Travelling around Scotland is a true adventure, filled with scenic vistas and pristine landscapes. While places like Glencoe, Glenfinnan, Loch Ness and Fort William are already popular tourist hotspots, one small island on the West Coast of Scotland has been getting a huge number of tourists. Therefore, Ulva is officially closing to visitors on Sundays to help mitigate the numbers.
Home to just 16 residents, Ulva has no paved roads and is community-owned, boasting a number of attractions. What is more, visitors can marvel at its natural beauty, like impressive wildflowers, as well as spot wildlife, such as Golden Eagles, Hen Harriers, otters, and seals, along with dolphins, whales, and the rare Scotch Burnet Moth.
Why is Ulva closed on Sundays?
Ulva hasn’t been closed on Sundays in the past. The recent decision comes after an “unprecedented interest” from tourists, once the BBC Scotland aired their interior design programme, ‘Banjo and Ro’s Grand Island Hotel‘. The show follows interior designer and resident Banjo Beale with husband Ro Christopher, who renovate the Ulva House.
After gaining popularity, Ulva has seen a massive increase in visitors, and the 16 residents of the island, some of whom are children, cannot keep up with the demand.
Visiting Ulva
To visit Ulva for yourself, you have to take the ferry from the Isle of Mull to Ulva.
The Ulva Ferry posted on Facebook, saying: “If you’ve visited us already this year, you’ll have noticed how much busier things have been. The unprecedented interest in the island has been wonderful, and we are delighted that more people are finding out what makes Ulva so special.”
“None of us could have predicted how significant the increase in the numbers of visitors would be, so to give ourselves, the Boathouse and fellow islanders the chance to recharge and prepare for the week ahead, we have made the difficult decision not to open Sundays this summer.”
The closure is just for the summer months and is not permanent. What is more, anyone who has pre-booked accommodation for a Sunday in Ulva can still visit and will be accommodated.
To find out more about visiting Ulva, visit their website.
