Ullapool Day Trips & Hikes
How to spend the perfect day in Ullapool, plus day trip suggestions into the surrounding areas. This part of Scotland is truly spectacular - elemental and wild, with hidden beaches and jaw-dropping vistas around every corner. Spend a few leisurely days exploring and driving as much (or as little) as the routes suggested below.
Note that the drive times include your return trip to Ullapool.
Coastal Base
ULLAPOOL
Ullapool makes an excellent base for exploring the wider northwest Highlands, with road and ferry connections that open up some of Scotland’s most dramatic landscapes. Be sure, though, to spend at least a morning or evening in the village itself—its seafront promenade, harbour views, and relaxed atmosphere are well worth enjoying in their own right.
Ullapool
Founded in 1788 as a herring port by the British Fisheries Society, Ullapool has grown from its fishing heritage into a lively Highland village with a strong sense of culture and community. Set on the shores of Loch Broom, it serves as a gateway to the far northwest, yet retains an intimate feel, with whitewashed houses, small shops, and a friendly harbourfront that remains a hub of local life.
Seafront Promenade & Coastal Views
Ullapool’s seafront is the heart of the village, where you can stroll along the promenade and watch ferries depart for the Outer Hebrides or fishing boats return with their catch. The views across Loch Broom are striking at any time of day, whether in the soft light of morning or during one of the west coast’s famously vivid sunsets. It’s an easy and rewarding walk that captures the essence of Ullapool.Walks in Town
For a gentle leg stretch, Ullapool Hill (also called Meall Mòr) offers a waymarked circuit starting right from the village. The full loop takes about 1–2 hours and rewards you with sweeping views over Ullapool, Loch Broom, and the surrounding hills. For something shorter, the riverside path along the Ullapool River provides a pleasant stroll close to the village centre, making it easy to fit in before or after a meal.
Food & Drink In Ullapool
Daytime options:
Cult Café – brilliant daytime eatery serving incredible breakfast, brunch, coffee, and cakes.
The Bothy Coffee Shop – another great daytime option, though more cosy than the above.
Evening options:
The Dipping Lugger – one of the best eateries in Scotland, highly recommended.
Shore Restaurant – a great eatery with seafood.
All day:
Seafood Shack – really, really excellent seafood eatery and the perfect option for something relaxed and casual. Open for lunch and dinner, there’s a garden area or takeaway and eat by the harbour.
Day Trip 1
WEST COAST
Today is a day of road trips to some of the most beautiful parts of the West Coast. The roads are narrow and frequently single-track, which makes for slow progress. The scenery is mesmerising on this section of the NC500, so it’s no hardship! However, if this feels like too much driving, simply remove Applecross from the list (which will halve the miles and time).
197 miles | 5-5.5 hours driving | Map
Stop 1: Applecross via the Bealach na Bà
Applecross is a small village with a big reputation, as you need to drive the switchback Bealach na Bà (Pass of the cattle) road to get there. The views are amazing on a clear day, and there’s a good chance that wild deer will be roaming the streets.
You have a few options for a coffee break/snack:
The Bealach Café (before the Bealach na Bà)
Directions: car park by the Applecross Inn
Note: When leaving Applecross, you have two options: back the way you came or round the coastal road heading north. On a nice day, the coastal road is a good option. Remember, you can skip Applecross to reduce the driving time today.
Stop 2: Shieldaig
The main coastal town in Torridon. The views are great, and there are a few nice eateries and a smokehouse if you’re there around lunchtime.
Directions: waterfront parking
Time: 10+ minutes, depending on whether you have lunch/coffee here.
Note: If you’re not ready for lunch at Shieldaig, drive to the Wee Whistle Stop Café at Torridon or through Torridon valley to The Old Hall Café at Kinlochewe. Alternatively, pick up a packed lunch from Loch Torridon Smokehouse and/or the store. For something a little different, have a look at the social accounts of North Roast Scotland to see if their little quirky coffee trailer is in the area.
Stop 3: Glen Docherty Viewpoint
Turn right at the Kinlochewe junction towards Achnasheen for a 10-minute detour to the famous Glen Docherty Viewpoint.
Directions: car park
Parking: small, free gravel car park
Stop 4: Gairloch Beach
A lovely crescent beach just south of Gairloch.
