Our History

LOCHBROOM FM may be Britain's smallest radio station, but it inspires huge affection among its growing audience around Ullapool. It must be something to do with the Mac Archers and the midges.

The Argyle Hotel is situated just over a hundred yards from Lochbroom. This information may not seem important but if you are a local DJ and have been on the air for three hours it is vital. You see the Argyle Hotel has toilets - Lochbroom FM has not; yes Britain's smallest tiny tin shed perched on the banks of Lochbroom (local wags call it the Broom Cupboard) is making waves in the radio world. On the air for only four months and with a transmission radius of just 20 miles, it has already established an 80 per cent share of the potential 4,500 audience in the area. Broadcasting from Ullapool, 60 miles north of Inverness, it sends out an eclectic range of programs that are pitched to the heart of local radio and are very much by the people, for the people.

All the staff are volunteers with day jobs. They get no wages from Lochbroom FM. There are those who believe that to work here you have to be dedicated - and slightly mad. Most of the presenters I spoke to agreed to being both.