Shore Excursions Ullapool

Expert-led experiences off the beaten track to venture beyond the obvious and explore in a fun and meaningful way

Skip the crowds and join our small group tours (18 people max.) with our friendly, local expert guides.

Two shore excursions are on offer, tailored for cruise ship visitors, to make the most of your time in port:

Highland Cows Experience, Scenic Northwest Highlands Drive and Cake & Coffee/Tea with a View

Tales and Tastes of Ullapool – short walks, historic sights, natural wonders, sit-in with delicious Food & Drink

For your convenience the meeting point is at the harbour for both experiences.

Your guides live in Ullapool and have an authentic intimate knowledge of the places you visit.

Shore excursion dates 2026

JUNE 2026

JULY 2026

AUGUST 2026

SEPTEMBER 2026

Highland Cows & Scenic Highlands

See, touch and comb Highland Cows, scenic drive through the wild Northwest Highlands, homemade cake and fresh coffee/tea in the midst of a mountain range, small coach, local expert guide, ca. 3 hours and 45 min. tour

After a warm welcome from your local guide who lives in Ullapool and knows every corner on your journey like the back of their hand, hop on our mini coach. Enjoy breath-taking landscapes, dramatic views and spectacular panoramas during the drive through this wild corner of the world. A photo stop on the way makes for an opportunity to immerse yourself further in the Highlands. At a sustainable charming farm away from it all with a quaint tearoom indulge in complimentary homemade cake and a freshly brewed coffee or tea while taking in the stunning mountain vista that unfolds in front of you. But the magic does not stop here as it is time to head to another scenic farm to meet iconic Highland cattle. Catch incredible photos of these legendary, much-beloved Highland cows, or even a selfie with them! Get up close and personal with these gentle beauties with their long horns and shaggy coat. And yes, you can even comb them if you wish – an unforgettable experience!

Perfect for curious people who love to meet, touch and comb Highland cows, take great photos, experience breath-taking nature, and love a cuppa and homemade cake in a peaceful and stunning setting.

What you need to know: It’s a very short walk to the Highland cows on partly uneven surface. The cow experience is outside, so comfortable shoes and rain gear are advised. The tearoom offers restrooms. Homemade cake and coffee/tea included. Please advise us beforehand if you have any allergies. Tour led by a local expert guide.

Price: £ 110 per person, max. 18 people per tour (min. 11). Please contact us to reserve your spot.

Kindly note: as a solo traveller it is likely that you will share your seat row with a fellow solo adventurer.

Tales and Tastes of Ullapool

Historic harbour area, storytelling, hidden gems, scones, cakes, coffee and whisky/gin, local expert guide, 2.5 hours

You will be welcomed by your friendly local guide who loves to share their home with you. Your adventure begins with a 30 minute leisurely walk through Ullapool’s historic heart away from the crowds. Explore Ullapool’s oldest buildings and streets, listen to the stories behind them, immerse yourself in Ullapool’s heritage and enjoy breathtaking views. Then relax and indulge in authentic homebaking, freshly baked scones and cakes with coffee or tea, and a dram of whisky or local gin in a cosy café loved by locals. Sit back and soak up the atmosphere as your knowledgeable guide brings Ullapool’s past and present to life with captivating stories and genuine local insight. Venture back to the harbour on a different path and discover some hidden gems and local stories and folklore on this 20 minute stroll.

Perfect for curious people who love a blend of culture, flavour, stories, history and Highland hospitality.

What you need to know: Walking time is roughly 50 minute with various stops. Easy walk on sidewalks with one small incline and decline, comfortable shoes advised. Food and drink included: scones with cream and jam and cakes plus a hot beverage (coffee/tea/hot chocolate) plus a drink (whisky/local gin/beer or a soft drink/water). Tour led by a local expert guide.

Price: £ 65 per person, max. 14 people (min. 6). Please contact us to reserve your spot.