Directions: car park
Parking: small, free tarmac car park by the cemetery. Toilets on-site.
Stop 5: Arctic Convoy Memorial
A memorial to the lost sailors of the WW2 Arctic convoy and the remnants of an artillery battery. Great views out over the Atlantic.
Directions: car park
Parking: free car park.
Stop 6: Firemore Beach
Large sandy crescent beach, windswept and perfect for a short coastal stroll.
Directions: car park
Parking: free gravel car park.
Stop 7: Inverewe Gardens & Boat Trip
A unique lochside garden cultivated by a father and daughter. Entrance is £15 per adult. If you have time, a local fisherman & scallop diver runs 1 & 2-hour wildlife tours on his fishing boat.
Directions: Inverewe gardens car park
Parking: on-site parking
Stop 8: Falls Of Measach / Corrieshalloch Gorge
The Falls of Measach is one of Scotland's most dramatic waterfalls. It’s set in the mile-long Corrieshalloch Gorge.
Directions: You can park here and walk to the View Bridge and the Corrieshalloch Gorge Visitor Centre for a different view.
Day Trip 2
NORTHERN HIGHLANDS
Today you’re heading north on the NC500 route to see arguably the best scenery in Scotland. Fingers crossed for a nice, clear day as the Assynt landscapes are phenomenal. You have a few options today, depending on your appetite for a long drive on narrow roads.
108 miles | 3.5 hours driving | Map
Stop 1: Stac Pollaidh
Stac Pollaidh (Polly) is a unique, fat-topped mountain. You may be happy seeing it from the window, but if you’d like to go to the top, it’s a 3.5 km round trip and 475 m of ascent. You can also walk halfway to the viewpoint.
Directions: Stac Pollaidh car park
Parking: large, free tarmac car park
Time: 1.5 hours to summit & return. 45 minutes to the viewpoint & back.
Stop 2: Altandhu
As you approach the coast, the views of the Summer Isles are fantastic. Stop off at the campsite car park for the view, then head back the way you came.
Directions: Port A Bhaigh Campsite
Parking: large, free car park above the campsite.
Once you’re back on the main A835, look out at the quirky Sovi’s Coffee and Cake Hut. There’s also a small waterfall (Allt nan Uamh), a short walk away. Bones Cave is here, but it’s quite an involved hike.
Stop 3: Ardvreck Castle
Very little remains of Ardvreck (it’s more of a turret than a castle), but it’s a dramatic, lochside spot and an iconic NC500 attraction. You need to walk a little to see it or drive further along the road for better viewpoints from laybys.
Directions: car park
Parking: gravel, free car park.
Stop 4: Achmelvich Beach
One of the best-known NC500 beaches. A very beautiful spot – expect turquoise waters, fine white sand, and rugged headlands that frame the bay in dramatic contrast.
The beach is tucked down a narrow, winding single-track road, and while parking is limited, there’s a small car park near the campsite, just a few minutes’ walk from the sand.
For a bit of adventure, a short clifftop path heads north along the coast towards the quirky ruins of Hermit’s Castle (reputedly Europe’s smallest castle). This is also where you’ll find the best viewpoint for the beach, and it’s an easy walk along a sandy trail.
Directions: car park
Stop 5: Clachtoll Beach
Another iconic West Coast beach, Clachtoll, is wild, windswept, and wonderfully scenic; a place where jagged rocks meet a sweep of soft golden sand and the Atlantic horizon stretches endlessly.
There’s a sense of remoteness, with only a handful of crofts dotting the landscape. There’s a designated parking area with toilets near the beach, and it’s just a short walk down to the water. A waymarked coastal path leads north past dramatic rock formations and offers wide views back over the beach, plus just along the road is Flossie’s Beach Store, a small café serving coffee and snacks to take away.
Directions: car park
On your way round the loop, pop into Assynt Aromas & Secret Garden.
Stop 6: Allt Chranaidh Waterfall
One of the best waterfalls in Scotland is fed by Loch Coir a' Bhaic above it. You need to backtrack a little to see this, but if you have time, it’s worth it. It involves a short walk to it on an uneven & muddy path.
Directions: layby
Parking: a small layby with some tarmac and some just mud ruts.
