Immersive cultural experiences can transform a good holiday to a great one. Scotland is well known for its warm Highland welcome and on the Hebridean Isle of Mull, it’s no different. So if you’re keen to immerse yourself in the local culture, enjoy an authentic taste of all-things Scottish, read on for three fantastic cultural experiences on the Isle of Mull.

1 Clans and castles

There are believed to have once been as many as 2,000 castles in Scotland. Defensive buildings and the historic family seats of clans, castles have a huge place in Scottish culture and history. 

For visitors to Mull, there’s the chance to see several, from the ruins of Moy Castle at Lochbuie and Aros Castle on the east coast, to the well-preserved Duart Castle, which is open for tours, to the privately owned Glengorm Castle on the  island’s north coast.

Duart Castle in Mull’s south east lies within easy reach of the main ferry port in Craignure. The seat of Clan Maclean, the castle doesn’t simply offer an interesting take on history as you walk between its historic walls, peek into dungeon cells, glimpse the centuries-old bedchambers, climb to the upper turrets and marvel at the grand banqueting hall.

Duart Castle also offers a look at the clan system in Scotland, which for many years governed life in the Highlands. To this day, Duart Castle remains the home of members of the Maclean family, while forming the ancestral home for many more.

Duart Castle is open during the main season for tours and is well worth a visit during your stay. There’s a great tea room for lunch afterwards, followed by a walk in the Millenium woods, too.

If you’d like to find out more about Mull’s history, read our guide to island history here.

2 Tartans and tweeds

Down in the island’s south west corner, tucked into the hillside above the sweeping sands of Ardalanish beach, lies Ardalanish Weavers. Here you’ll find fabrics that are quintessentially Scottish, as it’s here that talented craftsmen and women weave beautiful tweeds, tartans and woollen garments from the wool of native Hebridean and Shetland sheep. 

The creative team dye the wool using natural colourings from the flora around them. When visiting the weavers, you’ll often spot large glass jars sitting out packed full of colourful plants, producing the natural dyes. The looms themselves date back to the Victorian period, showing a true glimpse back in time, at how these durable and beautiful fabrics were made for many years in the wild and windswept Hebrides.

When visiting, you can take a tour of the weaving mill and perhaps even watch a demonstration or two. So from the raw fleece, to the natural dye extraction, to the weaving process and beyond, you can immerse yourself in the full creative process at the Isle of Mull Weavers. 

Finish up in the mill shop, where their beautiful garments, blankets and bothy rugs are available for sale, or for the creatives amongst you, perhaps be inspired to buy a ball of their spun wool for your own creations.

3 Water and whisky 

Just beside the river that tumbles down the hillside before meeting the sea in Tobermory Bay, you’ll find the Tobermory Distillery at the southern end of the harbourfront. The first whisky production began here in 1798 and continues to this day, with the distillery producing an impressive collection of single malts and more recently, adding a range of gins to the stills too.

The guided tour takes you through the entire whisky-making process, often with some great local history thrown in too. You’ll proceed through the production area, with the chance to see the enormous copper stills in action.

A highlight of the tour for many is moving through to the cask room, where filled barrels of whisky slowly mature, with the type of barrel used imparting a distinct flavour into the final spirit, too.

For those who choose to, the final part of the tour is a tasting in their dedicated tasting room. Enjoy a dram or two and discover the difference in flavour between the light Tobermory whisky, compared to the smoky peated Ledaig.

The tradition of whisky making (and drinking!) in Scotland traces back as early even as 1500 and remains popular among locals and visitors alike to this day.

Feeling inspired for your visit to Mull? Delve into these eight island traditions to experience when you visit Mull and then choose your island holiday cottage.

Undoubtedly Mull’s most famous beach, Calgary Bay glistens with turquoise waters lapping gently ashore against a horseshoe of white shell-sand. Backed by machair, which puts on a stunning floral show in season, and cocooned between towering headlands to either side, it’s easy to see how Calgary Bay earned its popularity.

So, if you’re keen to visit and soak in the sights first-hand, here are seven things to do at Calgary Bay.

1 Explore Calgary Art in Nature Trail

If you start up the hill at Calgary gallery and café, there’s a fantastic trail that meanders all the way down to the beach. En route, you’ll discover all manner of unique art installations and sculptural creations lining the path down to the beach.

2 Enjoy an ice cream from the Boat Shed

A must for any beach trip, with a dash of Mull charm thrown in as you won’t be served from just any ice cream van, but from the boat shed – a quirky building beside the carpark, with drinks on offer too.

3 Beach-comb for tide-tossed treasures

The waves at Calgary Bay are generally fairly gentle, as the bay is nicely sheltered, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find some gems! Shells decorate the white sand, along with interesting seaweeds, driftwood and more. What will you find?

4 Brave a wild swim

Brace yourselves for a dip in the cool, clear waters and enjoy a wild swim at Calgary Bay – often with teeny tiny fish darting around with you!

