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A mini guide to
Ullapool, Coigach & Assynt: tips and FAQs
Local know-how and common questions
Local know-how
Tips for visiting
Book the Lewis ferry with a car
CalMac recommends vehicle reservations on the Ullapool to Stornoway route, so book before you plan the rest of the trip.
Check seasonal opening
Ullapool Museum opens seasonally, and some hotels and restaurants in Assynt close for the winter. Check websites before you drive out.
Use passing places properly
Roads to Achiltibuie and Lochinver are largely single-track with passing places. Use them to let other vehicles pass, and never park in one.
Large motorhomes: avoid the coast road from Lochinver to Kylesku
The North Coast 500 FAQ advises large vehicles to take the A837 back from Lochinver instead of the narrow coastal road to Kylesku.
Plan hill days around the weather
Stac Pollaidh and An Teallach are rough mountain ground. Check the Mountain Weather Information Service forecast for the Northwest Highlands before you set out.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where is Ullapool, Coigach & Assynt?
Ullapool, Coigach & Assynt is in North Coast 500, Scotland. The ferry port on Loch Broom, with the Summer Isles, Assynt's mountains and Corrieshalloch Gorge close by. Nearby stops and stations include Ullapool ferry terminal, Ullapool bus stops, Inverness.
How long do I need in Ullapool, Coigach & Assynt?
One to two days, longer if you climb or visit Lewis. Allow longer if you plan to eat out or visit several attractions.
What are the highlights?
Highlights include Ullapool harbour and Loch Broom, Ullapool Museum, Isle Martin. See the Things to do page for more.
How do I get there?
Nearby: Ullapool ferry terminal (CalMac ferry to Stornoway); Ullapool bus stops (Bus to Inverness); Inverness (Rail, coach and air hub); A835 and A837 (Car). The Getting there page links to the official timetables and journey planners.
Where can I eat and drink?
We list 8 places to eat and drink in and around Ullapool, Coigach & Assynt, with filters to help you choose.
Where should I stay?
We list 7 hotels and other places to stay nearby. Check availability and prices with each property.
Is Ullapool, Coigach & Assynt accessible?
Accessibility varies by street, building and venue. Check each attraction or operator’s access information before you travel.
While you are here
Things to see in Ullapool, Coigach & Assynt
A few of the sights in the area. The Things to do page lists them all, with directions and official links.
Summer Isles
Archipelago at the mouth of Loch Broom, seen from the Coigach coast around Achiltibuie and Altandhu.
Stac Pollaidh
Rocky Torridonian sandstone peak just over 610 m high, popular because the path starts from the road.
Knockan Crag
Crag in the North West Highlands Geopark where older Moine schists sit above younger rocks, the subject of the 19th-century Highlands Controversy.
Photo credits
- An Teallach: David Crocker, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Summer Isles: David Fowlie, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Stac Pollaidh: Ian Paterson, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Knockan Crag: Gordon Hatton, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Durness, Thurso & John o' Groats: Paul Hermans (derivative work: Hogweard), CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring North Coast 500