Ullapool is a village of around 1,500 occupants in Ross and Cromarty, Scottish Highlands, found around 45 miles (72 km) north-west of Inverness. In spite of its small size it is the largest settlement for lots of miles about, and a crucial port as well as traveler destination. The North Atlantic Drift passes Ullapool, moderating the temperature level. A few Cordyline australis (New Zealand cabbage trees) are grown in the town and also are typically incorrect for palm trees. The community lies on Loch Broom, on the A835 road from Inverness. The Ullapool River streams with the town. On the eastern shore of Loch Broom, Ullapool was founded in 1788 as a herring port by the British Fisheries Society. It was created by Thomas Telford. Prior to then the community was just an insignificant hamlet of just over 20 households. The harbour is still the side of the town, made use of as an angling port, yacht sanctuary, as well as ferry port. Ferries cruise to Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides. The village was historically in Cromartyshire, an area comprised of lots of different territories scattered across northern Ross-shire. Cromartyshire was abolished as well as incorporated with surrounding Ross-shire in 1890. Most of the crucial discoveries of the Victorian period that contributed to the development of the principle of plate tectonics were made in this field, as well as there are still regular global geological seminars. It is referred to as the top geological hotspot in Scotland. Parliament granted permission in the 1890s for a railway from Ullapool to the main Highland network at Garve, but the plan was deserted because of insufficient funds. The name is perhaps derived from the Norse for "Wool farm" or "Ulli's farm".