Ullapool Scotland 2004

These #photographs are from Ullapool in Scotland taken on the 1st and 3rd of June 2004. 

While Ullapool is the gateway to the Island of Lewis and Harris, the home of the Calanais Standing Stones, it is also a very worthwhile place to visit in it's own right.

Dierdre MacDonald, a native of the Isle of Lewis and James' fellow Student in Edinburgh, recommended The Ceilidh Place, hotel, restaurant, and music venue in Ullapool and so this is where James stayed. There was indeed top notch folk music played by a live band so the excellent food and drinks were accompanied by a very memorable, in a good way, concert!

In 2004, James was able to park Dierdre's Fantastic Yellow Car at the The Ceilidh Place for free while he travelled to the Island of Lewis where one can pick up a cheap hire car which memory suggests is the cheaper option than BYO.

Note, it may have been free parking because James' stayed at the The Ceilidh Place and because Dierdre's car was recognised on arrival. Either way The Ceilidh Place is a great choice as a place to stay so click on the link for more information: The Ceilidh Place

The Gallery, Above, contains our curated camera proofs. For narrative context, these photographs of Ullapool include views from a nearby hill (Maol Calaisceig) and from the road overlooking Ullapool on James' arrival and departure! 

"A cèilidh or céilí is a traditional Scottish and Irish social gathering. In its most basic form, it simply means a social visit. In contemporary usage, it usually involves dancing and playing Gaelic folk music, either at a home or a larger concert at a social hall or other community gathering place". 

From: Wikipedia

"Ullapool is a village and port located in Northern Scotland. Ullapool has a population of approximately 1,500 inhabitants. It is located around 45 miles northwest of Inverness in Ross and Cromarty, Scottish Highlands. 

Despite its modest size, it is the largest settlement for many miles around. It is an important port and tourist destination. The North Atlantic Drift passes Ullapool, moderating the temperature. A few Cordyline australis are grown in the town and are often mistaken for palm trees. The Ullapool River flows through the town, which lies on Loch Broom, on the A835 road from Inverness. 

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, 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. The Ullapool Guitar Festival is also held annually in the village.

An talla solais, an arts centre, is located in the village, along with a swimming pool and fitness centre, and several pubs, restaurants, and tourist accommodation facilities.

In 1970, Ross and Cromarty council voted to create a new £460,000 (equivalent to £8,987,500 in 2023) ferry terminal at Ullapool, 43 miles (69 km) from Stornoway, replacing that at the Kyle of Lochalsh that is 71 miles (114 km) from Stornoway. 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. At the terminal Caledonian MacBrayne operates a roll-on/roll-off carferry to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis".

From: Wikipedia

Keep Smiling and Thank you for your Visit! Please Buy us a Coffee to Support our Community Work or Contact Us to Arrange to purchase a Print Sized Image or a signed limited edition print.