IV26 2SY - Flood, Heat, Air & Subsidence Risk - Ullapool

Highland, Ullapool

IV26 2SY in Ullapool has a Medium flood risk. Heat risk is Lower, with a median (50th percentile) of 3 days above 25°C per year, averaged over the 2021-2040 period under the RCP8.5 high emissions scenario (Met Office UKCP18). Air quality is Low at PM2.5 3.8 μg/m³, within the WHO annual guideline of 5 μg/m³ (Defra UK-AIR). Ground conditions are Low risk, with Sandstone geology; shrink-swell risk is classed as improbable (BGS GeoSure).

• Flood: Flooding is possible during severe weather. Routine checks help.
• Heat: Projected 3 days above 25°C per year, 2021-2040 average (Met Office UKCP18, 50th percentile under RCP8.5).
• Air quality: PM2.5 3.8 µg/m³ - within the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³ (Defra UK-AIR).
• Ground: BGS data: Sandstone geology. Shrink-swell risk classed as improbable (British Geological Survey).

Flood risk at IV26 2SY is rated Medium, based on SEPA flood mapping.

Air quality at IV26 2SY is rated Low, based on Defra UK-AIR annual mean PM2.5 data. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) comes primarily from road traffic, industry, and domestic burning. Long-term exposure above the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³ is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular health risks. Buyers and renters in higher air quality risk areas may wish to consider whether the property is near busy roads or industrial sources.

BGS GeoSure data classes the underlying soil at IV26 2SY as Sandstone, with shrink-swell hazard rated improbable (subsidence risk band: Low). Soil type and shrink-swell behaviour drive subsidence claims following dry summers; recent ABI data shows insurer payouts rose sharply after the 2022 and 2025 hot summers. A structural survey is the reliable way to assess ground risk for a specific property.

This LocalRisk report for IV26 2SY draws on four official UK open data sources: SEPA flood mapping, Met Office UKCP18 climate projections, Defra UK-AIR PM2.5 monitoring, and British Geological Survey GeoSure subsidence mapping. Risk ratings are a screening tool, complementing - not replacing - the searches and surveys ordered as part of a property transaction. Data covers Highland and is updated as new official datasets are published.

Highland spans a vast and varied landscape of mountains, glens, rivers and coastal areas and experiences cool, wet winters and mild summers, influenced by elevation, Atlantic weather systems and long coastlines.

SEPA flood zone data places IV26 2SY in the medium flood risk band. The band reflects the highest flood risk within the postcode; some properties within this postcode may face little or no direct flood risk. Individual properties within IV26 2SY can differ - a formal flood risk search is recommended before any property transaction.