Excitement mounts in Ullapool ahead of 'creel tree' Christmas lights switch-on as community gets down to business with festive countdown
Ullapool is setting the scene for another Christmas lights switch-on tonight featuring the iconic Creel Tree and promoting local shopping.
The now instantly recognisable nine–metre tall Ullapool creel tree, first built in 2016, will be lit up along with other decorations around the village.
The lights switch-on will take place at 5:30pm this evening (December 1), at the Creel Tree on West Shore Street.
The success of the annual event will be reflected next week through a broadcast by the BBC Scotland rural affairs programme, Landward, which has been filming in the village.
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The voluntary Ullapool Fire and Sea community group said the programme is due to be broadcast on Thursday, December 8.
Many local businesses will be celebrating the lights by staying open late, and offering a variety of Christmas treats and offers.
Tea by the Sea – Ullapool, a tearoom and lifestyle and gift shop on Shore Street, will be part of a light night shopping experience tonight (Thursday).
Proprietor Joanne Dixon said a variety of treats have been lined up for shoppers with discounts of up to 40 per cent.
She said the evening event is eagerly anticipated in the village with even the ferry getting involved by sounding its horn.
Lots of other businesses will be joining the fun.
The magical appearance wasn't lost on Harry Potter creator J K Rowling who helped dramatically increase a wider awareness of the event back in 2017 when she tweeted: "It hasn’t gone unnoticed further afield either with J K Rowling tweeting pictures: "How beautiful is this? Ullapool, a coastal town in Scotland, has a Christmas tree made of creels, with a crab on top."
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