Isle of Ulva
A small car-free island off the west of Mull, bought by its community in 2018, a minute's ferry ride away, with the Boathouse for seafood and a walled garden.
Off the west coast of Mull, across a sound so narrow the ferry takes only a minute or two, lies Ulva, a green island of old crofting ground.
In 2018 its people bought it, in one of Scotland's best-known community buyouts, and they are slowly bringing it back to life.
It was once home to more than 800 people, who farmed, fished, wove and gathered kelp, and in 1762 it was the birthplace of its most famous son, Lachlan Macquarie. Today there are no cars at all. You leave yours by the ferry on Mull, cross on the little foot ferry, and walk.
By the landing, the Boathouse serves seafood from the waters around the island. Beyond it, volunteers have been restoring the walled garden beside Ulva House, with its old greenhouse. There is a hostel and there are bothies for anyone who wants to stay, and the walks lead out across the island and its wildlife.
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The little foot ferry crosses from Ulva Ferry on Mull.
Ferry times, and the Boathouse's hours, are on the island's own site.
- Getting there
- Foot ferry from Ulva Ferry, on the west of Mull.
- Cars
- None on the island; park by the ferry on Mull.
Opening hours
- Monday
- 9am–5.30pm
- Tuesday
- 9am–5.30pm
- Wednesday
- 9am–5.30pm
- Thursday
- 9am–5.30pm
- Friday
- 9am–5.30pm
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
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Add your reviewOff the west coast of Mull, across a narrow sound from Ulva Ferry, about 45 minutes' drive from Craignure.
The BoathouseThe seafood restaurant by the landing.Under a mile 1 min by road
Ulva House GardenThe garden of Ulva House, the island’s historic heart and once the seat of the chiefs of Clan MacQuarrie.Under a mile 1 min by road
Ulva Ferry PortThe jetty on Mull's west coast where the foot ferry crosses to Ulva, with a pontoon and parking by the road.Under a mile 1 min by road
Ulva Farm WalkThe shortest waymarked walk on Ulva, 3.75km round the farm, Ulva House, the walled garden and Telford's church.Under a mile 1 min by road
Eas Fors WaterfallA waterfall dropping to the sea, on the road north.2 miles 6 min by road
Loch na Keal roadThe shore road under Ben More.4 miles 9 min by road
Places to stay near the island, and when each is next free.
Borradill House- Sleeps 6
- In Glenborrodale
- 18 miles from Ulva
Borradill Cottage- Sleeps 4
- In Glenborrodale
- 18 miles from Ulva
Fern Cottage- Sleeps 4
- In Croggan
- 20 miles from Ulva
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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .