The House on the Edge of the World
Ulva House sits alone on a small island off the west coast of the Isle of Mull, a large mansion that stood empty for eight years before its new tenants arrived. While the site was once the seat of the MacQuarie family, the current Category B-listed house actually dates to 1955, resting on the footprint of the original home and standing as a modern layer of history on an island that once supported a much larger population.
By the time Banjo Beale and his husband Ro Christopher first walked through the doors, the property was in a state of serious disrepair, with damp filling the rooms and paint peeling from the walls. It was a shell of a building that required a massive amount of work to become habitable again, representing a significant undertaking for the couple.
A Different Kind of Renovation
Banjo and Ro moved to the Hebrides from Australia to find a different pace of life, especially after Banjo gained public recognition for winning the television competition Interior Design Masters. Ro worked as an artisan cheesemaker and understood the practical realities of rural life, having lived on the Isle of Mull before they both set their sights on Ulva.
They did not purchase Ulva House because the residents own the island, with the North West Mull Community Woodland Company having purchased the estate in 2018 to manage it for the benefit of the local population. Consequently, the couple entered into a repair lease with the community trust, an agreement that meant they could occupy and run the house as a business for a period of 25 years in exchange for restoring the interior and managing the property.
The Challenge of Isolation
The logistics of renovating a house on an island with no paved roads are incredibly difficult, as a narrow stretch of water separates Ulva from Mull, requiring a small ferry to cross. This ferry does not run at night and bad weather often cancels the service, meaning Banjo and Ro faced immediate hurdles because they had to transport every single item for the renovation on this boat.
They moved tools, materials, and furniture by hand or on quad bikes along rough farm tracks, and since there are no hardware stores on Ulva, any forgotten screw or paintbrush necessitated a long journey back to the mainland. This isolation turned simple tasks into complex operations, requiring levels of careful planning and patience rarely seen in standard renovations.
Battling the Elements
Locals know the weather in the Hebrides for being unpredictable and often harsh, and since the house lacked electricity or running water when the project began, the couple raced against time during the summer months to make the building wind and watertight. Failing to secure the shell before the winter storms rolled in would have risked a crippling insurance bill, making this phase critical as the cost of structural repairs on a listed building is enormous.
With the shell now secure, the task falls to Banjo and Ro to turn the cold and empty rooms into a warm and inviting space, even as they continue to work through winter storms and grey days where the damp seems to seep into everything. The physical toll of the work remains significant, with the pair stripping wallpaper, sanding floors, and painting walls day after day to keep the momentum of the project going.
Designing a New Purpose
Banjo approaches the interior design with a specific vision in mind, wanting to respect the history of the building while making it comfortable for modern guests. Because the house is a Category B listed building, there are strict rules about what he can and cannot change, meaning he cannot simply knock down walls or change the layout drastically but must work within the existing footprint of the mansion.
His design style often involves using reclaimed materials and finding beauty in objects that others might discard, a practical approach for Ulva where bringing new furniture to the island is so difficult. By using local finds and vintage pieces, he creates a look that feels grounded in the location, aiming for a boutique hotel that feels like a home rather than a formal institution.
The Role of the Community
The restoration of Ulva House is not just about two people building a hotel, but serves as a key part of a wider plan to regenerate the island where the population had dropped to very low numbers over the last century. A desire to bring people back and create a sustainable economy drove the community buyout in 2018, and Banjo and Ro are an integral part of this new chapter.
They intend the business to bring visitors to Ulva who will support other local enterprises, and by relying on tradespeople from Mull and the surrounding area, they have kept the investment local. This fosters a sense of collaboration, as the success of the hotel ties directly to the success of the island as a whole.
Documenting the Journey
BBC Scotland filmed the entire process for a series titled Banjo and Ro’s Grand Island Hotel, which captures the reality of the project without glossing over the difficulties. The show displays the exhaustion and the moments where everything seems to go wrong, including the logistics of airlifting a cast-iron bathtub or dealing with the stress of opening deadlines.
The series highlights the stark contrast between the romantic idea of island life and the gritty reality of construction work in a remote location, while also showcasing the stunning beauty of the landscape which serves as the backdrop for all their hard work.
A Vision Realized
The project required a significant financial investment from Banjo and Ro, who put their own money into the interiors and the business setup despite the high risks. Because they do not own the asset at the end of the lease, they are essentially improving a building that belongs to the community, though the long lease allows them to operate the business and recoup their investment over time.
The hotel aims to offer a unique experience for guests who want to escape the noise of the modern world, with rooms designed as sanctuaries of calm where visitors can watch the weather roll in over the sea.
Looking Ahead
Ulva House is now on its way to becoming a functioning part of the island economy again, proving that it is possible to save historic buildings even in the most challenging locations. Banjo and Ro show that patience and creativity are just as important as budget when it comes to restoration, turning a decaying relic on the hill into a living building with a future.
Something is happening in Scotland – a new confidence – and inspirational voices are redefining what 'Scottish style' really is. Banjo and Alex see this manifesting in homes and public spaces alike. Spanning the breadth of Scotland, they have picked places that tell a story, highlight sustainable design and represent a considered style that can be recreated at home.
The lights are back on and the rooms are warm, and while the official future of the TV series remains unconfirmed, the restoration has already preserved a piece of Scottish heritage. Regardless of the cameras, the project has created a new opportunity for the community on Ulva, ensuring the house remains a part of the island’s story for years to come.
