Ullapool Clock

The Ullapool clock is said to be the most photographed clock in the Highlands, when you see it you can’t help but realise why. All four pediment faces’ are decorated with a crown, at the top is an urn with the leafy finial holds a weathervane, the base of the pedestal carries four inscriptions. The quite handsome square cast iron memorial clock now stands in Quay Street and is also know as the “Fowler Memorial Clock”. A London Firm Dent & Co made the clock mechanism.

In 1899 the Clock was erected in the middle of the road between the Caledonian Hotel, the corner of Quay Street and Argyle Street. The clock was in memory of the sons and grandsons of Sir John Fowler of Braemore who were killed in action.

Sir John lived with his family at Braemore House at Braemore Junction near Corrieshalloch Gorge. Sir John was a Chief Engineer born in Sheffield in 1817. He was responsible for many railways most notably the Metropolitan underground railway, as well as being responsible for the design of the Forth Railway Bridge.

In 1922 the Fowler family presented the clock to the village along with £100 for its upkeep. Due to District Council complaints that the clock was causing traffic congestion It was decided that the clock should be moved to its now present position, this happened in the middle of the sixties.

Up until 1995 local butcher Sandy Ross wound the clock by hand. Lochbroom Community Council decided to fundraise for the money needed to modernize the clock so that it ran by electricity, along with the many donations made by local businesses and people, a Highland Regional Council grant and the Scottish Hydro Electric it was made possible. Many local workmen worked for free to get the clock ticking all by itself!