Shindig Ullapool Programme

Shindig weekends are planned for November 2010 and subsequent

dates in 2011.

Provisional programme as follows:

Friday!

8.30pm

Leave the car at home

Ewen's coach meets you at Inverness to co-ordinate with buses and trains arriving from Edinbugh & Glasgow. We'll meet other times or flights where possible.

Dark skies - see the stars!

We head west over the moor and the lights of towns soon disappear behind us so we stop by Loch Glascarnoch to enjoy the silence and the darkness. (Or bracing wind and rain - it's all good!) A clear night will reward us with a star-studded sky!

Keep toasty and warm.

Sip a complimentary Hot Chocolate (optionally with brandy or whisky).

Wildlife

On the journey we are likely to see wild red deer by the side of the road.

10pm

Arrive Ullapool

Ullapool looks welcoming and peaceful with the harbour lights reflecting in the sea. Drop your bags at your accommodation, freshen up and head out.

Ullapool Harbour at night. Photo courtesy of FreeFoto.com

10.30pm

Eat, Drink and be Merry

At a local bar, by an open fire:

Hot buffet of traditional Scottish Stovies* (meat & veggie).

Accomplished local musicians strike up a traditional improvised session hosted by piper Grant Milne.

Saturday!

We will provide breakfast items at your accommodation so you can get up and help yourself in your own time.

We'll include: Fair Trade orange juice, coffee, tea and cereal. Bread, milk, yogurt, spreads, fruit, local free-range eggs and local oatcakes.

Need a cooked breakfast too? Head to The Teastore where you can use a filled roll voucher towards as big a breakfast as you want.

Loch Lurgainn with Stac Pollaidh on the right.

10.30am

Meet at Louise's indispensable Teastore, pick up an egg, bacon or sausage roll and board the bus.

Knockan Crag

We depart on our wild and windswept excursion! The landscape north of Ullapool is exceptionally beautiful and unusual. We drive through stunning scenery to the tiny turf-roofed Knockan Crag visitor centre where it's easy to understand the story of the exceptional geology of the area and,weather permitting, (WP) the view is great!

(Very easy 10 minute walk)

Stac Pollaidh

We then head along the Achiltibuie road past famous Stac Pollaidh, Cul Mor, Ben Mohr Coigach and alongside beautiful Loch Lurgainn.

Achnahaird Beach

We arrive at the stunning sands of Achnahaird beach and don all our warm and waterproof clothing and head on a short (20 minute) flat walk to the beach.

Beach Bonfire and music!

Here we've arranged a bonfire (WP!) and there's live traditional music to accompany a mug of hot soup.

We don't know what the weather will be like but we think it's exhilarating whether the sea is flat calm and the sun shines or we have to walk into the teeth of a gale! Wrap up well and enjoy whatever nature throws at us! There's time for you to huddle by the fire or wander along the beach on your own.

Summer Isles

Onwards to the viewpoint overlooking the world famous Summer Isles.

Then we head back to Ullapool and the afternoon is your own:

Ullapool Harbour and shops

Stroll round Ullapool Harbour which still has many working boats, visit our excellent bookshops, the Fair Trade gift shop, two excellent bookshops and numerous other enticing quality gift, craft and clothes shops.

Highland Stoneware Tour and Pot throwing demonstration

See our friend Steve demonstrate highly skilled pot-throwing at Highland Stoneware pottery.

Swimming Pool and Sauna

We have a beautiful modern swimming pool with a sauna. It is rarely busy and very relaxing.

Sunset over the sea

3.30pm Wander along the street to catch the sunset over Lochbroom and the Summer Isles (WP)

Ullapool harbour

Rendezvous in a cafe for coffee and music.

7.30pm

Dinner at The Ceilidh Place

Three course hearty Highland buffet at the celebrated Ceilidh Place accompanied by a live traditional music session hosted by Grant Milne.

10.30pm

Live local band

An accomplished local band play their own music in a bar nearby. Or you may prefer to stay with the 'craic' in the Ceilidh Place.

Sunday!

Make your own breakfast, collect the Sunday papers and choose a cafe to relax over coffee.

Optional walk up Ullapool Hill.

11.30am

Depart for Rogie Falls

These beautiful waterfalls are on the way back to Inverness and provide an easy and rewarding walk.

Lunch en route to be arranged.

The Ceilidh Place

5.30pm

Arrive Inverness

Bus/Train departures around 6 - 6.30pm should return you to Edinburgh or Glasgow by 10.20pm. If you need earlier departure times please let us know.

Ask about the low cost option to stay 3rd night and depart Monday morning.

Each weekend is different as we tailor it to suit the availability of restaurants and accommodation.

What's the cost?

Beinn Mor Coigach (Just outside Ullapool)