Banjo Beale, Ro and Grampa Quiz: How Well Do You Know Them?

Banjo and Ro’s story began in New South Wales, Australia. Ro was working at a local fruit and vegetable shop in the town of Bathurst when Banjo walked in. The connection was instant; they decided to travel the world together only two weeks after this chance encounter.

When they first exchanged details, the path to true love had a small speed bump. Ro accidentally gave Banjo a phone number that was one digit off. Thankfully, they managed to reconnect despite the technical error, leading to their lifelong partnership.

Ro’s connection to the Isle of Mull started long before he moved there. As a child, he loved the book Bear’s Adventure by Benedict Blathwayt. The story features a toy bear that ends up in Tobermory, and that imagery stuck with Ro until they eventually made the island their home.

Before the world knew Banjo as a designer, the couple spent about ten years working at the family-run Isle of Mull Cheese farm. They were deeply involved in the day-to-day operations of the farm and the coffee shop, which helped them integrate into the tight-knit island community.

Grampa is a distinctive-looking dog, often mistaken for a purebred. He is actually a Wolfhound and Greyhound cross, commonly known as a Lurcher. This mix gives him his leggy, elegant stature and his signature "scruffy" appearance.

Moving a large dog across the globe is no small feat. To bring Grampa from Australia to the UK, Banjo and Ro had to navigate complex pet relocation logistics. The total cost for his specialized travel arrangements ended up being approximately £5,000.

Despite his gentle nature, Grampa has a specific personality quirk regarding other dogs. Banjo has shared that Grampa isn't a fan of French Bulldogs, likely due to their distinct breathing sounds or body language, which can sometimes be misunderstood by other breeds.

Grampa’s journey to Scotland was a marathon. Because the flight from Australia is so long, he had a scheduled layover in Dubai. He stayed in a specialized pet facility there to rest and hydrate before completing the final leg of his journey to the Hebrides.

Living in the Inner Hebrides means dealing with plenty of moisture, but Grampa isn't a fan. While he loves the rugged landscape, he famously dislikes the rain and will often hesitate to go outside when the typical Scottish weather sets in.

While the world knows him as Banjo, his legal name is actually Brendan. He has fully embraced his nickname professionally and personally, to the point where many fans are surprised to learn his birth name.

The nickname "Banjo" was bestowed upon him by Ro. It wasn't because of a musical talent, but rather a commentary on his personality. Ro felt that Brendan was often "highly strung" or tightly wound, much like the strings on a banjo.

Banjo rose to international fame after competing in and winning the third series of the BBC show Interior Design Masters in 2022. His "Wild Isle Style" and ability to source vintage treasures under pressure won over judge Michelle Ogundehin.

Banjo and Ro do not own Ulva House. They negotiated a long-term repair lease with the community charity that owns the island, investing their own savings to restore the building for the community's benefit.

The Boathouse is a famous seafood restaurant on the Isle of Ulva. Banjo and Ro took over the management of this iconic spot, which is a staple for locals and tourists who take the short ferry ride from Mull to enjoy fresh, local catch.

Banjo is a self-proclaimed "bowerbird" who collects everything from old ladders to vintage textiles. He stores these finds in large sheds he calls his "Treasure Hangars," which serve as a massive library of objects for his various design projects.

Ro brings his own creative flair to their life on the islands through his culinary skills. He is a professionally trained pastry chef, a talent that served them well during their years working at the cheese farm and in their ventures on Ulva.

Reflecting their Australian roots, Banjo and Ro named their two ginger piglets Kath and Kim, after the iconic Australian comedy characters. Banjo made it very clear to his followers that these pigs were pets and "babies," not livestock.

In his book Wild Isle Style, Banjo encourages readers to look past the intended use of an object. One of his signature tips is turning vintage wire or wicker fruit baskets upside down to use as rustic, textured lampshades.

The Isle of Ulva is a community-owned island with a very small population. At the time they began their work there, the population was roughly 16 people. This tiny community makes their work at The Boathouse and Ulva House even more significant.

Banjo’s design philosophy is built on "patina" the wear and tear that shows an item has lived a life. Because he loves "wobbly" and historic items, he finds contemporary or ultra-modern design to be his "kryptonite" because it often lacks the soul and history he craves.