Ullapool

This a neat tidy village bustling with occasions and outlets of every kind together with a well provisioned “charity store” as thrift shops are recognized right here. My jacket for the marriage got here from right here for 5 bucks Lucy advised me. 

I recall formal meals on the Caledonian resort which half a century in the past was the place to go. Lucy tells me it has misplaced a few of that luster however is working its approach again as time modifications all issues. I nonetheless like the outside look. 

These days there are various extra restaurant decisions in such a small city. 

And ethnic meals are additionally obtainable largely in the summertime months of the vacationer season. Ullapool is simply too chilly for me however I actually benefit from the heat of the folks and the small city environment. 

I had by no means heard of a refill retailer, a spot the place you convey your containers to refill them with pastas or nuts or seeds and even soaps and detergents. Lucy was searching for gram flour which is British for chickpea flour and right here it was in tiny Ullapool. 

There’s a grocery store after all which additionally now incorporates the submit workplace because the final submit mistress retired and the stand alone workplace was closed. Tesco is a nationwide chain: 

I bear in mind the previous sea mine standing on the sidewalk in Ullapool since without end. It’s supposed to lift funds for distressed seamen, however Lucy gave me a stricken look and mentioned she’d by no means put any cash in it and naturally neither have I. It’s padlocked so there’s no option to know if there’s any money in there:

Ullapool has a brand new waterfront promenade manufactured from domestically quarried stone:

And a correct new marina for fishing boats and pleasure craft. 

The Harbour Belief spent about six million {dollars} three years in the past to create this new waterfront and ferry terminal. 

And there’s a new in 2022 ferry terminal for the twice every day service to Stornoway on the isle of Lewis. 

Calmac is the ferry firm that serves the Hebrides and the communities alongside the west coast,

…and the harbor is also a stopping level for Norwegian flagged ships that offer the salmon farms on Loch Broom, controversial as they’re. Farmed salmon are raised in horrible circumstances I’ve found, crowded pens full of sea lice that eat the salmon alive. However there’s cash to be made after all and native jobs at stake. 

We had lunch on the Ceilidh (“Kay-lee”) Place the place the ceremony can be carried out.  I had celeriac soup which appeared like potato however had a slight carrot taste. Made additional good with Scottish oatcakes from a stunning menu that reaches far past conventional Scottish dishes and the eating room was packed. 

We inspected the venue and walked round city with Lucy who has a lot on her thoughts already taking time to indicate us the sights. 

The Summer season Isles are half an hour away by boat. 

I bought some details about the islands from the Web as I’ve by no means been myself and it’s about time I did go to.

It was a beautiful sunny afternoon although bitterly chilly within the wind. The sheep didn’t thoughts. 

The highway out to the purpose was a basic Scottish single observe, effectively paved as all the time however solely extensive sufficient for one automobile. Fifty years in the past the principle highway to Inverness was like this however these days it’s solely aspect roads. 

There are frequent pull outs known as passing locations and the rule is you might be by no means ever allowed to park in them. They’re strictly for shifting automobiles solely and they’re marked with a white diamond signal. 

The passing place was on the left, our aspect of the highway so he waited till we reached it and pulled in to let him by:

And since that is the Highlands the 2 drivers wave as they go. 

Loch Broom Wester Ross

The view from my cottage

Ullapool

The Ceilidh Place, Ullapool

The Fowler Clock, Ullapool