NWMCWC is delighted to be organising a special fundraising dinner at The Boathouse on Ulva on Friday 7th August, with all proceeds going towards the much-needed roof repairs and thatching works at Sheila’s Cottage.

The evening will bring together local food, an auction and live music, while raising funds to help protect one of Ulva’s most distinctive historic buildings.

An evening celebrating local produce

The dinner will run from 6pm to 10pm, with a three-course menu featuring produce from Ulva and the surrounding area.

The menu includes Tobermory Fish Canapés, Ulva Farm hogget croquettes and a choice of Ulva Farm beef or grilled langoustines, served with vegetables from Calltainn Croft. Dessert will be homegrown rhubarb compote with crème pâtissière and almond crumble. Vegetarian options are available on request.

The meal will be followed by a fundraising auction and live music, with further details on the music to be confirmed.

Auction prizes

A brilliant selection of prizes has already been donated, including:

• An Ulva Farm beef box worth £200
• A two-night stay at Ulva Hostel
• A meal for two at The Boathouse
• A family trip to Staffa with Turus Mara
• A family trip to Staffa and Iona with Turus Mara
• An Ormaig Seaweed Skincare hamper

There may also be a few more prizes added before the evening.

Tickets and ferry arrangements

Tickets are £35 per person.

Free ferry crossings, courtesy of Rhuri, will run from 5.45pm and again at the end of the evening. Guests should be aware that there will be no ferry crossings during the event.

The venue is small and spaces are limited. To register your interest, please email admin@nwmullwoodland.co.uk and include:

• The number of tickets you would like
• Your preferred main course
• Any dietary requirements

We will confirm on Tuesday 4th August whether you have secured a place and will then provide payment details.

Supporting Sheila’s Cottage

Sheila’s Cottage is an important part of Ulva’s history, but its thatched roof now requires significant repair and water is already getting into the building.

The longer-term aim is to protect the cottage and develop it as a small heritage and visitor space, preserving the character of Sheila’s home while sharing the story of Ulva, its people, Gaelic culture and natural heritage.

This fundraising evening is an opportunity to enjoy a special night on Ulva while helping to secure the cottage for future generations.

NWMCWC has updated its Expression of Interest procedure for community assets.

This procedure explains how the charity considers requests from individuals, groups, organisations or businesses who are interested in leasing, using, operating or purchasing assets owned by NWMCWC.

The original procedure was adopted in February 2025. It has now been updated to make the process clearer and easier to follow.

The main changes are:

• the procedure now clearly separates charity-initiated EOIs and community-initiated EOIs;
• EOIs will now be reviewed through scheduled Board meetings, rather than on an ad-hoc basis;
• the process for community-initiated EOIs has been clarified, including initial Board screening;
• the public notice stage has been clarified, including community feedback and the opportunity for competing EOIs where relevant;
• the EOI form has been updated to request clearer information on the asset, location, access, financial arrangements, environmental considerations, experience, conflicts of interest and previous involvement with NWMCWC;
• the wording now reflects that EOIs may relate to leasing, using or purchasing community assets.

The updated documents also make clear that approval of an EOI does not create a lease, licence, sale agreement or any other legal right to use or purchase an asset. Any agreement will only be confirmed once it has been approved by the Board and completed by both parties.

The updated procedure and EOI form are now available on the NWMCWC website here: Minutes & Documents – NWMCWC, or for download below.

NWMCWC also intends to make the EOI form available as an online form in future, to make the process more user-friendly and easier to complete.

Anyone considering submitting an EOI should read the procedure and Asset Use Principles before completing the form.

For any questions, please contact admin@nwmullwoodland.co.uk.

The Charity is really pleased to share that the Concept Study for Ulva Church is now complete.

This work was funded through The Argyll and the Islands Community Led Local Development (CLLD) Fund — provided by the Scottish Government’s CLLD programme — and delivered by New Practice, and marks an important step forward in bringing the building back into use.

The study sets out a clear and realistic direction for the church — as a simple, flexible space for the community, with the potential to host occasional events that could help support its long-term upkeep. It builds directly on the conversations held with residents and the wider Mull community, and we hope people feel that their perspectives and wishes have been respectfully reflected in the proposal.

This forms part of a wider three-year plan to restore Ulva Church. With this stage now complete, we’ve already started taking the next steps to keep momentum going — progressing funding applications and preparing for the detailed technical work needed to move the project forward.

The church is in need of urgent repairs, particularly to the roof, to prevent further deterioration, and has been closed to public for safety reason. This won’t be a quick fix — the costs will be significant, and we’ll need to secure the right support and funding to do it properly — but we now have a clear foundation to build from. You can read more about the church and how to support its restoration here.

At the moment, Ulva has no indoor public space, so this project has the potential to make a real difference for residents, as well as improving facilities for visitors.

Read the full study by clicking the link below:

Ulva Church Concept Study

Thanks again to the CLLD Fund for supporting this stage of the project!

We are currently experiencing a high volume of enquiries and Expressions of Interest (EOI) relating to land, projects, and new initiatives across Ulva and north west Mull. It’s been genuinely great to see the level of interest, ideas and passion people have for the islands.

As a small team, we’re working through these as quickly as we can, but responses may take a little longer than usual. Please be assured that all enquiries and EOIs are being logged and reviewed, and we will respond in due course.

Thank you for your patience while we work through them.

North West Mull Community Woodland Company (NWMCWC) is introducing a clear and structured process for individuals, businesses, and organisations interested in leasing or using community-owned assets. This approach aims to ensure transparency in decision-making while encouraging community participation in ways that contribute to the long-term sustainability of Ulva and North West Mull.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) process provides a straightforward way for interested parties to put forward proposals for leasing buildings, using land, or developing new initiatives. Submissions will be assessed based on the NWMCWC’s Asset Use Principles, ensuring that opportunities are allocated fairly and in a way that benefits the wider community.

As this is a new process, we will review it regularly to ensure it remains clear, accessible, and fit for purpose. In addition to commercial leases, we encourage individuals or groups with ideas for community activities, events, or other initiatives to get in touch by emailing admin@nwmullwoodland.co.uk. We are keen to support projects that align with the long-term sustainability and development of Ulva and North West Mull communities.

The full procedure, EOI Form and Asset Use Principles are now available to download here:

For more information or to discuss a potential proposal, please contact admin@nwmullwoodland.co.uk.