Designing the Hebrides is a charming and visually engaging lifestyle series that blends interior design, creativity, and the rugged beauty of Scotland’s island landscapes. Across its episodes, the show follows host Banjo Beale as he and his team undertake inventive renovation and makeover projects on properties spread through the Inner and Outer Hebrides, from bothies and cafes to pubs and community spaces, often overcoming logistical challenges posed by remote locations and limited resources.
Each episode sets out a fresh design brief from local clients, calling on Banjo’s flair and ingenuity to deliver characterful, practical solutions tailored to the unique spirit and culture of island life. The show’s format highlights not only the transformation of interiors but also the collaboration between Banjo, his small band of skilled island helpers and the homeowners themselves, bringing out community stories as much as aesthetic results.
Set against the stunning backdrops of places like the Isle of Mull, Skye, Ulva and the Outer Hebrides, Designing the Hebrides showcases the dramatic scenery and weather that shape life in these parts, adding an element of natural drama to every project and episode. The series balances ambition with resourcefulness, demonstrating how beautiful design can be achieved even with tight budgets and logistical hurdles.
While the tasks can range from transforming a small bothy with no utilities to revamping a traditional fish shop or designing a multi-purpose room in a heritage building, the heart of the show lies in bringing new life to spaces that matter deeply to the local people who use them. Viewers get a sense of place as much as design inspiration, seeing how spaces evolve to better serve island communities.
The series is presented by Australian-born interior designer Banjo Beale, who won the BBC’s Interior Design Masters and established his own design practice in the Hebrides. Based on the Isle of Mull, Banjo brings his distinctive style, enthusiasm and resourceful approach to each project, working closely with local residents and craftsmen to create bespoke and characterful interiors across the Scottish islands.
