ISLE OF ULVA

The Isle of Ulva - A Community-Owned Island

 The Isle of Ulva is located off the west coast of Mull and is approximately 2000 ha. (12 km long by 4km wide). The island has been inhabited for over 7000 years. Ulva has close historical links with the Clan Macquarie, which laid claim to its ownership for centuries. As in other areas, Ulva was impacted by the Highland Clearances of the 18th and 19th centuries, with many residents being removed from the island during that period.

Ulva has suffered significant population decline since the 1800s. In 1837 it had a resident population of 604 people living in 16 villages. By 1841 the combined population of Ulva and the neighbouring island of Gometra had been reduced to 150 due to evictions during the Highland Clearances and the effects of the Highland Potato Famine. By 1889 Ulva’s population had dropped to 53 people. The resident population has fluctuated over recent decades; increasing from 13 in 1981 to 30 in 1991 before declining to 16 residents in 2001 and 11 residents in 2011. As of 2024 it stands back at at 16. Ecologically, Ulva mostly comprises moorland, grassland and native woodland which along with an extensive largely rocky coastline and intertidal area represent an important natural heritage asset base. Transport links on the island consist of non-metaled tracks and paths. The island is connected to mainland Mull by a small, community owned but privately-operated ferry.

In June 2018 with support from the Scottish Land Fund, the Macquarie Group, a crowd-funding appeal and local fundraising, Ulva passed into community ownership using the provisions of Scotland’s Community Right to Buy legislation.

(Isle of Ulva: Social and Development Masterplan 2020)

The Ulva Plan

The purpose of the community buy-out of Ulva was to secure the future of the island for the islanders and the wider community of Mull, whilst retaining the essence of Ulva that brings back visitors every year and inspires so much passion in those who know the Island or have a connection with it through family links.

The plan has always had to tread the fine line between bringing new social and economic security to the island, whilst preserving those aspects of Ulva that make it so special to so many.

Therefore, the driving aim of the buyout, was to renovate the existing housing stock, which would not only provide improved housing for the current residents, but also will allow those properties that are currently empty, to be let out to new tenants. This would enable a much needed boost to the current resident island population which had dropped as low as three adults and two children by the time of the buyout in 2018.

The current timescale for housing renovation starting is during the Spring of 2021, and therefore, if you come to Ulva this year, you might see some evidence of that work beginning.

Another major project  is Storas Ulbha project, which is based upon transforming the Main House into an Interpretation and Education centre. This is currently in the advanced planning stage and the building works should be starting in the next twelve months. If you want to know more, please visit the Storas Ulbha page on this site

We also have a grant funded project starting in July 2021 to expand the pier on the Mull side of Ulva Ferry to increase the capacity for the docking of  local fishing vessels, whilst also inproving access to the island.

We are currently two years into a conservation programme to reduce the amount of bracken on Ulva and therefore bring back into usage extensive grassland whilst also increasing the biodiversity of Ulva and conserving areas for rare animal, plant and insect species such as the Corncrake and slender Scotch Burnet Moth.

Finally, as we increase the resident population, we are keen to mitigate the number of fossil-fueled vehicles on Ulva. Ulva has almost no cars, due to the lack of proper roads and therefore residents either walk or use quad bikes. We have just secured funding for an electric quad bike and UTV as well as two electric mountain bikes for use by visitors and an e-cargo bike, so that residents can transport their shopping from the ferry to their houses, without the need to use a quad bike.

The Ulva project is on-going and there is far more going on - if you want to find out more, please visit the Development Manager's Diary, where the month-by-month blog details the work that is happening.

Donate

Your donations will support the continued growth, conservation, and maintenance of Ulva. Activities supported by your donations include upgrading the heritage interpretation content & experience at Sheila’s Cottage, improving access around the island and maintaining buildings and facilities such as the church, toilets and visitor signage among others.

Please use the button below to donate via our Enthuse page.

Many thanks!