Ullapool: The Starting Point

The first time I saw this sight was 1975. MV Suilven had been commissioned and the new route between Ullapool and Stornoway had been opened. In some ways Ullapool has altered little since then but on the other hand the new ferry terminal and pedestrian access to the ferry completely block the view of the town's central junction and much of  Quay Street and the Shore Street seafront from the aft passenger deck. I shall try and find some of my original photos of the seafront before the new piers and terminal were built.

West Shore Street

The recent passenger gangway.

Loaded and ready for sea

A view of the passenger facilities on the quay

The new harbour and pier development.

Looking back from the ferry along West Shore Street

Ullapool

is a busy little place.  It's the town on the Scottish mainland from where the ferry for Lewis departs.  It's an important tourist town but, in addition to the ferry, there is an inshore fishing fleet and lots of leisure boats. I was in the town for an evening recently when I got the midnight ferry (which left at 2am) and managed a few photos.  The last photo is looking back up Loch Broom into the Highlands towards the capital of the Highlands: Inverness 60 miles away.

Ferry Across The Sound of Harris

When I first crossed the Sound of Harris in 1975 it was on a small converted fishing boat - a lobster boat I seem to recall.  We sat down in a makeshift wooden structure with a sort of roof but still open to the elements.  Gradually over the decades the boats improved and the service improved.  Now there is a  a 32-car ferry MV Loch Portain.  It is upon that ferry that David and I travelled across the Sound of Harris a week ago.  

Leaving Berneray with the Causeway to North Uist 

I never tire of watching a ship's wake. 

A blackhouse which was (and may still be) used as a hostel on Berneray 

Leverburgh nestling under the Harris hills

Sailing towards Leverburgh

Entering Leverburgh harbour

Approaching the jetty

Vehicles disembarking

Arriving by Ferry in Stornoway

The MV Isle of Lewis sails into Stornoway on Tuesday evening bringing with her a visitor for me. A passenger from the ferry enters the ferry terminal (see Scriptor's blog for a picture) and sees the following:

There is art all round the walls:

Including (amongst many mosaics) one by John Reed

How to Ruin Art

Ok so you commission a beautiful work of art and then place it in a setting that really enhances it!

Stornoway Ferry Terminal

The Ferry Terminal at Stornoway is a very interesting building. I shall write a posting on it at some time in the future. That is something I have a feeling I shall be saying frequently during the next six months. However when I was getting my tickets on wednesday morning I was struck by the illustrations which now adorn the inside of the central glass turret of the building. They are new since I left the Island last October.