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Island mansion reborn: TV star's hotel dreams
8 Jan
Summary
- TV personality Banjo Beale is renovating Ulva House into a boutique hotel.
- The island of Ulva saw its population grow from 5 to 16 after a community buyout.
- A historic mansion on Ulva is being transformed into a seven-bedroom hotel.
On the remote Hebridean island of Ulva, TV personality Banjo Beale and his husband Ro are undertaking a significant renovation of Ulva House, a historic mansion, to convert it into a boutique hotel. The project, which involves restoring the elegant, Grade B-listed modernist building, is chronicled in a new six-part television series.
The island itself has a rich history, having once housed 570 residents in 1841 but dwindling to just five by 2015 due to historical evictions. Following a community buyout in 2018, efforts are underway to repopulate Ulva, with the population now standing at 16, a substantial increase from its lowest point.
Beale's seven-bedroom hotel, set to open seasonally, will complement other accommodations on the island, including off-grid bothies and a revamped hostel, with Ro managing the culinary offerings. This endeavor marks a new chapter for Ulva, aiming to attract visitors and residents alike, contributing to the island's resurgence.
