Ulva House - The Future
The Story of Ulva
The story of Ulva is a microcosm of the story of Scotland’s remote communities both in the impacts of clearance and depopulation and the drive today to sustainably repopulate and regenerate some of Scotland’s most beautiful and remote places.
Whilst Ulva has stunning scenery, historic buildings and areas of natural heritage interest, its greatest cultural heritage value is in its people.
Photo by: Peter Garwood
Ulva House - A Rare Example of Post-war Mansion House Design
Ulva House is a Category B Listed Building and became listed as recently as 2014. Beyond its obvious prominence and significance on the island and the background pedigree of its Architect, the importance of its design and general historic significance is highlighted in the HES ‘Statement of Special Interest’.
Ulva House is situated to the south side of the Island of Ulva, off the west coast of Mull, and is the architectural focal point of a small island community which has been identified as outstanding as a heritage asset.
Until 1777, Ulva was the seat of Clan Macquarrie. The 17th or 18th century mansion house of the MacQuarrie's was replaced by a new house in the early 19th century and this building is depicted in William Daniell's aquatint of 1820. (A Voyage Round Great Britain (1813-1823) plate 39). Ulva House was rebuilt a third time in 1955 using the same footprint and similar dimensions, following a fire on the site of the 19th century house. Bracadale Steading to the south of Ulva House occupies the site of the 17th or 18th century mansion house.
Exterior - Blend of Arts and Crafts and Modernism
Ulva House is a rare and significant example of a large mansion house of the early post-war building period in Scotland which is largely unaltered. It is by an important 20th century Scottish architect
with an unusual and distinctive regency style interior scheme. The house incorporates fabric from the earlier 19th century Ulva house, on the same site, adding to its contextual and associated historic value.
The exterior aesthetic is interesting in the context of inter-war country house design and the transition between Arts and Crafts and Modernism, blending this within the exterior profile and massing of an earlier 19th century house on the same site. The sundial and ornamental urn finials from the earlier 19th century property have been incorporated into the new Ulva House.
Photo by: Alasdair Satchel
Interior - A Rare Example of Post-war Design
The interior scheme at Ulva House displays a respect for traditional craftsmanship, with a distinctive Regency/Adam influence from the earlier house on the site and this is very unusual for the 1945(sic) date of construction. Large architect-designed mansion houses with good intact interior schemes of the early post-war building period are rare in Scotland as they were increasingly unfashionable or too expensive to justify during that period.
Photo by: Alasdair Satchel
The Architect - Leslie Graham Thomson
Leslie Graham(sic) Thomson (MacDougall after 1953) was one of Scotland's leading architects during the inter-war period. Thomson's house for himself, Srongarbh (1936-8) at West Linton, is listed at
category A. He commenced his architectural training at Edinburgh College of Art under Sir George Washington Browne and John Begg and was articled to Sir Robert Lorimer whose influence underpins much of Thomson/MacDougall's design work. Non-domestic commissions include the Guardian Royal Exchange in Edinburgh and the Isobel Fraser Home of Rest in Inverness.
For more information about Leslie Graham Thomson and for the source of the image, please go to the entry held on the Dictionary of Scottish Architects: http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/
1956 - Original Drawings
An original drawing of Ulva House by Leslie Grahame Thomson dated 1956 from the Canmore collection, Historic Environment Scotland. (high resolution copy)
High resolution image: Canmore, Historic Environment Scotland
Ulva House – The Future (3rd November 4 - 6pm)
An informal event, organised by North West Mull Community Woodland Company, is planned for Wednesday 3rd November 4 - 6pm at the Church Hall in Dervaig, so that members of the community can come and find out about the situation regarding the Main House on Ulva.
The event will involve a short presentations from the company, followed by an opportunity to contribute thoughts and ideas to the ongoing discussion about its future.
We are keen to hear from as many people as possible before any final decisions are made.
+44 (0) 7904 519 572
admin@nwmullwoodland.co.uk