Ulva Ferry – Isle of Ulva

The Ulva Ferry crosses one of the shortest stretches of water among the Scottish islands, linking the hamlet of Ulva Ferry on Mull with the community-owned Isle of Ulva. It carries foot passengers and bicycles only; there is no car ferry, and visitors leave vehicles in the car park on the Mull side before crossing. The boat is run by local ferryman Rhuri Munro on behalf of the North West Mull Community Woodland Company (NWMCWC), the charity that has owned and managed Ulva since islanders and their neighbours bought it from its previous private owner in 2018. There is no printed timetable and nothing to book. During operating hours you simply walk down to the pontoon on the Mull side and the ferryman takes you across as you arrive. In 2026 the season runs from 1 April to 31 October, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm. The ferry does not run on Saturdays, and, unlike in some previous summers, it is not running on Sundays in 2026 either; NWMCWC says Sunday sailings will be reviewed before the 2027 season. Outside the 1 April to 31 October window there is no service at all, so Ulva has no ferry over winter. Because the crossing is short and exposed to the weather, sailings can also be affected at short notice, and the ferryman always has the final say on whether it is safe to sail. Fares are paid on the day: £8 for an adult, £4 for a child and £2 to bring a bicycle, by cash, card or contactless, and well-behaved dogs travel free. Once across, Ulva has no cars and few facilities beyond The Boathouse tea room by the slip, so most people come to walk the island's paths and shoreline, visit Sheila's Cottage or the restored church, and spend a few hours somewhere that feels far bigger than its size, all without needing to book a thing in advance.