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 The
beautiful Isle of Ulva is situated off the west coast of Mull and
is reached by a small passenger ferry, no vehicles are allowed
onto the island. Ulva is privately owned, 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
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, sheep and 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 3 course
lunches, light meals and snacks and specialises in oysters,
marinated salmon and other shellfish. The Boathouse is licensed so
you can enjoy fine wines or try the traditional combination of
Guinness and oysters. New for 2007 the restaurant is 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. In here you can learn about the famous visitors to
Ulva, Boswell and Dr Johnson, Lachlan Macquarie the Father of
Australia and Sir Walter Scott. Beatrix Potter was also a regular
visitor to the island and found inspiration for many of her books
here. The grandparents of the famous explorer and missionary David
Livingstone once lived on Ulva and the walk up to Livingstone's
croft is a must. Whilst walking around the island you may well
come across a large raised sea cave known as Livingstone's cave.
Here, archaeologists have found flint artefacts and fragments of
human bones which can be dated back as far as 5650 BC.
 The Isle
of 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
is 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 Donald Munro 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 £40 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.
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Mull Magic
2 Breadalbane Lane
Tobermory
Isle of Mull
Argyll PA75 6QP
Tel: 01688 301245
Mobile: 07923 153976 |
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