Tesco Express in Ullapool is far more significant than its small-format name suggests — it's the most comprehensive shop on the entire western half of the NC500 north of Inverness. After Ullapool, village shops become extremely sparse, and some are closed at unpredictable times. A thorough shop here is essential before heading north into Assynt and the far northwest. The town also has an excellent fishmonger and several independent shops worth exploring.