Ullapool

infobox UK place
country = Scotland
official_name= Ullapool
gaelic_name= Ullapul
population = 1,308 [cite web|url=http://wwwold.highland.gov.uk/plintra/iandr/cen/pop_towns.htm |title=2001 Population of Main Highland Towns & Villages |publisher=UK Government |accessdate=2008-05-14 ]
os_grid_reference= NH125945
latitude=57.90038
longitude=-5.16560
map_type=Scotland
unitary_scotland= Highland
lieutenancy_scotland= Ross and Cromarty
constituency_westminster= Ross, Skye and Lochaber
constituency_scottish_parliament= Ross, Skye and Inverness West
post_town= ULLAPOOL
postcode_district = IV26
postcode_area= IV
dial_code= 01854

Ullapool ("Ullapul" or "Ulapul" in Gaelic, the "U" pronounced like the "U" in "sea gull") is a small town of around 1,300 inhabitants in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland. Despite its small size, it is the largest settlement for many miles around, and is a major tourist destination of Scotland.

History

On the east shore of Loch Broom, Ullapool was founded in 1788 as a herring port by the British Fisheries Society. [cite web |url=http://ullapool-harbour.co.uk/public/history.jsp |title=History |accessdate=2008-05-14 |publisher=Ullapool Harbour Trustees ] It was designed by Thomas Telford.The harbour is still the centre of the town, used as a fishing port, yachting haven, and ferry port. Ferries sail to Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides.

Many of the pivotal discoveries of the Victorian era that contributed to the development of the concept of plate tectonics were made in this area, and there are still regular international geological conferences.

The UK parliament granted permission in the 1890s for a railway from Ullapool to the main Highland network at Garve, but insufficient funds resulting in the scheme being abandoned.

The village has a young group of youth who struggle to find things to do in the area, but this is where the local youth worker Yvonne Boa has come into place and now helps youths, Ullapool are in the process of buying a mobile youth bus to tour the Ullapool High School catchment area

Culture

Ullapool has a strong reputation as a centre for music, the arts and performance.

The town boasts a small award winning museum housed in a Telford Church, [http://www.antallasolais.org/ An Talla Solais] an arts centre with constantly changing exhibitions and workshops, a swimming pool and fitness centre, and plenty of pubs (including the newly re-furbished [http://www.thearchinn.co.uk Arch Inn] on the shores of Loch Broom, and [http://www.theseaforth.com The Seaforth] , Publican Pub of the Year 2007), bed and breakfasts including the newly opened [http://riverviewullapool.co.uk Riverview] , restaurants and hotels. It is a centre for walkers, wildlife enthusiasts and other holidaymakers in the area and is situated in a spectacular and remote part of the United Kingdom.

In May every year there is the three day "Ullapool Book Festival" attracting a diverse range of writers and with work in both Scottish Gaelic and English. There is also "The Macphail Centre" which has a theatre hosting a regular programme of musical, dance and theatrical performances, many by the Scottish national companies but some work from smaller reps and travelling Edinburgh Fringe performers. Often the sheer number of performances in any week will overspill to the [http://www.ullapoolvillagehall.com Village Hall] and other venues.

Ullapool is home to the shinty team Lochbroom Camanachd.

Music

Throughout the year there are many small fèisean and music festivals in the local halls and hotels - especially in "The Ceilidh Place". The "Ullapool Guitar Festival" takes place in early October every year, attracting high-calibre performers at several venues over the weekend. The "Loopallu Music Festival", first held in 2005, was very well received and has become a major regional annual event, effectively doubling the size of the village during the festival. In 2007 it attracted several extremely popular bands including The Saw Doctors, Dreadzone and had world renowned Franz Ferdinand headline on the second night. There are also fringe events at local bars. The Pigeon Detectives are soon to be playing and Amy MacDonald played The Ceilidh Place early 2008.

Ullapool also has its own radio station called Loch Broom FM on 102.2.

Nearby places

* Morefield
* Stornoway (by ferry)

ee also

*Ullapool bolide impact

References

External links

* [http://www.ullapool.co.uk/ Ullapool tourism, community and business website]
* [http://www.loopallu.co.uk/ Loopallu Festival website]
* [http://www.paperclip.org.uk/travel/Ullapool/ullapool.htm Ullapool pictures and information]
* [http://www.spanglefish.com/AccessLewis/index.asp?pageid=29446 Ullapool ferry terminal]
* [http://www.ukula.com/TorontoArticle.aspx?SectionID=5&ObjectID=1846&CityID=3 Ullapool] — UKULA Travel
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7314329.stm Biggest UK space impact found] — BBC News