Dream job running remote island cafe
● Search begins for new residents to take over running of eaterie by the shore
It could be a once in a lifetime oppor tunit y to live the S cottish island dream.
The island of Ulva is looking for new residents to take over the running of The Boathouse cafe/restaurant.
The Boathouse is housed in a prett y whitewashed building where fresh local produce, including seafood, has been the order of the day for many years.
Ulva has just six residents but attracts around 7,000 visitors a year, many who stop at The Boathouse for a bite – or a cup of tea and some home baking – with a view. The restaurant sits next to the shore, just by the ferry slipway.
Ulva has been in community ownership since 2018 with the island now run by the North West Mull Community Woodland Company (NWMCWC), which said The Boat house presented a “fantastic opportunity” to develop a business, support tourism and be part of the island community.
The community company said it wanted to offer a private lease for The Boat house to support the growth of a small business and see the population of the island grow.
Colin Morrison, Chair of NWMCWC said :‘ This is an opportunity for someone to manage and develop a hospitality business on the island.
“It will hopefully appeal to someone interested in developing a profitable and successful business in a remote and unique setting. We are really keen to support small businesses to grow and develop on Ulva and this is a great opportunity to do that.”
NWMCWC bought the island after its last owner, Jamie Howard, put the estate on the market. It had been in his family for 70 years, after his grandmother bought the island in the 1940s for £10,000.
The community comp any, which owns part of Mull, received £4.4 million from Scottish Land Fund, financed by the Scottish Government, to make the purchase.
After plans for the community buyout emerged, more than 500 people from around the world contributed to the Ulva Buy out Just Giving crowdfunding site. Meanwhile, 350 people expressed and interest in moving there, with the pro cess ongoing to find the right residents to help grow the island and build the infrastructure the community will need for the future.
One of the main objectives is to get agriculture going again on Ulva, which in its prime was home to around 800 people, with collecting kelp a main source of income.
Today, some of the suggested careers for future residents include joiners, roofers, crofters, tour guides and foresters.
Many homes on the island lie in a ruined state, with the community council working with Argyll and Bute council to appoint architects to work on their restoration.
Over the summer, renovation of six properties has got underway, with a view to lease them out at an affordable rent.
Work has also been ongoing at Ulva House, the main property on the island, which will be turned into a heritage centre to tell the island story.