WATCH: New Ullapool landmark unveiled by the World's Strongest Man Tom Stoltman as a tribute to its fishing port heritage
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Last weekend, the new Welcome Ullapool sign designed by Jason Paterson and unveiled by Tom Stoltman, was revealed.
Welcome Ullapool is a group representing the village and area, with a goal to promote the area and help the village thrive. The new signs are Welcome Ullapool's biggest projects to date, and the process of creating the new signs taking four years. The idea for the new sign first came about in April 2018, and Jason Patterson ,the designer of the new sign, was commisioned in 2019, but due to the delays of the pandemic, the new sign is only being unveiled now.
Chairperson of Welcome Ullapool, Diane Rusling said: "The signs will attract more people to the village, I think its going to be somewhere for people to take photographs and that will publicise the village and buisnesses. Its such a big sculpture that people will want to take photos of it. The stone is different on the two different signs on entering the village, and that represents the geological fault in the village, the local stone and sculpture is depicting how ullapool was founded as a fishing port.
Jason Patterson, the designer of the sculpture said: "It took 8 weeks per sculpture, and was designed in about four hours. The sculpture is based on Ullapool's heritage of fishing and silver darlings." Jason has worked on many projects, but is known for creating the big 'G' for the Glasgow commonwealth games 2014. Later, at the ceremony, Jason stated, " Id like to thank the people of Ullapool for putting their faith in me. I hope it brings joy to all who see it every day."
He also wrote a poem for the event, about his love for the natural scenic beauty, and sounds of the Highland village, and his experience of creating the sculpture.
Tom Stoltman, the world's strongest man title winner for two years running, made the trip across the county from Invergordon for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
He said "Thank you Ullapool for the support, It's a privilege to be here and I hope you guys like this."
