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Daily Record
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Scotland's 'Balamory town' where homes are affordable as iconic series returns
Property prices are actually lower than the national average. Scotland's seaside towns and villages all benefit from coastal views, and are all wonderful places to live. However, there is nowhere in the country quite like Tobermory. The capital town of the Isle of Mull, Tobermory was originally built as a fishing port in the late 18th century. Today, it is a popular tourist destination and is considered among the prettiest ports in the UK. Tobermory is perhaps most famous as the location of the beloved 2000s children's television series Balamory. The town's colourful seafront buildings feature prominently in the show. As reported by the Daily Record, the BBC has announced the return of Balamory after its last episode aired in June 2005. New episodes of the programme will debut next year, with original stars reprising their roles. Julie Wilson Nimmo, Andrew Agnew, Kim Tserkezie, and Julie Cadzow are set to return as Miss Hoolie, PC Plum, Penny Pocket, and Edie McCredie respectively. The revival will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer and CBeebies in 2026. In anticipation of Balamory's comeback, property experts at Sell House Fast have revealed how much homes in the area cost. They also investigated how prices have changed in the years since the show has been on air. According to Sell House Fast, the average cost of a detached house in Tobermory is £300,083. Meanwhile, semi-detached houses are priced at £255,000 on average. The experts also found that most homes sold in Tobermory over the past year were flats. These cost an average of £139,750. Overall, in the past year, property in Tobermory sold for an average of £221,947. This is slightly lower than the national Scottish average of £223,657. Sell House Fast stated that property prices in the town peaked in 2008. According to the experts, this indicates that the popularity of Balamory had "little impact" on prices, as the show ended years earlier. Jack Malnick, MD of Sell House Fast, commented: "With the filming of Balamory returning to the vibrant Scottish seaside town of Tobermory, residents and prospective buyers will be wondering if the show will impact the housing market. "Whilst homes can indeed increase in value when they feature in TV shows, it isn't always the case—and I don't see it being the case here. "House prices in Tobermory peaked in 2008, years after the show originally aired, which suggests that it had little impact on property prices in the town. "However, the show's return may well lead to an increase in a demand for short term accommodation in the town. Balamory had two million weekly viewers at its peak, and if the reboot has the same success, many young fans may want to visit the real-life town, offering an increase in tourist revenue and leading to more homeowners to capitalise on this demand by renting out their properties as holiday homes." For those looking to visit the charming town, in terms of holiday lets, there are plenty of options to choose from around Tobermory. One of these is a "beautiful bothy with sea views" that sleeps up to two guests, which can be booked for £375 for two nights through Airbnb. The traditional stone cottage sits high up in the town, with views out over the sea from the garden patio. Inside, there is a double bed "in a cosy nook" and a wood-burner for chilly evenings. Elsewhere, there is a flat to rent in one of the iconic buildings along Tobermory's waterfront. Also available through Airbnb, it can be booked for £280 for three nights. Sleeping up to two visitors, the apartment features one bedroom with an en-suite shower room. There is also a large living room, kitchen, and dining room at front of the building that offers "fantastic views" according to the listing. Average house prices in Tobermory per property type Detached house — £300,083 Semi-detached house — £255,000 Flat — £139,750
Daily Record
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to appear at 2025 Wigtown Book Festival
Comedians Julie Wilson Nimmo and Greg Hemphill and Del Amitri frontman Justin Currie will also be appearing at Scotland's Book Town. Nicola Sturgeon is heading to this year's Wigtown Book Festival. The former First Minister will be in conversation with Gavin Esler in Scotland's Book Town to talk about her new memoir Frankly. Another highlight of the festival, which runs from September 26 to October 5 – will be comedians Julie Wilson Nimmo and Greg Hemphill. The couple will be closing the festival with a discussion about their new guide to wild swimming in Scotland, which accompanies their BBC TV series Jules and Greg's Wild Swim. Balamory star Julie said: 'We've always loved the sound of Wigtown Book Festival and now we finally get to go. We're really looking forward to it. 'It's such a great line-up of authors, and there's so much more going on even beyond the book events. Plus the Galloway coast is so beautiful, we'll doubtless be off for a swim while we're there.' There will be more than 200 events as part of the festival and other well known names set to appear are Del Amitri frontman Justin Curie, former chancellor Jeremy Hunt, broadcasters Reeta Chakrabarti and Louise Minchin and stand-ups Helen Lederer and Robin Ince. The festival's outgoing creative director, Adrian Turpin, said: 'Wigtown gives audiences the chance to enjoy famous names, new writers, great storytelling, big ideas and colourful characters in intimate surroundings at the heart of Scotland's National Book Town. 'The festival prides itself on being friendly, laid-back, full of surprises and intensely curious. Dive and you never know what you will find.' The programme, announced this week, also includes Rory-Cellan Jones telling the heart-warming story of how he adopted Sophie, the Romanian rescue dog; TV antiques expert James Braxton with adventures from the auction room; former newsreader and foreign reporter John Suchet explores his lifelong love affair with Beethoven; and the presenter of the BBC's The Big Scottish Book Club, Damian Barr, tells the extraordinary story of the love affair between 'the two Roberts', Scottish artists Colquhoun and Macbryde. There will also be a strong focus on new Scottish writing and appearances from some of the UK's most acclaimed non-fiction writers including Anne Sebba, Lucy Hughes-Hallett, Kate Summerscale, Andrew Lownie, Suzanne O'Sullivan and Horatio Clare. The winners of the Wigtown Poetry Prizes and the Anne Brown Essay Prize for Scotland will be announced during the festival, while Professor Sir John Kay will deliver the James Mirrlees lecture, in honour of the Galloway-born Nobel Prize-winner. The festival's offering also includes a strong young adult programme, supported by The Holywood Trust, and Big Wig, its dedicated children's festival.
