Home / Lifestyle / Ullapool's Christmas Tree: A Sea of Fishing Creels!
Ullapool's Christmas Tree: A Sea of Fishing Creels!
3 Dec
Summary
- A 30ft tall Christmas tree is made entirely from fishing creels.
- The unique tree is an annual tradition organised by a local community group.
- A ferry horn signals the official switching on of the festive lights.
In a heartwarming display of community spirit, the village of Ullapool has once again celebrated the festive season with a unique 30ft Christmas tree. This eye-catching structure is not made of pine or fir, but rather from hundreds of repurposed fishing creels, the very tools used to catch local shellfish. This tradition, now in its tenth year, was initiated to brighten the dark winter nights and honour the village's strong fishing heritage.
The Ullapool Fire and Light Fund spearheads this annual project, with volunteers dedicating significant time and effort to its construction. What began with borrowed equipment has evolved into a cherished spectacle, supported by lottery funding that enabled the purchase of the 340 creels now forming the tree's base. The intricate process involves stacking the creels around a central timber frame, ensuring stability against the coastal winds.
The grand illumination ceremony is a highlight, marked by the CalMac ferry to Stornoway sounding its horn three times to signal the switch-on. This festive beacon attracts hundreds of onlookers, including one dedicated visitor who travels 500 miles annually. The tree's crowning glory is a crab-shaped outline of lights, a fitting tribute to the sea that sustains the community.
