Heritage hotspot
Ullapool Museum
Nestled in the picturesque fishing village of Ullapool, on the shores of Loch Broom in the Scottish Highlands, Ullapool Museum offers a fascinating journey into the history, culture and traditions of this remarkable corner of Scotland. Housed in a beautiful former church designed by the celebrated engineer Thomas Telford in 1829, the museum occupies a Category A listed building that is itself an important part of the region’s heritage. Lovingly restored and opened as a museum in 1995, it provides a charming setting in which to discover the stories of the people who have called this rugged landscape home.
The museum’s collections explore the rich social and maritime history of Ullapool and the surrounding Lochbroom area. Visitors can discover the lives of Highland crofters, the development of the fishing industry and the founding of Ullapool as a fishing settlement in 1788. Fascinating displays include traditional household objects, agricultural tools, beautifully crafted model fishing boats and artefacts connected to the area’s seafaring past. The exhibitions also recount the extraordinary story of the Hector, a ship that carried Highland emigrants to Nova Scotia in 1773, and the arrival of the Soviet fishing factory ships known locally as the Klondykers.
Small, welcoming and full of character, Ullapool Museum captures the spirit of a place shaped by the sea, the mountains and the resilience of its people. Whether exploring the village’s fascinating past or simply escaping the bustle of the harbour for an hour, it offers an engaging and memorable glimpse into the history of the Scottish Highlands.