Exciting opportunity to farm on Ulva

In 2018, the Isle of Ulva was bought by the North West Mull Community Woodland Company (NWMCWC) with the aim of ensuring the island’s social and economic development for present and future generations.

Central to these ambitions is management of Ulva’s largest resource, its land, with agriculture playing a vital role.

Since the buy-out, the community group has embarked on an ambitious project to gradually reintroduce and build up agricultural activity alongside the delivery of wider environmental benefits. Large-scale fencing has been carried out to enclose the hill, create a new hill park and replace derelict fences on the in-bye. Stone dykes have been restored and a substantial bracken control programme is under way. Two years ago, a small sheep flock was joined by a newly-established herd of Highland heifers bought from four hill farms on the neighbouring Isle of Mull and a new stock bull will be coming in a few months. An agri-environment climate scheme is in place to protect the many important habitats and species found on Ulva.

This initial work is the first step towards turning Ulva Farm into an actively farmed and vibrant livestock unit again. The next phase has now been signalled by the recent advertisement for a resident, part-time livestock manager position for the next two and a half years which the community group envisages will lead into a full tenancy.

John Addy, one of the directors of NWMCWC, said: ‘Getting farming moving again on Ulva is vital for the sustainable future of the island’s community and environment, but we are the first to admit that we ourselves are not farmers. We were keen from the start to offer someone the opportunity of taking on the tenancy on Ulva and becoming a valuable member of the island’s community, but we were also conscious of how difficult it is to build up a farming business from scratch without a sizeable starting capital.

‘A lot of investment and initial work is needed to bring the farm into a condition that supports sustainable, efficient and safe livestock management alongside tourism and other interests on the island. Our strategy since the buyout has been to get the farm up and running as much as possible so that we can hand something over that is workable for a new tenant.

‘We are very grateful to Iain MacKay of the neighbouring Torloisk Farm on Mull, who has kindly offered to give the new livestock manager additional work if needed to help supplement their income from the initial parttime position on Ulva. Iain is also able to offer mentoring support to help our future tenant settle into their new role and environment. Managing an island hill farm in our part of the world requires a specialist skillset so having the offer from an experienced farmer to share their knowledge of the local farming challenges and opportunities is really appreciated.’

Iain MacKay, a hill livestock farmer all his life, has for many years been involved at policy and political level to fight the corner of new entrants and tenant farmers, and was the first chairman of the NFUS Next Generation Group, along with being a former QMS Monitor farmer for Mull. He has first-hand experience of the challenges faced by new entrant and tenant farmers.

Commenting on the Isle of Ulva project, Iain MacKay said: ‘It is increasingly difficult these days for new entrants and tenant farmers to get access to land, especially land that comes with a decent tenancy which offers the longer-term security needed to grow a sustainable, profitable and resilient farming business. I had to deal with a lot of challenges as a new entrant tenant farmer and my business was held back for many years because of that. That’s why I welcome tenancy opportunities coming onto the market. I am very happy to help the revitalisation of Ulva Farm and, if needed, offer support to the incoming future tenant by sharing my knowledge and experience of hill farming and giving them additional work here at Torloisk.

‘Neighbouring is an important tradition amongst hill farmers and I would like to see this type of collaboration continue for the benefit of the next generation. The industry is currently facing a lot of uncertainty and there will undoubtedly be many more challenges ahead, but for the right person this is a great opportunity.’

Interested parties are encouraged to apply via Scottish Land Matching Service, which will handle all applications and help to draw up a shortlist of suitable candidates.