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Scotland Island Closes Sundays Due to Tourist Boom
29 May
Summary
- Ulva Island, home to 16 residents, will close to tourists on Sundays.
- The closure is a response to a surge in visitors following a TV show.
- The Ulva ferry company is halting Sunday services to allow locals to recharge.
Ulva, a small inhabited island off Scotland's west coast, is implementing a significant change by effectively closing every Sunday this summer. This decision comes after an unexpected and substantial increase in tourist numbers.
The surge in visitors is largely attributed to the recent popularity of the TV program 'Banjo & Ro's Grand Island Hotel,' which featured interior designer Banjo Beale and his husband Ro Christopher restoring Ulva House. The show has drawn unprecedented interest to the island.
Consequently, the Ulva ferry company, which operates the vital service between Mull and Ulva, has announced it will suspend its Sunday operations. This measure aims to provide the island's small community of 16 residents and local businesses, such as the Boathouse restaurant, an opportunity to recharge.
While the increased tourism has boosted local businesses, residents acknowledge the strain on capacity. The ferry operator assured that pre-booked travelers intending to depart or arrive on a Sunday during June, July, or August will still be accommodated. The island's community group purchased Ulva in 2018 with the goal of social and economic development.
