WATCH: Ullapool celebrates opening of 'marvellous' new £10m Shore Street redevelopment

After 12 months of construction work and eager anticipation, the grand opening of Ullapool's newly redeveloped Shore Stattracted a huge crowd of locals and visitors alike.

To celebrate, the event featured a parade down the new widened trunk road, made up of tractors, fire engines, motorcycles, and the Ullapool and District Pipe Band.

Renowned local trad musicians Kim Richards, Mike Vass, and Mairearad Green then started a ceilidh at the new events area by the shore front.

The new promenade also features ramps at each end of the street that lead down to the shore, so that everyone of all abilities can go down to the beach and enjoy the views.

At the start of the project, there was initial scepticism about how beneficial to the community the new development would be – but after last Saturday’s festivities, it’s clear that the redevelopment has been well-received.

The huge £10m project was first dreamed up by Ullapool harbour master Kevin Peach over six years ago, and was put into action this time last year (September 2022).

Mr Peach previously said about the grand opening: "The project has been a great success in improving pedestrian safety, traffic flow plus providing a beautiful space for all to enjoy. The community engaged with the harbour to highlight preferences such as local or recycled materials and minimal light pollution.

"With all the aggregate coming from the Ullapool quarry, the paving from Caithness and the timber benches recycled we have achieved their goals. The existing lighting was enhanced to remove the need for lampposts and currently we are fitting a lovely continuous lighting feature on the seawall."

Chair of the Lochbroom Community Council, Topher Dawson said: "I am delighted with it, its just wonderful. My favourite part of the new development is being able to cycle along, relax, look at the views, see the people, and not feel like I'm about to be run over. It's a great feeling of space."

Marco Bardelli, who worked on the Shore Street project as an area manger for Transport Scotland, said: “I was the client sponsor from Transport Scotland, working in partnership with Ullapool Harbour on this project.

“There was a series of issues in the project, but by working with the community we resolved them all. I’m a big fan of Ullapool, I love it here, I love the way they get together, have an idea, and just make it happen.

MSP Maree Todd said at the event: “I really love the events space, I think it’s great that we’re able to ceilidh on Shore Street! The everyday difference will be the road being a bit wider, it’s beautiful to have more pontoons as well, more yachts came in this weekend – it’s lovely to have the space for more visitors.”

Harbour Trustee, Sandy Osborne said: “I am delighted with the project which has exceeded expectations. It’s a delight to see the promenade used by visitors and locals alike.”

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