The small Scottish island of Ulva is undergoing a transformation with the help of TV interior designer Banjo Beale and his husband Ro. The 2022 winner of BBC's Interior Design Masters turned the derelict mansion on the island into a boutique hotel, which will be open seasonally.
The project was sparked by Ro's dream of becoming a cheesemaker and visiting Sgriob-ruadh dairy farm on Mull, where Banjo discovered his passion for interior design.
Banjo's style combines bohemian and classical elements, as seen in the Library Bar and Orangery or drawing room, which features a peeling pale green paint and vintage rattan chairs. The seven-bedroom hotel will be run by Ro who will also cook for guests.
The island has a long history dating back to the 17th century when Clan Macquarie owned it. Today, visitors can stay in one of two off-grid bothies or a revamped hostel before and after the hotel opens. Banjo's makeover projects on Ulva have featured on his own show Designing the Hebrides, with his previous projects including Ulva House Hotel and The Boathouse restaurant.
The project was sparked by Ro's dream of becoming a cheesemaker and visiting Sgriob-ruadh dairy farm on Mull, where Banjo discovered his passion for interior design.
Banjo's style combines bohemian and classical elements, as seen in the Library Bar and Orangery or drawing room, which features a peeling pale green paint and vintage rattan chairs. The seven-bedroom hotel will be run by Ro who will also cook for guests.
The island has a long history dating back to the 17th century when Clan Macquarie owned it. Today, visitors can stay in one of two off-grid bothies or a revamped hostel before and after the hotel opens. Banjo's makeover projects on Ulva have featured on his own show Designing the Hebrides, with his previous projects including Ulva House Hotel and The Boathouse restaurant.
. I've been following Banjo's work on Designing the Hebrides and he always brings a unique touch to his projects. The idea of staying in an off-grid bothy before checking into this swanky hotel is like something out of a fantasy novel 
. And Ro being the cheesemaker, that's just perfect! Who wouldn't want to indulge in some Scottish artisanal cheese after a long day exploring the island? 
I'm definitely adding Ulva Island to my bucket list for next year...
and i love that he'll be runnin the hotel too. i wish we could see more projects like this in remote areas where people are gettin left behind, but it's steps in the right direction 
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who wouldn't want to relax in that library bar after a day exploring the island? 
and it's awesome that ro is handling everything from cooking to managing the hotel, what a lovely setup for guests 
i never would've thought of combining interior design with a passion project like that... anyway, i hope the hotel opens soon and people get to experience this beautiful island for themselves 
Banjo's style is so unique and eclectic, it's like stepping into a fairytale. I mean, who wouldn't want to stay in a Library Bar with vintage rattan chairs and pale green walls? 
And can you imagine Ro's cheesemaking dreams coming true after working on this project? That's what I call a dream come true! 
Also, I'm intrigued by the idea of off-grid bothies and hostels for visitors to stay before/after the hotel opens. It sounds like Banjo is really committed to preserving the island's charm while still bringing in some modern touches. 