Edinburgh Reporter
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Balamory is back on TV screens
Children's favourite Balamory is to return to TV screens with the first new episodes in two decades set to be shown next year. Filming has begun on a new series, which will blend familiar characters such as nursery teacher Miss Hoolie, played by Julie Wilson Nimmo, and PC Plum, portrayed by Andrew Agnew, with a host of new faces. Brand new characters will include scientist and inventor Ava Potts, played by Danielle Jam; the Harbour Master, played by William Andrews; and local vet Dr Ollie, played by Carl Spencer. Filming is underway on location in Tobermory, the real-life town on the Isle of Mull that inspired the show's iconic setting. Two new series have been commissioned, each with ten new 14-minute episodes. The 'revamped series' will air next year on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer. Originally produced in 2002, Balamory was a huge hit with preschool kids over four series before it ended in 2005. The show became a staple of early childhood entertainment, with 'home-grown storytelling' about the much-loved nursery school and the small island community that surrounds it. 'Lovingly reimagined for today's families', the new series promises to 'retain its original spirit while introducing fresh elements to captivate young viewers'. The BBC confirmed that, at its heart, will remain the charming fictional town of Balamory, 'where brightly-coloured houses cluster around a scenic harbour and life revolves around the nursery school and its caring teacher'. Kate Morton, Senior Head of Children's Commissioning 0-6 BBC Children's and Education, said: 'It's wonderful to see some of the original cast returning alongside new faces, creating a perfect mix of nostalgia and discovery for families to enjoy together. 'This vibrant new series will delight both children and the grown-ups who remember it fondly.' PHOTO :Lion Television Scotland / BBC Like this: Like Related
The Journal
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
Balamory cast returns to Scottish island to film new season after 20-year hiatus
THE POPULAR 2000s children's show Balamory is returning for a new season after 20 years. The show, branded by the BBC the world's first soap-opera for pre-school children, follows the lives of residents of a small Scottish island. The cast have now returned to the real-life town, Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, to film a brand new season for the next generation of children. CBeebies shared photos of the cast members Julie Wilson Nimmo, who plays Ms Hoolie, Andrew Agnew (PC Plum), and Kim Tserkezie (Penny Pocket). View this post on Instagram A post shared by CBeebies Parenting (@cbeebieshq) The announcement that Balamory would return was met with excitement among now grown-up fans, including some well-known names. Advertisement Scarlett Moffet, presenter and former Gogglebox star, commented on the post: 'This has made me so happy. Scottish Comedian Paul Black told them to 'bring back the bob,' referencing Ms Hoolie's iconic hair do. Ms Hoolie's green house CBeebies CBeebies Balamory had 253 episodes that aired between 2002 and 2005. From its premiere, it received rave reviews, helping to establish the BBC's new children's channel CBeebies. Each episode centres a selection of the town's colourful characters – which include a painter, an inventor, a bus driver, a shop owner and more – and a problem they must solve. Local pre-school teacher Ms Hoolie, acts as the protagonist and a friend to the others in the town. CBeebies CBeebies Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
BBC News
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Balamory returns - filming begins on new series to premiere on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer in 2026
CBeebies and Lion Television Scotland have released a first-look picture showing Miss Hoolie (Julie Wilson Nimmo) as filming gets underway on location in Tobermory, the real-life Isle of Mull town that inspired the show's iconic setting. The new series will blend familiar faces with a host of new characters, offering preschoolers a joyful mix of stories, comedy, songs and adventures. At its heart remains the charming fictional town of Balamory and its lively inhabitants, where brightly-coloured houses cluster around a scenic harbour and life revolves around the nursery school and its caring teacher. Read more: See the Beloved Balamory stars returning to the iconic children's series HH Follow for more
