This is the shortest and simplest of the waymarked walks on Ulva. It follows tracks linking the ferry jetty and cafe, the farm, house and church.
Bog Factor
Rough tracks.
Ulva ferry jetty.
Ferry to Ulva usually on demand 9-5.30 April to October; no ferries at the weekend. From Salen, there is the Ulva Ferry Community Bus, which must be booked in advance.
NM443398
The Ulva ferry runs on demand when open and is summoned by sliding a board to reveal a red square above the jetty. The crossing is short and lands at a pier just below the excellent Boathouse cafe at the eastern end of the island. There are several waymarked walks on Ulva and a leaflet is available from the ferryman and cafe; all begin by heading to the right along the track past the Boathouse and curving left uphill. A signpost indicates Sheila's house on the right - this old heather-thatched building is a tiny museum and also houses information about the island. Continue up the track.
Almost immediately a junction with many signs is reached. Turn left - signed for the Woodland walk as well as this Farm walk - and continue on the track, with a sea inlet visible to the left. The track continues towards Ulva House; at the large mature trees with stone wall behind you can detour to the right to visit the walled garden via a small gate. Currently being restored by volunteers, there are a number of flowering rhododendrons and azaleas.
Continue along the track along the shore, ignore a small track to the right. At a junction the Woodland walk goes off left, but our route follows the track which bends right. At the next junction the Livingstone walk comes in from the left - keep straight ahead here, passing to the right of the farm cottage. After more woodland, some old stone outbuildings are reached. Again, keep straight ahead, signed for Farm circuit.
At the next fork, the quickest way back to the jetty is to bear right, but it's worth bearing slightly left on a track to visit the church. Keep ahead at another junction to reach it. This impressive building was designed by Thomas Telford in 1828; it can hold 300 and is a reminder of the former population of the island; in 1841 Ulva had 570 people whilst neighbouring Gometra was home to another 78 people. By 1851, three quarters of the population of the two islands had been cleared by the new owner of the island, Francis William Clark. Today Ulva is community owned.
The track continues ahead to reach Ardalum House which has been converted to a hostel; instead retrace your steps briefly, then fork left at a track junction. At the next junction, go left again. Soon there are views over to a sea inlet seen on your left. Go left again at the next junction and then follow the track back to the ferry jetty and the Boathouse Cafe.
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