Welcome to the Ullapool News

A devastating fire has destroyed the Old Drill Hall in Achiltibuie. The fire broke at in the early hours of Monday 28 September and the hall’s wooden structure was completely lost with only the stonework of a side extension left standing.

The Hall was originally built in 1914 when the Countess of Cromarty granted permission to the Territorial Force Association to construct a drill hall. Ownership of the building was taken over by the community in 1959 for use as a village hall and it fulfilled that role for 40 years until the Coigach Community Hall opened its doors on a neighbouring plot.

Prior to the blaze the hall was being used by the Coigach Kitchen, a café and restaurant which was very popular with residents and visitors alike. It also housed the offices of the Scottish Wildlife Trust who have lost archives and equipment. Fire engines from Ullapool and Lairg attended the fire.

*****

Yet another anniversary this year….!

Fèis Rois 40th Anniversary celebrated in Parliament.  Kristopher Leask, Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands has marked the 40th anniversary of Ross-Shire based arts organisation Fèis Rois with a motion in the Scottish Parliament.

The organisation was established in 1986 and has grown to become a nationally-recognised leader in traditional music education, enabling people of all ages to participate in and experience traditional music and the Gaelic language across Ross-Shire and beyond.

**So many of the children and young adults living in our area have benefitted from this organisation over the years, with its annual week long stays for different age groups or through individual tutoring of a range of instruments.**

*****

An award-winning chef has returned to the campus on which he began his culinary career to share his skills with the next generation of aspiring chef. Fin MacDonald, Sous Chef at the Michelin-recommended Dipping Lugger in Ullapool, visited UHI North, West and Hebrides’ Dornoch campus to give Professional Cookery students a live cooking demonstration.

Fin, who recently won a Rising Star Award at the National Restaurant Awards, which celebrates emerging talent across the UK’s restaurants, prepared steamed halibut in mussel stock with a herby mousse, giving students the chance to see his techniques up close and taste the finished dish. The session also gave students the opportunity to ask Fin about his career and hear how his time at the college helped set him on the path to working in some of the UK’s leading kitchens.

During his studies, Fin gained experience at Skibo Castle and Glenmorangie house and, after graduating, took up a role at the iconic Michelin-starred Ritz restaurant in London. He later returned to the Highlands to join The Dipping Lugger, Ullapool.

ADVERTISING PRICE INCREASES

It is with great reluctance that on advice from our accountants we must increase the cost of advertising in the Ullapool News.

This is the first increase since 2022. The new rates from the beginning of October will be: (All Plus VAT where applicable)

Full page: £40
Half page: £25
1/4 page: £12
1/8 page: £6

Minimum lineage will remain at £3.50

Concession rates:
Full page: £20
Half page: £12
¼ page: £6

*****

WANTED

Volunteers of Coigach, your Community Hall needs you! This year Coigach Community Hall will be doing the refreshments for the Coigach Half Marathon.

This year they have a record number of runners and we need help to make all the food required to feed the runners, their supporters and members of the Community who would like to come to the soup and sandwiches. The cost of ingredients will be covered by the Hall.

Please get in touch with Julie, 07766673374 or email: inverpolly@aol.com if you are able to help in anyway.

Thank you.

*****

WANTED – SOUPS!

A Soup & Pudding Lunch in aid of Gino’s Cantina will be held in Ullapool Village Hall on Saturday 7 November.  We are looking for 4 large pans of soup – one of which should be vegetarian (or vegan).

If you would like to make a soup please contact either Joan Michael (07850 218611) or Effie MacKenzie (07734 868072).

The shout-out for puddings will go out at a later date!

*****

WANTED

For Pickleboxx Rewards.. Glass screwtop jars and wide mouth bottles.

Earn 1 Pickleboxx Voucher (Face value £1) for every 4 jars!

Text Holly on 07860 822 179 for collection.

*****

SITUATIONS VACANT

with Tanera Mor
Summer Isles Enterprises Ltd are looking for a Management Accountant for a unique opportunity to join our finance team in one of Scotland’s most stunning locations.

Summer Isles Enterprises Ltd is seeking an experienced Marine Mechanic to join our marine operations team, helping to maintain and support a diverse commercial fleet that serves as the lifeline between the mainland and Tanera.

To apply please send your CV and a cover letter/email to recruitment@summer-isles.com

*****

Blue Hope Alliance – Project Officer Engagement and Communications

Further details, job specifications and application form can be accessed and downloaded from: https://www.bluehopealliance.co.uk/job-openings or by request email to: connect@bluehopealliance.co.uk

Please ensure you return the completed form and application statement to: connect@bluehopealliance.co.uk. by closing date midnight 8th October 2026.

*****