Info & Frequently asked questions shore excursion tours

Please use the contact form on the website or send us an email stating the which tour you are interested in and how many people you are. We will get back to you to confirm your booking and provide you with all the information you need. Please note that we are a small 2 person company and might be guiding tours when you contact us. We will reply as soon as possible.

We only accept cash payments at the moment.We are happy to email you an invoice after the tour if you wish.

ATMs/Cash machines with free withdrawals can be found in front of Tesco supermarket but are 25 minutes away from the harbour and not on route on our tours. 

We advise organising cash beforehand. Thank you!

To make it most convenient for you, the tours start at the harbour. Meeting point is at the black building at the harbour where the tender boats land. 

Your guide will bring an ‘Ullapool Tours’ sign so that you can recognise her.

We will bring you back to the harbour where you can get a tender boat back to your ship.

No, no advance payment is necessary. You pay at the day of the tour in cash.

There are facilities available at the harbour in the black building where the tender boats land.

For the Highland Cows and Scenic Drive Experience: There are toilets at the tearoom. Please kindly note that there is no toilet available at the Highland Cows.

For the ‘Tales and Tastes of Ullapool’ tour: There are also facilities at the local venue.

Please kindly note that unfortunately there are no public conveniences available during the nature & history walking tour.

We recommend comfortable shoes and clothing according to the weather. Ullapool’s weather changes quickly, so it is best to come prepared. Rain gear and depending on the season some warm clothes are a good idea.

No worries, you do not have to pay if your ship cancels your stop in Ullapool.

‘Tales and Tastes of Ullapool’ tour: Unfortunately, we are unable to cater for some special diets, like vegan, kosher, lactose free.

If you are happy to skip the scone, we can organise a gluten free cake for you if you contact us well in advance. 

Scones, cakes and drinks are vegetarian.

No, unfortunately not. We only accept cash payment. ATMs/Cash machines can be found at Tesco supermarket, 25 minutes from the harbour. We advise organising cash beforehand.

The ‘Tales and Tastes of Ullapool’ tour is an easy walk to and from the venue, however includes one incline and one decline, some steps and the sidewalk in Ullapool can be uneven. Please see also the tour description for further details. If in doubt, please contact us.

The ‘Highland Cows, Scenic Drive and Cake with a view’ tour involves a very short walk to the coach, a short walk to the tearoom and the Highland Cows. There are some inclines/declines to reach the cows, and some uneven surfaces there, and some uneven surfaces at the tearoom and photo stop. Please contact us if you need further information,

No! Not al all. They are very friendly creatures. Please follow all advice from the staff at the Highland Cow experience and your tour guide.

No, these tours are open to everyone,  you will join a group tour. Just send us an email to book your spot on your chosen date.

 

Ullapool Tours can cancel a tour at any time. Of course, we will cancel tours only when absolutely necessary due to the minimum number not reached, abysmal weather, illness, etc., or circumstances not in our control.

Ullapool Tours can alter tours at any time if necessary for safety reasons or other unforeseen circumstances.

Ullapool Tours accepts no liability for personal injury, any loss of property or damage to your posessions during the duration of the tour.

If you require special assistance, please make sure to contact us in advance to see if our tours are suitable for you.

We advise appropriate footwear/clothing according to the weather and terrain. Midge repellent might be advisable during the summer months.

All minors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please keep younger children under close supervision for safety reasons.

Abusive behaviour to staff will not be tolerated.

We advise to be at the meeting point 10-15 minutes prior to the tour. Our tours will run as scheduled and we can’t wait for you longer than 5 minutes max.

We assume that you do not have any allergies or special dietary requirements. Participating with any allergies is at your own risk and we do not take any responsibility for you. We do NOT recommend our food tours if your are vegan, have an allergy or follow a special diet.

No photos, videos or audios taken on the tour permitted for commercial use.

Payment is in cash only. No cheques or foreign currency accepted.