Ulva Ferry receives £250,000 boost for waterfront project

A project to create waterfront facilities and a community hub at a remote community has secured up to £249,885 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

Ulva Ferry is situated on the far western coast of the Isle of Mull, with a 40-minute drive on single track roads to the nearest town of Tobermory.

The £852,475 project is being taken forward by the Mull and Iona Community Trust (MICT), which has led several projects at Ulva Ferry for more than a decade, including six new homes, and a transport scheme that uses a hybrid minibus and electric car to connect Ulva Ferry with shops, health services and social activities across Mull.

A new pontoon has also been installed for visiting yachts and motorhome pitches created with electric and water hook-ups and chemical waste disposal for visitors.

This latest initiative will see development of a new building to provide facilities for visitors and residents. It will also act as a community hub, providing much-needed space for the growing local community.

The building will include toilets, showers, laundrette and kitchen, as well as a storeroom, office, and multifunction room.

Since 2011, MICT has focused on the recovery and resilience of the Ulva Ferry population and wider community. Around 150 people now live and work in the community and the local primary school roll has more than doubled.

The trust has secured support from Argyll and Bute Council, Rural and Islands Housing Fund, the Green Bus Investment Fund, Plugged in Communities, Inspiring Scotland, Coastal Communities Fund, Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund, the Scottish Land Fund, and HIE, which has been working with MICT for over 15 years.

Morag Goodfellow, HIE’s area manager for Argyll and the Islands, said: “We work with community organisations across the Highlands and Islands to bring economic and social benefits. MICT is a great example. This latest initiative will add more value to community-owned assets by enhancing the visitor offering, and it will further strengthen community and population resilience.

“I look forward to seeing the project take shape.”

Moray Finch, MICT’s general manager, said: “The whole team is delighted with the support from HIE to get this project over the line for the Ulva Ferry community. HIE has stood beside us helping to strengthen the Ulva Ferry Community, we just couldn’t have achieved what we have without HIE.”