Interior designer Banjo Beale and his husband Ro have opened up about their biggest regret as they take on their most ambitious project yet: transforming a derelict mansion on the remote Isle of Ulva into a boutique hotel. The new BBC Scotland series, Banjo and Ro’s Grand Island Hotel, follows the couple as they attempt to revive Ulva House, a once-stately Regency home that has fallen into disrepair.
Ulva, located off the west coast of the Isle of Mull, now has only 14 residents, down from a population of 800 in the past. The crumbling mansion was once the residence of Lachlan MacQuarrie, the first Governor of Australia. Banjo and Ro, along with their dog Grampa and livestock, have relocated to the island to tackle the renovation with a limited budget and no road access.
Banjo admitted the project has been a nightmare, calling himself “the worst client” and describing the venture as “grounds for divorce” according to Ro. The series, produced by Hello Halo for BBC Scotland, will document their trials, design dilemmas, and the community spirit required to bring the hotel to life. Filming runs from June to October, with the series expected to air on BBC iPlayer and BBC Scotland in 2026.
