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!