Tim and I had a leisurely morning, since Viking Sky did not arrive in the Highlands until 12:30 pm. The Scottish Highlands is a historical and geographical region in the rugged, mountainous northwestern part of Scotland and is characterized by dramatic mountain landscapes, deep lochs (lakes), and vast, sparsely populated areas.
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| Views As We Sailed into Ullapool |
We tendered ashore to Ullapool, a picturesque town in one of the most remote settings in the United Kingdom and a gateway to the Highlands. Tim and I felt like walking on this gorgeous day, so we joined the included excursion, “Explore Picturesque Ullapool,” described as follows:
Discover the fishing town of Ullapool in the northern reaches of Scotland, nestled on the shores of Loch Broom. Explore the picturesque town on foot with your knowledgeable local guide, who will introduce you to Ullapool and its interesting history regarding commerce and local folklore. Take a stroll through its streets and admire the town’s charming gabled rooftops en route to a local venue. There, nibble on local tablet—or fudge—and shortbread while listening to live music performed by a talented Ullapool artist. Afterward, choose to either return to your ship with your guide or stay to explore the town independently at your leisure. Later, you may make your own way back to your awaiting ship.
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| A Very Cool Welcome to Scotland |
Ullapool was founded in 1788 by the British Fisheries Society as a fishing port for the increasingly important herring industry. Herring, known as “Silver Darlings,” and mackerel played an important role in the development of the village economy, and the sea trade was the reason most people chose to live here.
Ullapool was a planned town, and we learned that Thomas Telford designed the initial village layout and many of the original buildings. As we walked from the harbor into the town, I was intrigued by the architecture, especially the beautiful color of the local stone buildings, as well as the white-washed cottages. Some were attached as row houses, while others were free-standing buildings.
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| Stone and White-Washed Row Houses |
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| Free-Standing Buildings |
After tea and sweets, we stopped at the Ullapool Museum to learn more about the history of the town. Housed in an original church designed by Thomas Telford, the museum featured exhibits on local life, maritime history, the fishing industry, and the Gaelic culture that shaped the community. There were several exhibits geared towards children, and Tim played archeologist in one of them. I don’t think he found anything of historic value.
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| Ullapool Museum |
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| Beautiful Flowers Throughout the Town |
After returning to Viking Sky, I headed to the Explorers’ Lounge, where Mike, one of my favorite bartenders, prepared a new drink for me. I had been enjoying Aperol Spritzes but wanted to try something different. So, Mike came up with a Lillet Wildberry, which was both delicious and pretty.
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| Mike and His Lillet Wildberry |
Although Tim and I usually eat in the World Café, tonight I was tempted by the Dover Sole in The Restaurant. This is a favorite of mine, and I love watching the waiters debone and reassemble the fish. Paul did a masterful job, and the fish was as good as it looked.
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| Paul Did a Great Job Deboning My Dover Sole |
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