Scottish Village Lights Up Christmas with Unique 30-Foot Fishing Creel Tree

Ullapool, a picturesque fishing village nestled in the Scottish Highlands, is once again captivating residents and visitors alike with its spectacular annual Christmas tree, ingeniously constructed from hundreds of fishing creels. Standing an impressive 30 feet (9 meters) tall, this distinctive festive display is illuminated by a vibrant array of colourful lights, marking a cherished tradition for the community.

This unique holiday centerpiece, organized by the Ullapool Fire and Light Fund, has become a cherished part of the village’s winter celebrations for a decade. The idea originated when local figure Robert Hicks sought a way to brighten the dark winter nights, proposing a festive monument that would honour Ullapool’s rich fishing heritage by utilizing the very pots typically used to catch shellfish like crabs and langoustines.

Gordon Wink, one of the dedicated volunteers behind the project, explained that while the initial efforts involved borrowing materials, lottery funding eventually enabled the community to acquire its own set of 340 creels. The construction itself is a two-day endeavour, requiring significant volunteer effort and equipment support from the local harbour. The tree is built upon a disc-shaped base, featuring a central timber frame and strategic weights to ensure stability against the often-blustery Highland weather. Millenium TV has learned that despite a recent storm causing minor damage, the spirit of the project remains undimmed.

Once the creels are meticulously stacked, the entire structure is adorned with multi-coloured Christmas lights, culminating in a striking crab-shaped outline as its illuminated “star.” The tree’s prime location near the harbour adds an extra layer of charm to its official switch-on ceremony.

Each year, as the moment arrives, the CalMac ferry traveling between Ullapool and Stornoway signals the festive ignition with three resonant blasts of its horn, at which point the tree bursts into light. “When the lights are first turned on, it’s quite a smart sight,” Wink shared with reporters, describing the awe-inspiring moment. The event draws hundreds of spectators, including one devoted admirer who reportedly travels 500 miles from southern England annually just to witness the spectacle. The tradition even inspires other Scottish communities, with Oban in Argyll also crafting its own creel tree as part of its winter festival.