"Ceilidh Place The Ceilidh Place began as a small café in a boatshed, opened in 1970 by the actor Robert Urquhart, who grew up on the property. Today, it’s evolved into a hotel, restaurant, and cultural center that’s legendary in Ullapool, drawing guests with its quirky but comfortable vibe. Rooms are simply furnished with radios and well-stocked bookshelves, while a detached clubhouse features bunk beds for cycling clubs, family trips, and other big groups. The point here, however, is to get out of your room and spend time socializing with other guests in the public spaces. There’s a cozy living room with a pantry, where you can make tea and coffee any time of day; an honesty bar, where you can pour your own drinks; and a balcony for relaxing outside on nice days. Also open to guests is a restaurant serving local fare, a café for breakfast and lunch, and a bar stocked with gin and whisky, as well as a bookshop filled with Scottish titles, an art gallery that exhibits both emerging and established artists, and a live music venue that hosts theater performances, live bands, and the occasional comedian.Should you ever wish to leave, there’s everything from beaches and lakes to hiking and rock climbing nearby."
Absolutely great, such a nice atmosphere, it’s like being at home in the cosy lounge and rooms, love the library and honesty bar!
Downstairs the main cafe, bar and restaurant are brilliant. Always a great atmosphere, good music, really nice staff and loads of locally sourced food and drink. Great to get a proper coffee with breakfast too.
Plenty of choice for Gluten free too, and a great bike store if you’re staying overnight.
Weewifie39
Google
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at The Ceilidh Place. The guest lounge and library is a lovely spacious place to relax with interesting art, books to browse, views of Ullapool and a small kitchen with free hot drinks and an honesty bar. The staff were all very welcoming and friendly, our evening meal and breakfast were freshly cooked and delicious. As a bonus we found there was music across the road in the bunkhouse too. There’s also an excellent bookshop open during the day with an interesting selection of books. Highly recommend staying or eating here - makes a refreshing change from anonymous chain hotels.
nido76
Google
We had dinner at The Ceilidh Place and the food was lovely, the staff were friendly and attentive and very accommodating of us and our wee Collie dog. The menu (which at time of writing isn't available on The Ceilidh Place website) was quite varied and reasonably priced. I felt the wine was quite pricey. Behind the bar there were 2 hand pumps - which was a key factor in our return visit a few days later for a pint in the lovely outside seating area.... oh, and there's a book shop... weird but lovely.... and regularly gigs (mainly Friday's it seems) which didn't fit our visit but looked really interesting. Well worth a visit.
Christian Mole
Google
We had an excellent dinner here. First time we had found cask ale on the NC500 so that deserved a star on its own. Friendly and informal ambience with eclectic decor. Excellent in-store restaurant which stays open as long as the inn does. Good food with plenty of choices (we had sea bass and ox-cheek for mains). Dog friendly too.
212pippam
Google
This was an exceptional experience made by incredible staff! |My room and the beautiful lounge for guests was gorgeous. |My evening meal was beautiful, and included the best cheesecake I have EVER eaten. Breakfast was sumptuous and generous. |I much look forward to returning next summer.
808giggles
Google
I stayed overnight and was pleasantly surprised on how happy I was with this decision. The bedroom contained traditional furniture which contrasted greatly with the updated & very modern bathroom. It had a skylight that let in the light as well as wonderful locally made toiletries & a drying/heating rack. No tv but there was an old fashioned looking radio (didn't use) & some books on a shelf to read as well as free wifi. The room was very stuffy & Geraldine opened the old fashioned style window to let the air in. ||I love the view from the residents lounge area which overlooked the town. The lounge also consisted of the library, terrace & kitchen where you could make complimentary coffee/tea/ hot chocolate; fresh milk was in the mini fridge. You could store food in the community fridge; I was happy that my goodies were still there the next morning. I didn’t get a chance to check out the bookshop attached to the hotel/restaurant. Unfortunately, there was no music venue during the time that I was staying at the hotel. Breakfast in café starts @ 8 and was delicious. I have a separate review for the cafe
Andrew Donaldson
Google
Much better than it's rating would suggest. We found our room and the whole hotel had character. The lounge and library is a treat, with free hot drinks and a (paid) mini bar. The evening meal was to die for. Absolutely superb! We'll be back.
richr1979
Google
Popped in for lunch whilst visiting Ullapool.||Service was quick. Not the most friendly though! Food was very good. Reasonably priced. Good choice of dishes. ||Location was convenient, central and close to parking.||Recommend the venue and would visit again.
Marc P.
Yelp
4.5 Stars for the bar/drinks (we neither ate nor stayed here)
The bartenders were both very friendly.
Also, they serve real sized drinks here: pouring 35ml of whiskey (unlike so many other places in the UK that pour a paltry 25ml). Also, they not only had a great selection of whiskeys from which to choose, but they also had some recommended whiskey lists which did not disappoint (the Glen Scotia 15 and the Benromach 15 were both big hits with my tastebuds).
I am only deducting 1/2 a star for the ambience, because it is nothing special. But, if you want something nice to sip on, and some friendly bartenders to engage with, make your way to Ceilidh Place.
Brenna P.
Yelp
Located in beautiful Ullapool, the Ceilidh Place is a true hidden gem. You can start at the bar if you're waiting for a table. You'll find several cask beers and bottles to choose from. Or there are ample whisky and wine choices.
For dinner I was delighted to see that there were some amazing-sounding vegetarian options available. I started with "yesterday's soup" (£4.50)--which is vegetarian and way tastier than it sounds! I followed it with my entree, the chickpea, spinach, and spinach tagine with coconut, chili, and dukkah, served with pita bread (£10.25). The entree was actually as tasty as it sounded, very fresh and flavorful.
I capped off my meal with our server's favorite whisky, the Inchgower 14. It was a great recommendation, as I'll be hard pressed to find it in the states.
The food, atmosphere, and service at the Ceilidh Place are amazing. Totally worth stopping here if you're in the area.
Natalie P.
Yelp
Tried to make a reservation here and the women who answered the phone was incredibly rude and unhelpful. Finally got her to make us a reservation, showed up the next day and she said she no longer had a table for us. I'm pretty sure if she could have spit in my face she would have. They must be pretty desperate for staff if that is who they have running the front of the house.
Derek M.
Yelp
this has to be a hidden Gem
fresh Produce
brilliant Staff
awesome Atmosphere
don't miss it
alison k.
Yelp
This is just called the Ceilidh Place and is not just a hotel but a wonderful place to come and shelter from the relentless rain battering down during our Scottish summers!! Many a day has been whiled away here with the Herald crossword and a good book with coffee and scones. There is a fab wee bookshop attached and great music often playing. The coffee shop bit serves cakes and light meals, and the restaurant serves fabby meals.
Many many happy memories
Fiona M.
Yelp
Service can be a bit hit and miss, certainly not as warm and friendly as some places, but the food is utterly fantastic and the setting wonderful.
We were up for Loopallu last year, it was the first my husband had been in the Ceilidh Place and it hasn't changed a bit. We had a few lovely meals here and spent each day in the bar/outside between bands.
Fabulous selection of drinks, great bookshop attached to it, and perfect for people watching.
William D.
Yelp
The is probably my favourite place to eat. The food, atmosphere and service are some of the best and it is always a delight every time we come to eat. The rooms are also fantastic with some good views. The rooms are updated regularly which is always good.