5 Go rock pooling

Nets at the ready! At the ends of the beach, there are some great rocky areas that flood with the tide to form pools. Well worth a peek to see what critters you might find, or simply to enjoy a splash about!

6 Hike to Caliach Point

To the north side of the bay, a path leads along the top of the beach and out to an old granite pier, before steeply ascending to the headland above. From here, you can hike out along the tops, soaking up sensational coastal views, all the way to Cailach Point, passing abandoned villages, rugged cliffs and spotting the islands of Coll and Tiree in the distance.

7 Enjoy coffee at the café

After a day of fun at Calgary Bay, warm up with a cup of coffee, piece of cake or light lunch at the lovely Calgary Café, just up the hill. Sit inside or out and with plenty of parking, this is the perfect spot to refuel!

Calgary Bay isn’t Mull’s only island beach though. Along our 300 miles of coastline, there are many more to discover. We bring you a local’s guide to some of the most spectacular in our guide to Isle of Mull beaches.

The Hebrides may be a wild and beautiful place, but that needn’t come at a compromise when it comes to luxury too. For those seeking to treat themselves, here are five luxury experiences to enjoy while on Mull, from those that take you into Mull’s remotest corners and waters, to those that bring the magic of Mull to you.

Dine with a difference

No guide to luxury experiences on Mull would be complete without covering the foodie scene! Mull punches well above its weight for gastronomic delight, with local chefs serving up the freshest seafood, landed that day by a local fishing boat, amid menus that major on island ingredients, from wildflower-infused desserts to croft-raised Highland beef.

So where to sample the finest of island feasts? Epicureans will be in their element at fine dining restaurant, An Cala Cuin in Tobermory, Ar Bord in Dervaig or Ninth Wave in Fionnphort. It is essential to book well in advance. Or, for the luxury experience to enjoy at your homestay instead, don’t miss Hebridean Lodge, where you can order three delicious courses to take home and warm up when you’re ready.

Bespoke guiding

Whether you’re seeking one-to-one guiding to maximise your chances of wildlife encounters with a target species, a photography expert to help you capture high quality images, or an angling aficionado to help you secure the biggest catch of the day, Mull has a range of high quality guides who offer bespoke services to suit your requirements.

Private charters

Some of Mull’s most popular boat excursions – including the famous Mull Charters sea eagle trip – can be booked for exclusive use. Not forgetting the whisky and gin-tasting experiences offered by Tobermory Bay Tours, too!

There are also several operators catering solely to exclusive-use clients, whether you want to set sail on a traditional sailing boat with Alternative Boat Hire, or hit the waves and discover Mull from the water with Coastal Connection.

Exclusive access

Adventure needn’t come at the cost of a high quality experience, and this is just one great example where Mull delivers in spades! Picture wild swimming in a crystal-clear, deserted sandy bay. In the crisp and cold waters at the foot of a glittering waterfall. Or in a naturally formed plunge pool, miles from the nearest road.

An experienced local guide can open the door to these incredible opportunities well off the beaten track. Walk Mull offers bespoke guided hikes to some incredible wild swimming spots, tailored to your requirements.

And relax…

It would be amiss not to mention the spa facilities on the island when diving into all-things luxury experiences on Mull. Conveniently located in the south east of the island, the Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa promises a range of experiences for non-residents, from full day pampering to hot stone massages and more. The perfect treat after a challenging hike, or before embarking on the long journey home.

With these luxury experiences on Mull to inspire you, it’s time to book your luxury homestay to match. Delve into our hand-picked range of high quality island properties to find your cottage today. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call and we can create a personal shortlist of cottages to consider, tailored to your unique requirements.

As the air turns crisper, smoke curls from the chimney tops and russet leaves crunch beneath our feet, autumn makes its presence known on Mull. It’s a beautiful season indoors and out, with the red deer rut a wildlife highlight.

But, for the inevitable dreicher days, it’s great to have something to look forward to indoors, too. When better to explore the two Isle of Mull distilleries, one with a history of over 200 years, the other only a few years old!

Tobermory Distillery

Found on the edge of the harbourfront, conveniently just beside the Ledaig carpark, Tobermory Distillery is a must-visit during your stay. The distillery first opened in 1798 and made its name producing excellent single-malt whisky.

If you enjoy the smoky flavours of a peated whisky, then the Ledaig will win your vote, or for a lighter flavour, the Tobermory is the tipple to try. More recently, the distillery added a great range of small-batch gins to their offering, too.

Visit the Tobermory Distillery for a tour and tasting to see the whisky in production, from the huge copper stills to the casks the whisky matures in. You’ll enjoy an expert-led tour through the entire production process and see spirits being made to this day here in the heart of Tobermory.

After an informative introduction to the whisky making process and history of whisky production at the Tobermory Distillery, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the distillery, taking in the mash tuns, the copper stills, the maturing whiskies cocooned in their casks, and understand more about the processes behind Tobermory Distillery’s unique whiskies and their flavours.

