoman can choose to have in his loadout, the "Ullapool Caber",<ref>[https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Ullapool_Caber Ullapool Caber - Official Team Fortress Wiki] Retrieved 2017-1-6.</ref> a german type 24 stick hand grenade.
==Ferry service==
In 1970, Ross and Cromarty council voted to create a new £460,000 ({{Inflation|UK|460000|1970|r=-2|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}){{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}} ferry terminal at Ullapool, {{convert|43|mi|km}} from Stornoway, replacing that at the [[Kyle of Lochalsh]] that is {{convert|71|mi|km}} from Stornoway.<ref>{{Cite news |last=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=22 October 1970 |title=Ross and Cromarty council vote. Ullapool is Ferry Terminal |work=[[Aberdeen Press and Journal]] |location=Scotland |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000578/19701022/361/0018 |url-access=subscription |access-date=25 November 2017 |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> The ferry terminal is linked to the A835 trunk road with the [[A893]]. During 2022 the Ullapool Harbour Trust commenced a £4.3 million project to construct a new promenade and wider access road along the trunk road which will improve the inner harbour, provide pontoons for marine tourism and provide better access for pedestrians and cyclists.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ullapool-harbour.co.uk/harbour-developments/ |title=Shore Street & Inner Harbour Development |date=29 June 2018 |access-date=27 October 2022 |via=Ullapool Harbour Trust}}</ref> At the terminal [[Caledonian MacBrayne]] operates a [[roll-on/roll-off]] carferry to [[Stornoway]] on the Isle of Lewis.
==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="140px">
Ullapool Museum Telford Church - churchyard - J H Wallace 1.JPG|Old Telford Church: memorial to J H Wallace, lost in the sinking of the [[SS City of Benares]]
Ullapool Mill Street Old Burial Ground - Cameron Gravesite - image 06.JPG|Mill Street Old Burial Ground: grave of [[John Cameron, Lord Cameron|Lord Cameron]], [[Order of the Thistle|KT]][[Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)|DSC]]
Sgurr fiona.jpg|upright=1.3|Sgurr Fiona and the Corrag Bhuidhe pinnacles on [[An Teallach]]
Ullapool in summer 2012 (5).JPG|Ullapool Ferry Terminal
Ullapool-2003.jpg|A view of Ullapool from a nearby hill (Maol Calaisceig)
Ullapool in summer 2012 (2).JPG|The main street in Ullapool
</gallery>
==Climate==
Ullapool has an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Cfb'') with, considering its northerly latitude, relatively mild temperatures year-round. With an average 1,105 sunshine hours per year, it is cloudier than any major city in Europe.
{{Weather box
|location = Ullapool (1 m asl, averages 1981-2010)
|width = 89.2%
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan high C = 5.1
|Feb high C = 5.5
|Mar high C = 7.0
|Apr high C = 10.0
|May high C = 13.4
|Jun high C = 15.3
|Jul high C = 17.2
|Aug high C = 16.6
|Sep high C = 14.4
|Oct high C = 10.8
|Nov high C = 7.5
|Dec high C = 5.2
|year high C =
|Jan low C = -1.2
|Feb low C = -1.1
|Mar low C = 0.2
|Apr low C = 1.6
|May low C = 3.9
|Jun low C = 7.1
|Jul low C = 9.1
|Aug low C = 8.8
|Sep low C = 6.6
|Oct low C = 4.0
|Nov low C = 1.3
|Dec low C = -1.4
|year low C =
|Jan rain mm = 236.3
|Feb rain mm = 164.0
|Mar rain mm = 175.3
|Apr rain mm = 94.0
|May rain mm = 87.7
|Jun rain mm = 85.7
|Jul rain mm = 98.2
|Aug rain mm = 103.5
|Sep rain mm = 150.3
|Oct rain mm = 199.5
|Nov rain mm = 191.8
|Dec rain mm = 180.5
|year rain mm =
|unit rain days = 1 mm
|Jan rain days = 19.7
|Feb rain days = 17.0
|Mar rain days = 20.4
|Apr rain days = 16.0
|May rain days = 14.7
|Jun rain days = 14.2
|Jul rain days = 14.9
|Aug rain days = 16.5
|Sep rain days = 17.4
|Oct rain days = 20.1
|Nov rain days = 19.2
|Dec rain days = 17.2
|year rain days =
|Jan sun = 26
|Feb sun = 54
|Mar sun = 85
|Apr sun = 134
|May sun = 186
|Jun sun = 151
|Jul sun = 127
|Aug sun = 125
|Sep sun = 96
|Oct sun = 66
|Nov sun = 34
|Dec sun = 21
|year sun =
|source 1= <ref name="Met Office">{{Cite web |title=Ullapool climate |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate/gfk36edd7 |access-date=16 October 2015 |publisher=Met Office}}</ref>
|source 2= <ref name="Scottish Places">{{Cite web |title=Climate information for Ullapool |url=http://www.scottish-places.info/towns/townclimate1637.html |access-date=16 October 2015 |publisher=Scottish Places}}</ref>
}}
==See also==
* [[Morefield]]
* [[Stac Fada Member]], distinctive geology resulting from the largest bolide impact ever to strike what are now the British Isles
==References==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
{{commons category|Ullapool}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
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[[Category:Populated places in Ross and Cromarty]]
[[Category:Ports and harbours of Scotland]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in Scotland]]
[[Category:Fishing communities in Scotland]]
[[Category:Villages in Highland (council area)]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1788]]
[[Category:1788 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Scotland]]