Ullapool switched on to wonders of winter; Skating rink set to delight Wester Ross residents; Ullapool Winter Festival set to pull in visitors
A WESTER Ross village is set to welcome visitors from across the UK later this month as it unveils a winter spectacular which has already won the heart of a celebrity supporter.
Ullapool Winter Festival will be held over the last weekend of November following the annual Winter Lights switch-on taking place on Thursday, November 28.
The now-famous Christmas tree made of lobster creels has been the star attraction of previous events, prompting Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling to tell her 13 million Twitter followers: "How beautiful is this? Ullapool, a coastal town in Scotland, has a Christmas tree made of creels, with a crab on top.”
But that could be eclipsed this year as organisers go one better with plans for the village's first full-size skating rink, accompanied by a Christmas market.
The festival kicks off next Friday with Ullapool’s award-winning Junior Pipe Band leading a lantern-lit procession at 5.15pm from the lobster creel tree on West Shore Street to the festival site at Lochbroom Leisure Centre. Lanterns and lights will be available on the night, provided by the Dolphin Project, which provides creative activities for people living with dementia. Ullapool Dance group will perform a step dance behind the band with everybody invited to join in.
The procession leads to the ice rink situated at the tennis courts. There will be sessions on Friday evening, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning with skates and instruction provided alongside aids for young children and differently-abled people and everything free of charge.
A full Christmas market with traditional cabins, stalls and food providers surrounding the ice rink will target revellers and shoppers.
The event has been expanded with help from The People’s Projects from The National Lottery.
To find out more about places to eat and stay in the area, including special deals from accommodation providers, visit www.ullapool.com.
