Banjo’s passion for design, and his love of island life really does shine through in Designing The Hebrides, as he breathes new life into properties across the Islands,” says Steve Allen, commissioning editor for BBC Scotland. BB: I'm kind of over bobbles and bubbles. So, bubble shelves, bubble lamps. Anything bubbly or bobbly isn't for me. Are you green-fingered? But the 38-year-old said making a programme during wild weather just shows what life is really like on the islands.

About Banjo Beale

The island community—consisting of just 10 people—commission Banjo to convert the bothy into a holiday let to attract more tourists. The bothy sits on the water's edge and has no electricity and only cold running water.I can’t wait for everyone to meet the collectors, thinkers and tinkerers, from the Hebrides to Antipodes, who have opened up their world to share how we can all create cool, calm and collected interiors.”

Banjo: Designing the Hebrides – so nice it will make you want Banjo: Designing the Hebrides – so nice it will make you want

Located on small Inner Hebrides island of Ulva with a two-hour walk from the nearest road, locals enlisted interior designer Banjo Beale and a team of tradespeople to help give the property a much-needed makeover. With no power in the bothy, a candelabra is added using old boat pulleys to provide a "warm light", while the beds are converted to box beds—covered by curtains make from blankets to retain warmth and add a cosy atmosphere. Meanwhile, the bothy's battered walls are covered in white limewash paint to brighten them up. But what was it like to be on the side of the judging panel? ‘I thought it would be really hard because I have empathy for anyone that throws themselves open to judging. But when that camera rolls and then you see someone’s house, you have a visceral reaction, good or bad and there’s no hiding that! If I tried to lie, I’m wearing it on my face anyway. It’s a very lovely show, and all the houses are quite beautiful. But I’m not afraid to give my opinion on it.’ Sustaining local craft We knew that we had to follow Banjo on his next adventure when he told us that he wanted to start his interior design business on the Isle of Mull,” says Donna Clark, Executive Producer and DSP MD. Filming with Banjo in such breathtakingly beautiful locales and showcasing his unique creative work has been a true delight.He said: “On Interior Design Masters I used to create an imaginary character for my space, but I didn’t have to do that on the new show. These people are larger-than- life characters, you couldn’t write them.” From a family-owned fish shop in Tobermory, a bothy on the remote island of Ulva to a bookshop and café on Skye, each week, Banjo and his design team embrace a unique interior design project, fulfilling the client’s brief on a limited budget and a fast turnaround. Christine Leach tells the extraordinary story of the Beatons of Pennyghael, physicians to chiefs and kings, while Sir Lachlan MacLean, chief of Clan MacLean of Duart, will be joined by Ray Canham to explore the life of his ancestor Sir Fitzroy MacLean.