Van life guide: Scotland
Van Life in Ullapool: Best Spots, Meetups & Where to Park
Find fellow van lifers, plan walks and brews, or meet someone special in Ullapool. Ullapool is a pretty Highland fishing village on Loch Broom and the main ferry port for Stornoway.
The van life scene in Ullapool
Whitewashed houses line the shore of Loch Broom, with the Assynt mountains and Wester Ross to the north and west. The Summer Isles lie off the coast.
If you are based in Ullapool, it is easy to make friends when you plan a convoy route with other travellers. Ullapool is on the North Coast 500.
Meeting people in Ullapool
Pick a brew somewhere public and busy, tell a friend where you are going, and keep your exact pitch to yourself until you trust someone. With VanDates you choose what you are open to, whether that is friendship, convoys or romance, and you only ever show an approximate area.
Ullapool at a glance
- Where: Highland, Scotland
- Best time to go: May to September
- Local flavour: fresh langoustines, smoked fish, local whisky and craft beer
- Approximate location only: never your exact pitch
Best spots in Ullapool
Must-see stops in Ullapool include Loch Broom, the Ullapool Museum, the Summer Isles, Corrieshalloch Gorge, Ardmair Point and the Stornoway ferry.
Things to try: a boat trip to the Summer Isles, a walk around Ardmair Point, a seafood lunch on the quay, a visit to Corrieshalloch Gorge.
Parking up and staying legal in Ullapool
Ullapool is a busy stop on the North Coast 500 and for the Stornoway ferry, and larger vehicles need ferry space booked in advance. Roads are single track beyond the village.
In Scotland, access rights cover lightweight tent camping in small numbers for two or three nights, but they do not include motor vehicles, so staying overnight in a campervan or motorhome is different. Landowners and councils can restrict where you park, and some areas, such as parts of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, have camping byelaws. Use campsites, motorhome stopovers or pubs that welcome vans, and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Read the Scottish Outdoor Access Code guide to camping. Always take your litter home, be considerate to residents, and see our Community Guidelines and Safety Tips.
Ready to meet van lifers in Ullapool?
Join The Crew. Discover who is parked or travelling near you, join upcoming community meetups, or find someone special who truly gets life on the road. Membership is £1.99 a week and you can cancel any time.