Isle of Mull – Holiday apartment among white-tailed eagles, coasts and mountains

The Isle of Mull combines a rugged, varied landscape with island history, art, regional specialities and impressive nature experiences. Mull’s landscape ranges from the rugged north and mountainous centre to shell-sand beaches and dramatic sea inlets in the southwest. Because of its large populations of white-tailed eagles and majestic golden eagles, Mull is often known as “Eagle Island”.

Nature and landscape

One of the distinctive landscape features is Ben More, Scotland’s westernmost Munro. In the north of Mull lies Calgary Bay, the largest and most easily accessible beach in the north of Mull. In the Art in Nature woodland at Calgary Bay, paths lead between sculptures, carvings and art installations. Near Tobermory, there are woodland areas, waterfalls and an adventure trail.

Wildlife watching is also connected with a variety of habitats. Mull has a wildlife hide suitable for observing red deer and birds of prey. On the coast of Mull, there is another wildlife hide from which dolphins, porpoises and otters can be observed. Mull Magic offers wildlife walks on Mull, with otter walks being a speciality.

Culture and history

Duart Castle has been the seat of the Macleans of Duart since the 13th century. Torosay Castle (Duart House) has formal gardens that have outstanding artistic value because of their contribution. The Mull Museum provides information about the history of the Isle of Mull and offers free admission.

The Mull and Iona Arts Trail connects visitors with local artists in studios, galleries, shops, cafés, venues and outdoor locations. In a woodland on Mull, there is also an old, peaceful burial ground with impressive gravestones.

Experiences

The Burg Footpath leads to MacCulloch’s 50-million-year-old fossil tree. Tobermory Distillery offers distillery experiences that can be booked in advance; its Visitor Centre can be visited without prior booking. Throughout the year, the Isle of Mull hosts whisky festivals, Highland Games, a well-known car rally, cycling competitions, agricultural shows and cultural events.

Food and drink

The Mull and Iona Food Trail lists cafés, restaurants and hotels that use island ingredients, as well as outlets selling local fish and island meat. The Food Trail’s Moveable Feasts include guided farm walks followed by a picnic, pop-up fine dining in a castle and street-food festivals.

Tobermory Stores stocks products from the Isle of Mull, including local meat, cheese, biscuits and shortbread. The Lazy Cow Farm Shop stocks products from Mull and Argyll, including Isle of Mull Cheese.

Getting there

The most direct connection to Mull is the ferry from Oban to Craignure; the crossing usually takes around 45 minutes. Fionnphort is a departure point for the ferry to Iona. Boat trips to Staffa also depart from there.

Further destinations to explore: Inveraray, Carradale, Ardlui, Lussagiven, Cairndow, Saint Catherines, Bridge Of Orchy, Isle of Bute.

For the higher-level travel overview: Argyll And Bute.