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The Dipping Lugger

Highlands & Islands, Ullapool - Modern Scottish - Restaurant with Rooms - ££££

Destination restaurant with rooms on Scotland's north-east coast

Overall Rating: Very Good

Uniqueness:Does the establishment stand out in the context of the local area? Good

Deliciousness:How delicious is the food? Very Good

Warmth:How warm is the service and the hospitality in general? Very Good

Strength of recommendation:How enthusiastically and widely would you recommend the establishment? Very Good

Considered one of the highlights of the North Coast 500 driving route, this destination restaurant with rooms sits on the pretty, whitewashed waterfront of Ullapool, formerly a thriving harbour for herring fishing. Few boats head out onto Loch Broom these days but the Dipping Lugger, named after a traditional fishing vessel, makes the best of the local catch. Easy-going Robert Hicks is on hand to host while in the kitchen chef David Smith turns out a five-course lunch or seven-course evening tasting menu. A recent visit opened with two exquisite amuse-bouches: rich chicken liver parfait on a beetroot macaron, sweetened with a shiny disc of Madeira jelly, and a crumbly cheese biscuit topped with a punchy cheese custard. The bread course, ‘Granary’, is served hot from the oven with a satisfyingly crunchy crust and a smear of salted butter on a pebble. A hand-dived scallop, plucked from the sea loch’s salty waters, is crowned with jewel-like roe, hollandaise and grated...

Considered one of the highlights of the North Coast 500 driving route, this destination restaurant with rooms sits on the pretty, whitewashed waterfront of Ullapool, formerly a thriving harbour for herring fishing. Few boats head out onto Loch Broom these days but the Dipping Lugger, named after a traditional fishing vessel, makes the best of the local catch.

Easy-going Robert Hicks is on hand to host while in the kitchen chef David Smith turns out a five-course lunch or seven-course evening tasting menu. A recent visit opened with two exquisite amuse-bouches: rich chicken liver parfait on a beetroot macaron, sweetened with a shiny disc of Madeira jelly, and a crumbly cheese biscuit topped with a punchy cheese custard. The bread course, ‘Granary’, is served hot from the oven with a satisfyingly crunchy crust and a smear of salted butter on a pebble.

A hand-dived scallop, plucked from the sea loch’s salty waters, is crowned with jewel-like roe, hollandaise and grated lime zest, while expertly pan-fried cod arrives with artfully balanced baked lemon, hand-rolled pasta, tiny shrimp and bread crumbs. For dessert, ‘Caramelia’ (a creamy blend of chocolate and caramel) is a cornucopia of cocoa, a medley of mini bites: a brownie, parfait, a quenelle of blood-orange sorbet on a bed of chocolate crumb, topped with a coffee macaron.

Thewine list is a weighty tome divided into ‘land’ and ‘sea’ showcasing maritime influence on the grapes with a good selection by the glass, including a skin-contact option from Veneto in Italy, perfumed with peach and a slither of flint. There’s also a selection of gin from Robert and Helen’s micro-distillery, with a choice of their Seven Crofts and Fisherman’s Strength, while the vearthy and herbal Ullapool gin makes a G&T the obvious aperitif.

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S Moulton

25 March 2025

7 course evening tasting menu with paired wines. All courses delicious as was the wine.
Just wished I'd booked a room there. The seafood was so good as caught locally. Lovely cosy dining room with wonderful views of Loch Broom.

C Lockley

22 March 2025

Run by local people. Good is sourced ad local as possible. It has put Ullapool back on the food trail. Relaxed atmosphere while at the same time being very professional. They really look after you and make you feel at home.

P Wickes

15 April 2024

The best food in the Highlands. Served with warmth, grace and humour by Robert, the host/owner. The tasting menu always has new and previously undiscovered treats.

VENUE DETAILS

4 West Shore Street
Ullapool
Highlands & Islands
IV26 2URGB

01854 613344

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OTHER INFORMATION

Accommodation, Credit card required

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