LET THERE BE LIGHTS: Creel tree village of Ullapool kickstarts festive countdown in style

A ROSS-SHIRE community has kick-started its Christmas countdown in style with an acclaimed creel tree forming a quirky festive centrepiece.

Ullapool's very own lights switch-on drew an excited crowd, bringing locals together to celebrate their community and attracting visitors from further afield.

Many came to see the illuminated creel tree, a local creation with a crab on top which reflects the Wester Ross village's fishing traditions with a fresh, seasonal spin. As well as winning the admiration of Harry Potter creator J K Rowling, it was also included on a national newspaper's list of seven of the best Christmas trees in the United Kingdom.

Community group Ullapool Fire and Light said: "It was brilliant to see so many folk out for the switch on. Enjoy the display!"

The village has a ferry link to Stornoway and the atmospheric sound of a ship's celebratory horn could be heard cutting through the darkness during Friday night's switch on.

Stornoway-based Peat & Diesel meanwhile are making use of an empty premises near the harbour for a pop-up merchandise shop, offering CDs, T-shirts and assorted memorabilia.

The band expect to be in Ullapool later today to do a shift staffing the shop before heading for Glasgow to start their pre-Christmas tour. It takes in Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, Nottingham, Norwich, Bristol, Cardiff and Brighton.

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The display is the first since the £10m redevelopment of Shore Street.

Ullapool Fire and Light has posted a link to a Justgiving page inviting donations to help with the cost of the event. It said: "Please take a look at our Justgiving page and if you would like to make a donation to help support the ongoing costs, we'd be very grateful. You can donate anonymously if you prefer, and there is no minimum or maximum, just whatever feels right."

It can be found here.

Community event or photograph from Ross-shire to share? Get in touch by emailing hector.mackenzie@hnmedia.co.uk

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