4 days ago
Banjo and Ro's Grand Island Hotel - New BBC Scotland series to follow the two designers as they transform a derelict mansion on a remote Scottish island
New six-part series Banjo and Ro's Grand Island Hotel sees interior designer Banjo Beale and husband Ro take on their biggest design project – turning a derelict mansion on the remote Isle of Ulva in Scotland into a stunning boutique hotel. Together, Banjo and Ro hope to transform the fortunes of the crumbling house and the island community. Banjo and Ro's Grand Island Hotel is a Hello Halo production for BBC Scotland with filming beginning in June.
Situated 150 metres off the west coast of the Isle of Mull in Scotland, Ulva used to have a population of 800 but now just 14 call it home. At the centre of the island stands Ulva House, a once enchanting Regency home, the former residence of the first Governor of Australia, Lachlan MacQuarrie.
However, in recent years, Ulva House has stood abandoned, falling into disrepair until the local community bought it in 2018. Banjo and Ro's Grand Island Hotel will follow the trials, tribulations, design dilemmas and community spirit it takes to bring Ulva House back to life and, hopefully, turn it into a must-visit getaway.
Along the way, the couple - who have relocated to Ulva along with Grampa the dog as well as their chickens and pigs - will face the challenges of remote island life and a limited budget but these two dreamers are determined to transform the crumbling mansion into a stunning destination hotel.
Says Banjo: 'This is my biggest project yet with an absolute nightmare of a client - myself. Ro and I have officially lost the plot. We're going to try and rescue a crumbling, abandoned manor on the wild and windswept Isle of Ulva. With 16 residents, no roads and no clue how we're going to pull it off, it's going to be my boldest and muddiest adventure yet. There'll be midges, madness, and hopefully a miracle or two.'
Banjo's husband Ro adds: 'I thought we were just here for a quiet escape, next thing I know, I'm knee-deep in filth, chasing pigs out of the hallway, and somehow in charge of sourcing vintage chandelier crystals from 1855. Banjo calls it a vision; I call it grounds for divorce.'
The Executive Producers on Banjo and Ro's Grand Island Hotel are Wendy Rattray and Joff Wilson for Hello Halo and Steve Allen for BBC Scotland. The series will be directed and produced by Joe Sharpe.
Wendy Rattray, Executive Producer, says: 'An abandoned house, a wild, untamed landscape. No road access. No running water. Barely any electricity. Banjo and Ro may have lost the plot but have no shortage of dreams and schemes as they attempt the most staggering of transformations in one of the most magical parts of the UK. We're delighted to be joining Banjo and Ro on this real world, high stakes renovation as they attempt to turn around the fortunes of this once stunning mansion and breathe new life into the island.'
Steve Allen, BBC Scotland's Executive Producer, adds: 'Banjo and Ro's Island Grand Hotel, the duo's biggest design challenge to date, will provide pure escapism for our audiences. Combining the nation's love of interior design and renovation, this series will be full of emotion, skill, and heart. Set amongst a stunning Hebrides backdrop, the weather might not always be warm but the welcome to Ulva will be.'
Filming on Banjo and Ro's Grand Island Hotel begins in June through to October. The series is expected to air on BBC iPlayer and BBC Scotland in 2026.
JM2
