A late deadline dash has seen more than 350 people express an interest in living on a Scottish island which currently has just five residents.
In fact the applications – if all were eventually selected to become islanders – would represent a 7,000 percent rise in the existing population of Ulva.
Residents on the community-owned island want people to move to start a business or to run an enterprise from Ulva.
A survey has been created to select potential future islanders and applications close at the end of the month.
Nestled off the coast of Mull in the inner Hebrides, the island was home to at least 800 people in its prime.
But these days, Ulva is home to just five people. It actually lost a resident with the departure of Jamie Howard, a member of the previous owning family.
On June 21 last year, the island was the subject of a successful – if controversial – community buy-out.
Islanders, represented by North West Mull Community Woodland Company Ltd (NWMCWCL), were able to secure up to £4.4 million in funds from the Scottish Land Fund and other grants from the Macquarie Group and a crowdfunding campaign to allow it to buy the island.
A spokesman for NWMCWCL said today that over 350 expressions of interest to move to the island have so far been registered. They are believed to have come from all over the world.
“We’re letting the survey run its full course before reviewing the results but early indications show engagement from people representing a breadth of backgrounds,” he said.
“The survey is a very important element in unlocking the next stages of the island’s development.
“It will play a critical role in providing evidence of demand and interest in Ulva’s repopulation.
“Specifically, the next stage is using the survey’s results to assist the process involved in improving the island’s housing stock.”
We might be biased, but you can’t beat Ulva and Mull for wildlife and scenery!
We saw three otters and a golden eagle on the woodland walk this afternoon #isleofulva pic.twitter.com/cN3KwaPRaD— Isle of Ulva (@isleofulva) January 6, 2019
The Highlands Small Communities Housing Trust (HSCHT) created the survey to identify individuals, families and businesses who wish to relocate to Ulva and become part of the community.
The spokesman added: “Ulva is a blank canvas available for individuals to establish their home, business or both.
“As a first course of action, we plan to renovate six of the existing dwellings to provide quality homes for the current two households and four for new-comers.
“Our aim is to regenerate Ulva to become a thriving community once again, both socially and economically.
“This will require an influx of new residents and businesses to plant their roots on Ulva.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to become one of the founding members of Ulva’s new community.”
The survey is available at hscht.survey.fm/ulva-survey-1 and can also be found on NWMCWCL’s website, Facebook page and Twitter account.
