Banjo Beale and his husband Ro are on a mission to revive the remote Scottish island of Ulva. The 2022 winner of the BBC's Interior Design Masters has been tasked with transforming the derelict mansion into a boutique hotel, which is part of the community buyout effort to attract people back to the island.
Ulva was once home to over 570 residents but largely fell out of population in the mid-20th century due to forced evictions known as the Highland Clearances. A single advert posted inviting applications for settlement has since seen numbers swell to 16, with long-term target of 50.
Banjo, who went on to front his own makeover show Designing the Hebrides, describes the project as a "coming together" of their styles. The interior design is said to be bohemian and whimsical, featuring items like Moroccan rugs, palm trees, vintage rattan chairs, and distressed urns.
Banjo's team sourced materials from various locations including Belgium and France, with one notable find being a pitch pine bar near Lyon for £1,500.
The finished rooms include opulent spaces such as the library and orangery or drawing room, which is peppered with pot plants and vintage items. Another beautiful space features a black stove surrounded by wooden furniture.
For those not staying at the hotel, visitors can opt between two off-grid bothies and a revamped hostel. The island also boasts stunning landscapes, wildlife like seals, otters, and a hen harrier, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers.
Getting to Ulva involves taking a ferry from Lochaline on the Scottish mainland or Mull, with prices starting at £6.50 return for foot passengers and £25.60 for cars.
Ulva was once home to over 570 residents but largely fell out of population in the mid-20th century due to forced evictions known as the Highland Clearances. A single advert posted inviting applications for settlement has since seen numbers swell to 16, with long-term target of 50.
Banjo, who went on to front his own makeover show Designing the Hebrides, describes the project as a "coming together" of their styles. The interior design is said to be bohemian and whimsical, featuring items like Moroccan rugs, palm trees, vintage rattan chairs, and distressed urns.
Banjo's team sourced materials from various locations including Belgium and France, with one notable find being a pitch pine bar near Lyon for £1,500.
The finished rooms include opulent spaces such as the library and orangery or drawing room, which is peppered with pot plants and vintage items. Another beautiful space features a black stove surrounded by wooden furniture.
For those not staying at the hotel, visitors can opt between two off-grid bothies and a revamped hostel. The island also boasts stunning landscapes, wildlife like seals, otters, and a hen harrier, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers.
Getting to Ulva involves taking a ferry from Lochaline on the Scottish mainland or Mull, with prices starting at £6.50 return for foot passengers and £25.60 for cars.
what's going on over there? anyway, i'm loving banjo beale's project on ulva island it sounds so beautiful and unique! i can totally see why they'd want to create a boutique hotel and attract people back to the community buyout effort. the idea of getting to stay in an opulent space with stunning landscapes is just perfect for nature lovers like me 
I'm so stoked to see this project happening! I mean, can you imagine staying in a boutique hotel on a remote island in Scotland? 
It's like something out of a dream. And the fact that it's all about reviving the community and making Ulva a place people want to visit is just amazing. 
I love how Banjo Beale has incorporated bohemian and whimsical vibes into the design, it's going to be so Instagram-worthy 
. Plus, who wouldn't want to stay in an off-grid bothy or hostel surrounded by nature? 
. All in all, I think this project has got everything to make it a huge success! 
banjo beale's design skills are insane and it sounds like his husband ro is super talented too! I love that they're going for a bohemian vibe with vintage items and distressed urns - it's like stepping into a fairytale. the island of ulva is so underrated, i've always wanted to visit but never thought i could afford to get there 
. this project is giving me all the feels and i'm so here for the community buyout effort! let's get more people on that island and support the local businesses 
! who else is ready for a staycation or a weekend getaway? 
Banjo Beale's design skills are on point, and I can already imagine the Instagram-worthy pics with those Moroccan rugs and vintage rattan chairs 
. The fact that he sourced materials from Belgium and France is so cool - it adds this extra layer of authenticity to the whole project 
they're not only restoring this beautiful mansion but also bringing life back to the community, which is just amazing! 
i love how they've incorporated bohemian vibes with vintage items & natural elements like palm trees & pot plants... it's so calming & cozy 
that's some serious travel goals right there! 
but what i think is even more amazing is the island itself - the wildlife, landscapes... it's like nature's own masterpiece 
and if u ever get a chance to visit, take it! u won't regret it 
The fact that they're using materials from Belgium and France is really cool too - it shows how much love and care they're putting into this project.