Winter, Christmas & New Year
What to expect:
In the Highlands many seasonal businesses close for the Winter, but there will still be some options to eat out, but unlikely to be any on Christmas Day or New Years Day.
However our Lodges are well equipped for a real self-catering experience :0)
​
I will update this page with more information for 2025, once businesses release it
Groceries
Our local grocery shops will be open through the winter, they will close for a few days at Christmas & at New Year
It is possible to order butcher meats, shellfish, fish & vegetable packs locally and in advance, to collect on your arrival:
Kenneth Morrison Butcher - Gairloch
Farm & Garden - Gairloch
Aultbea Stores
Laide Shop
Shellfish:
Alexander Wiseman - Aultbea
Dry Island Shellfish - Badachro
​​
Tesco - delivery - if you can get a slot
Morrison's - click&collect, Gairloch - if you can get a slot
​
The following is information from 2025 Winter Openings for
Restaurants & Cafes 
Aultbea
Oran na Mara Cafe - Fri-Mon 0930-1630 (bookings only, after 1000 on Sundays) - temp closed
Croft Fresh Cafe, Aultbea - Thurs only, 1100-1400 - Closed 25th Dec & 1st Jan
Jam Jar at The Aultbea Hotel:
November - Wed-Sun: 1100-2300 / Dinner 1730-1930 
Opening times from 3rd Dec:
3rd Dec - 6th Dec // 11th - 21st Dec // 23rd - 24th Dec // 27th Dec - 3rd Jan
Open 1200-2300 with Dinner served 1730-1930
Poolewe
Bridge Cottage Art Cafe - Thurs-Sun: 1000-1600
Pool House Cafe - Thurs&Fri: 1100-1500
Gairloch
Links Cafe/Bar at the Golf Club - Lunch & Dinner & Takeaway

Thurs 12:00 - 18:00 // Friday & Saturday 12:00 - 20:00 // Sunday 13:00 – after Sunday lunch service / Sunday Lunches must be booked on – 01445 712220

(Kitchen closes 1 hour before closing time)

The Gale Centre - Mon-Sun - 1000-1700
Hillbillies Book Shop & Cafe​
Hai Yang Chinese - Takeaway - Tues-Sun
Crumbs - Days TBC - Takeaway & Celebration Cakes & Function Catering
Black Pearl Creole Kitchen - Pop up Takeaway 
Badachro
Badachro Inn

Mon & Tues – Bar only from 4pm // Wed-Fri – Bar from 4pm - Dinner from 1730-2000 // Sat&Sun – Lunches from 1200-1430 – Dinner 1730-2000

22nd Dec & 23rd Dec-open 1600 with meals from 1730-2030

Christmas Eve & Boxing Day - Bar open 1600 - kitchen closed

27th Dec-open 1600 with meals from 1730-2030

28th - 31st Dec-open 1200 with meals 1200-1430 & 1730-2030

2nd Jan-open 1200 with meals 1200-1430 & 1730-2030
Shieldaig Lodge Hotel - 7 days / Dinner - booking only
​
Activities 2025 (announced so far)
From 3rd Nov - 17th Dec - winter opening: Gairloch Museum - Museum, Art Exhibitions, Gift Shop, events - Museum -Wednesday to Saturday 10am - 4pm.
Cafe -  Wednesdays 10am - 2pm & Thurs 20th Nov, Fri 21st Nov, Thurs 27th Nov, Fri 28th Nov    all - 10am - 2pm  
7th Nov - Ullapool Fire & Light:- community bonfire and fireworks display on West Terrace
28th Nov - Ullapool Fire & Light:- The Winter lights switch-on. View all through December 
29th Nov - Poolewe Tuesday Market 
4th Dec - Gairloch Christmas Market 
5th Dec - Inverewe Gardens, Poolewe - From 1415 - Reindeer and sleigh parade, pipers, afternoon games & carol singing 
5th & 6th Dec-Poolewe Tuesday Market 

6th Dec - Aultbea Community Hub - Carol Service - 1700

13th Dec - Aultbea Hall - Christmas Fayre & cafe
20th Dec -  Christmas Family Ceilidh - Aultbea Hall - 1900-2300 BYOB
27th Dec - Christmas Dance with Rhythm & Reel - Gairloch Hall - 1930
31st Dec - Hogmanay - Aultbea Hall - Children's/family disco 3-5pm and over 18s Dance to RECOVERY 9pm-1am
1st Jan '26 - New Year Hoolie - Ceilidh - Poolewe Village Hall - 1st Jan from 1930
​
Weather
It might be sunny, it might rain, it might freeze, it might snow, it might be windy​​​​​​
​

S