Ullapool has invested £110,000 (E131,566) in a dedicated leisure pontoon to make it a more attractive tender destination, says Kevin Peach, chief executive and harbourmaster Ullapool Harbour Trustees. Completed in early June, the first cruiseship to make use of it will be Hansa Kreuzfahrten’s Delphin on August 17, the first time she has visited the Scottish port.
Ullapool is expecting six calls this year compared to 12 in 2009. Passenger numbers will be about 1,150 down on 2,800 last year. In 2011 Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will be calling for the first time with Europa. Also in 2011 Fred Olsen Cruise Lines' Black Watch will be calling in October.
Smaller ships can come alongside where the quay can take up to 110m in length and 6m draught. Larger ships can anchor out in the bay which is only 200m from the landing pontoon for the tenders.
The centre of town is about 100m from the pontoons so there is no need for a shuttle bus. A local leisure centre/swimming pool is five minutes’ walk from the dock and the local 9-hole Links golf course is about one mile from the harbour.
There are no air draught restrictions at the Scottish port and the sea draught in the main channel is a minimum of 17m The turning basin is about 0.75 mile in diameter.
