Unique opportunity for new life on Ulva

On the 21st of June 2018, residents of a small island on the West Coast of Scotland took a momentous step in becoming the guardians of their home, the Isle of Ulva. A successful community buy-out secured the future of the island for the Ulva community. Funds for the acquisition were received from the Scottish Government via the Scottish Land Fund, Macquarie Group Ltd and crowdfunding. 

Ulva is a beautiful, remote and almost untouched island that is home to just five residents today. The existing houses are dated and in need of repair but a full refurbishment is planned to transform these dwellings into quality homes for existing and new residents. The island boasts an award winning seafood restaurant, the Boathouse, run by one of Ulva’s own residents. The restaurant and the pedestrian ferry that crosses to Mull are two businesses that operate on the island. The Ulva community are now looking for creative and entrepreneurial people to join them.

The Highlands Small Communities Housing Trust (HSCHT) were appointed by the North West Mull Community Woodland Company Ltd (NWMCWC) to assist with their business plan for the renovation of the existing dwellings on the island and to explore opportunities for new builds to encourage repopulation. The island’s population was at one time 600 and as recently as 20 years ago 30 people lived on the island. The aspiration is to create a thriving community both socially and economically and therefore individuals, families and businesses from all walks of life who wish to move to Ulva are invited to participate in the survey.
As part of the renovation of Ulva, the local community have identified immediate employment opportunities for the first stage of Ulva’s transformation. Following decades of neglect buildings, services and forestry have fallen into disrepair and require a significant upgrade. The community are therefore seeking, amongst other things, those who are experienced in construction and / or forestry to relocate to Ulva to restore the island and its assets.  A further important trade which could provide an immediate employment opportunity is tourism. The island’s stunning landscape could host campsites, cycle tracks, outdoor activities and many more activities and opportunities that could attract visitors to Ulva and contribute to its growing economy. 

• Does relocating to Ulva interest you?​
• Do you have skills that will add value to the Ulva community?
• Do you have an exciting business idea and / or existing business that you would like to operate on Ulva?

Complete our survey to let us know who you are, why you want to move to Ulva, what you would plan to do when living on Ulva and what you can bring to the community of Ulva.

Link to survey: hscht.survey.fm/ulva-survey-1