Day 8 - Ullapool

[vampyresheep]

After breakfast we went to the harbour to pick up our boat trip tickets.  It was quite a civilised boat, with outdoor areas at front and back, a covered outdoor space and a downstairs bar/seating area. 

Surprisingly it wasn't too busy either, so we had lots of room to move round and find the best viewing spots. 
Rob takes shelter:
 
The trip took us round the bay of Ullapool/loch Broom
 

 
and out to the Summer Isles, travelling around the isles to see sights of interest and hopefully some wildlife

seals!
   

 

a bit chilly out in the open water


a big shark?


a beautifully isolated place to live


Cathedral Cave
 

   
and then a 45 minute lunch stop on Tanhera Mor
 

 

 



before heading back to Ullapool.

big house fire in Achtilbuie


 

Unfortunately we didn't see too much wildlife.  There was a minke whale in the area but it wasn't spotted on our trip.  A porpoise was briefly spotted by others on the journey out and then i was fortunate to catch it jumping out of the water at the end of our trip.  Other than that, it was mostly various birdies and seals.

However it was an interesting trip from a geological point of view, travelling around the numerous islands, seeing the Cathedral cave and spending a short amount of time on the only inhabited Summer Isle, Tanhera Mor.

We were very grateful for the covered area and actually being out at sea itself, as the sun was full pelt and it was very hot indeed. 

Realised just how sweltering it was when we landed back in Ullapool.  It seems that this is not a town geared up for sunny days, so there was nowhere to go in the shade – all the bars were hot indoors and the only outdoor seating area was out on the harbour wall (a beautiful place to sit with a drink but no shade at all!).

We decided to take our victorian swimwear to a nearby beach we spotted from the water, at Rhue lighthouse.
 
However when we got there, after a long uncomfortable climb down to get to the water, there was no sand just a steep camber of large stones, very difficult to walk on and impossible (if not dangerous) to go for a swim.
 

Clambered back up the slope (after spotting some local girls go up by an easier route, there was nearly a path through the rocks and gorse scrub after all!) and headed back towards town for the nearest pub to cool down – tried a Scottish cider, Thistly Cross, which was rather nice if a tad sweet.

After cooling down in our B&B, we went back to the harbour for dinner.  Managed to get a table at the Seaforth Pub and had a very nice seafood lasagne.

Finished off with a Frannoch Heather Ale at the Calley Inn, on the way back to our B&B
 
and then joined the crowds watching the sunset.  Quite spectacular tonight, so I got a good few more photos.

 

 

 

and more ohotos here!