Interior design guru, Banjo Beale, sets his sights on the Scottish isles in Designing The Hebrides, a new six-part series (6x30), co-commission for BBC Scotland and BBC Two produced by DSP production (a Banijay UK company).

In this warm and characterful new series, Banjo and his friendly team of tradespeople travel across the Scottish islands using their craft skills, energy and creativity to bring Banjo’s Hebridean design dreams to life. Designing the Hebrides will air on BBC Scotland, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer later in 2023.

From a family-owned fish shop in Tobermory, a bothy on the remote island of Ulva to a bookshop and café on Skye, Banjo and the team rise to the Hebridean make-over challenge.

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. Set against stunning Scottish landscapes and amidst the challenges of hard-to-reach locations and extreme conditions, Designing The Hebrides showcases distinctive makeovers, encapsulating Banjo’s irrepressible enthusiasm, ingenuity and design flair.

Banjo says: “My hometown of Tobermory is one of the most colourful in the UK but on the inside, some of the spaces are crying out for character. Thankfully, some brave locals are handing me the keys to their places, from a bothy two hours walk from the nearest road to a remote lighthouse, castle turret and beloved community rugby club. They’re dream properties to design but logistical nightmares to deliver.

“The weather is unpredictable, the locals are straight talking, the budgets are lean and you can’t just run to the shops to buy supplies - you have to be resourceful!”

Since taking home the crown on the BBC’s Interior Design Masters in 2022, Australian-born Banjo launched his own interior design business from the Isle of Mull, his home with husband Ro for the last eight years. In Designing The Hebrides Banjo brings his unique design style to the people who welcomed him into their community and other Hebridean islands.

Steve Allen, Commissioning Editor, BBC Scotland, says: “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.”

Clare Mottershead, Lead Commissioning Editor, Factual Entertainment and Events, adds: ‘Banjo’s originality, warmth and wit made him a favourite with our Interior Design Masters audience so it’s great to be able to share the next chapter of his story as he brings his infectious passion for design to his adopted Hebridean home.”

Donna Clark, Executive Producer and DSP MD says: “When Banjo told us that he wanted to start his interior design business on the Isle of Mull, we knew that we had to follow him on his next adventure. It’s been a real pleasure to film with Banjo in such a breathtakingly beautiful locations and bring his idiosyncratic design work to the screen.”

Designing The Hebrides is a DSP production (a Banijay UK company) commissioned by Steve Allen for BBC Scotland and Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning, Factual Entertainment and Events. The Executive Producers are Donna Clark and John Featherstone. The Commissioning Editor is Clare Mottershead.