Guided Wildlife Walks and Holidays on the Isle of Mull, Iona and Ulva

The Isle of Ulva is situated off the west coast of Mull and is reached by a small passenger ferry.  Ulva is privately owned and no vehicles are allowed onto the island. Ulva was formerly the home of 600 people who made their living from the collection and exportation of kelp. Today there are only 11 residents who share their island with golden eagles, buzzards, corncrakes, otters, seals, rare moths and butterflies (Ulva is home to a colony of the slender scotch burnet moth) and red deer.

The thriving community make a living from the land, cattle farming, fish farming, oyster farming and tourism. If you are after unspoilt scenery and peace and quiet, Ulva is the place to be. The Boathouse serves lunches, light meals and snacks and specialises in oysters, marinated salmon and other shellfish. It is licensed so you can enjoy fine wines or try the traditional combination of Guinness and oysters.
The restaurant is now open on Friday evenings during the summer season - booking essential.

Ulva is home to Sheila's Cottage, a restored thatched croft house, once the home of Sheila MacFadyen. Here you can learn about famous visitors to Ulva: Boswell and Dr Johnson, Lachlan Macquarie the Father of Australia and Sir Walter Scott. Beatrix Potter was also a visitor to the island, where she found inspiration for many of her books. The grandparents of the explorer and missionary David Livingstone once lived on Ulva and the walk up to Livingstone's Cave and Croft is a must.  Here, archaeologists found flint artefacts and fragments of human bone which can be dated back as far as 5650 BC.

Ulva is open from Easter until the end of October and the ferry, which takes foot passengers and bicycles, runs Monday to Friday 9.00 am - 5.00 pm. The crossing only takes a couple of minutes and runs on demand; summon the ferry by uncovering the red panel on the pier but don't forget to cover it again as the boat approaches.

The island is closed on Saturdays but opens on Sundays from June to the end of August. If you wish to make a crossing to Ulva outside of these times please contact the ferryman on Tel: 01688 500226. Adverse weather conditions may cause closure of the ferry so if in any doubt please contact the ferryman before making your journey.

Mull Magic offers regular walking tours on Ulva with pick-ups in Tobermory and Salen. The cost is £45.00 per person which includes the ferry to Ulva and entry to the island, packed lunch and afternoon tea in The Boathouse. To request further information please click here.