Ullapool, a picturesque fishing village on the shores of Loch Broom in the Highlands, is facing a severe housing crisis. Despite its population of just 2,200, the community is grappling with a lack of affordable homes, driven by high costs, a booming tourism industry, and issues in the building sector.
The Lochbroom and Ullapool Community Trust (LUCT) describes the situation as a "very real and present crisis." Families have spent years searching for suitable properties. Marine scientist Ailsa McLellan, a mother of two, has been living at a friend's house for five years after her marriage broke down, unable to find a home to buy or rent due to a shortage of long-term lets.
Hairdresser Georgie McIntosh and her husband David John moved from Edinburgh in 2017 with their two sons. They secured a council property in 2020 but are now on a waiting list for a larger home after a teenage relative moved in. Despite having a mortgage, they struggle to compete in the housing market, with properties often selling for well over the asking price.
A study by LUCT and the Communities Housing Trust found that between July 2020 and June 2022, the average house price in the area was £256,000, while most local budgets were £150,000 or below. The average annual income is about £25,000, limiting spending power. Nearly 13% of local housing consists of second homes or holiday lets, compared to 6% across the Highland Council area.
Brendan O'Hanrahan of LUCT said at least 70 new households are seeking homes in the next five years, mostly school leavers and young adults. The trusts are working to address the crisis, but the challenges remain daunting for those who call Ullapool home.