Excellent places to eat nearby include:
Crofters Kitchen Seafood Shack (highly recommend)
Stop 7: Kylesku Bridge
One of the most iconic NC500 attractions. The curved bridge spans Caolas Cumhann, where three lochs meet: Loch Glencoul, Loch Glendhu & Loch a' Chàirn Bhàin. You get a good view from the car park, but if you’re feeling adventurous, head up the rocks across the road to get a better viewpoint.
Directions: car park
Parking: large, free tarmac car park
Day Trip 3
EAST COAST
Drive the remote but beautiful Lairg road, which cuts West to East, and spend the day on the charming East Coast. Visit fairytale Dunrobin Castle in the morning, visit Clynelish Distillery, walk the forest trail at Big Burn in Golspie, and spend the afternoon in quaint royal burgh Dornoch.
141 miles | 4 hours driving | Map
Stop 1: Dunrobin Castle
Spend the morning exploring Dunrobin Castle (tickets from £15 per adult). Built around 1500 and restored in the 19th century, the gardens and grounds are truly spectacular, with live falconry shows in the castle grounds throughout the day and lovely coastal views. The best views, however, are easily the fairytale castle - it’s easily one of the most elegant (and best preserved) castles in Scotland.
Directions: Dubrobin Castle car park
Stop 2: Clynelish Distillery, Brora
Set above the coastal village of Brora in Sutherland, Clynelish Distillery combines Highland scenery with a truly distinctive whisky experience.
The Flavour Journey tour (around £21 per person) lasts just under two hours and takes you through the full whisky-making process before finishing with a guided tasting, while the shorter Express Tasting (around £17) offers a relaxed introduction to three drams without the production tour.
If you’d prefer, you can also simply stop by the modern bar to sample a dram at your own pace. The whisky itself is known for its elegant, waxy character with notes of citrus and sea salt—an expression that reflects its Highland coastal setting. The distillery is generally open daily from 10:00–17:00 (with last entry in late afternoon), though it’s best to book tours in advance to secure a spot.
Stop 3: Big Burn Walk, Golspie
Just outside Golspie, the Big Burn Walk is a beautifully mysterious woodland circuit that leads you through a gorge framed by rock walls, across several charming footbridges, and culminates in a dramatic waterfall. The full loop spans approximately 1.7 miles (3 km) and usually takes around an hour, with a shorter option reaching the waterfall in as little as 20 minutes. It’s an easy, accessible trail that’s perfect for a refreshing break and connects you visually with nature—from lush wildflowers to dippers and trout in the water.
Directions: A small car park near the start.
Stop 4: Dornoch
Once a royal burgh, Dornoch is today a charming Highland town that balances centuries of history with coastal beauty. Its cobbled streets, cathedral, and castle speak to its medieval past, while the wide, sandy beach gives it an elegant seaside atmosphere. It’s a lovely place to pause for a few hours, combining gentle strolls, cultural highlights, and a taste of small-town Scottish life.
Dornoch Cathedral
Founded in the 13th century, Dornoch Cathedral remains the centrepiece of the town and is still an active place of worship. Visitors are welcome to step inside and admire its serene interior, restored in the 19th century after centuries of turbulence. The cathedral is typically open to the public during daylight hours, and while entry is free, a small donation is encouraged to support its upkeep.Dornoch Beach
Just a short and easy walk from the centre of town, Dornoch Beach is an award-winning stretch of golden sand backed by dunes and heathland. There’s a small car park by the beach if preferred, but it’s equally pleasant to stroll there from the square. From the shoreline, you can follow a coastal trail that runs beside the beach—walk as far or as little as you like, making it ideal for a gentle outing. It’s a peaceful spot to breathe in the Highland air, with plenty of space for a relaxed wander.
Food & Drinks Option In Dornoch
Highland Larder – a casual takeaway eatery on the beach, there’s a tented seating area.
Surf & Turf – another relaxed option, this excellent chip shop is mainly takeaway but has some seating available inside and outside. The menu is mainly local seafood.
Greens Restaurant – a great eatery with plenty of options for lunch and dinner, including local seafood.
Milk & Honey – charming daytime option for coffee, sweet treats, and smaller plates.
Dornoch Castle – really good food and plenty of options on the menu. You can sit in (for the full menu) or grab a takeaway pizza from their garden pizza oven. There’s a really cosy whisky bar here and friendly staff, a great place to sample a dram if that’s on your list!