Balamory
Balamory was a beloved children’s television programme that aired on the BBC from 2002 to 2005, becoming a staple of preschool viewing in the UK. The show followed the gentle adventures of eight colorful characters living in a small Scottish island community, each episode beginning with the question “What’s the story in Balamory?”
The fictional village of Balamory was actually filmed in Tobermory, the picturesque capital of the Isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Tobermory’s distinctive brightly painted harbourfront houses provided the perfect backdrop for the show, with their vibrant reds, yellows, blues, and pinks instantly recognizable to fans.
The production team selected specific houses in Tobermory to represent each character’s home. Miss Hoolie’s shop was the pink house on the waterfront, while PC Plum’s house was painted blue. Josie Jump’s yellow house, Edie McCredie’s red house, and the other character homes all became tourist attractions in their own right. The show’s creators chose not to repaint the houses but worked with the existing colourful facades that have long characterized Tobermory’s waterfront.
After the show ended, Tobermory experienced a significant boost in tourism, with families traveling to the Isle of Mull specifically to see the real-life Balamory. The town embraced its television fame, and while some of the houses have since been repainted different colors by their owners, the main street retains its cheerful, rainbow-like appearance.
The contrast between the show’s simple storylines and the dramatic Highland scenery surrounding Tobermory added to Balamory’s charm. Beyond the colorful houses, visitors to Tobermory can explore the broader Isle of Mull, with its rugged coastline, wildlife including eagles and otters, and the nearby island of Iona.