For those who choose it, the tour concludes in the tasting room, which comes highly recommended! Here, you’ll sample drams from some of the Tobermory distillery favourites. Afterwards, in the gift shop, you can pick up a branded whisky glass to take home from your travels and perhaps even a bottle or two! The team will be able to talk you through which bottles and ages of whisky will be the best choice for you.

There’s also the option to book a gin tasting, too!

Isle of Mull Spirit

If you’ve been for lunch at the Glass Barn or perhaps enjoyed some hearty Isle of Mull cheese, then you’ve already discovered a slice of the gastronomic delight awaiting at Sgiobruadh Farm, just outside Tobermory.

In recent years, they have added Isle of Mull Spirit to their diverse offering at the farm, producing unique spirits from whey leftover as a byproduct of their cheesemaking process, so nothing goes to waste.

The result is a collection of creative spirits, from the Coo J’n gin to the Cheesemaker’s Strength vodka. Book a farm tour to see the full farm in motion, wandering the cellars among ageing cheese rounds, exploring the garden bursting with botanicals, watching a cheesemaking demonstration and tasting the cheese and spirits that reward their efforts.

With farm animals to meet too, this one’s a great choice for every generation.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to Isle of Mull distilleries. Discover more ideas for things to do when you visit the island with our local’s guide, or try our themed island itineraries.

What to expect from Isle of Mull weather when you come to stay? Quite possibly the million dollar question for many visitors to the island, along with the midge forecast! So, just what can you expect from Isle of Mull weather in each season?

Spring

Spring tends to bring a more mixed picture of Isle of Mull weather. Expect a fast-changing array of wind, showers and sunshine and often, a lot of rainbows! As the island wakes up after winter, the changing light and lengthening days sees the natural world spring back to life with spectacular bluebell and early wildflower displays.

Summer

May and June generally see the best of the bright weather on the island, but that’s not to say you won’t find a wet day, nor to say that July and August will be a wash out!

While there are no guarantees, the summer months tend to offer the best chances of drier and more settled conditions, but it’s still best to come prepared for all possibilities. It’s not unusual to hear locals say to expect all four seasons in a single day!

Autumn

Autumn can be a magical season here on the island. The roar of rutting stags carries on the wind and echoes through the glens, as the red deer descend from the higher summer grazing to more sheltered lowlands and the rut begins.

It’s a time of change for the weather too, with the days slowly drawing in and a higher likelihood of some wind and rain. The silver lining is that the waterfalls will often be flowing in full spate, making for some spectacular sights exploring the island as the bracken-covered hillsides turn copper and gold.

Winter

Winter is the season to coorie up in a cosy cottage and immerse yourself in Highland hospitality. A wee dram of the local malt by the fire to warm the wilder nights, and in clear skies, excellent opportunities to stargaze and – if you’re lucky – spot the Northern Lights.

There’s a good chance of some wild weather this season. But, the earlier arrival of sunset and later return of sunrise offer some brilliant photography opportunities amid rapidly changing skies, light and weather conditions.

What about the midges on Mull?

If you’re keen to avoid the midges altogether, then a winter break or visit early in the season (April or early May) will give you the best chances. Midges become more present on the island through the summer and autumn, although generally not in the big clouds you’ll find in the Highlands!

As so much of the island is coastal, there’s usually a breeze that keeps the midges at bay. You’ll notice them more in very still conditions and particularly in land, in woodland or by bodies of water, so plan your activities accordingly. A bottle of Smidge and a net if you’re worried should keep you right.

Whatever your choice of season, find your cottage and start planning your next adventure on Mull.

In this month’s blog, we’re whetting your appetites with all-things island-grown, with a focus on our fabulous local producers and where to find them during your stay.

Isle of Mull Cheese Farm Shop

A farm shop where you can mix and match shopping with lunch! Indulge in the Glass Barn café, a beautiful setting filled with vines, then wander on through to the rustic chic style farm shop. From cheddar to blues, get your cheese fix here, along with Island Bakery biscuits, gin made from whey in the Sgiob-ruadh Distillery and an ever-changing selection of farm-reared meat too.

Tobermory Fish Co

At the top of town with easy parking at Baliscate, the Tobermory Fish Co awaits to meet your seafood needs. From the catch of the day to mussels and langoustines, to their excellent hot and cold smoked salmons, you won’t be disappointed!

The Tobermory Stores

Tucked at the top of the Main Street, a visit to Tobermory Stores is a must – particularly at lunchtime, when you can combine your shopping with a delicious, freshly-prepared toastie. Expect to find locally grown fruit and vegetables in season from Glengorm Gardens, along with a great selection of island-produced meat and cheese in the fridges too.

Island Meats

Based at Nonhebel Park just outside Tobermory, Island Meats are open a select few days each week and are the closest thing to a butcher’s shop here on Mull. Call in during open hours for a great range of local meat and game from the estates, crofts and hill farms of Mull, plus excellent advice for how best to cook them!

Inverlussa Mussels

Keep an eye out for the roadside sign indicating the honesty box of mussels is full! Have a bag of ice ready and pick up some of the best mussels you’ll taste, farmed in the waters of Loch Spelve just across the road.

Old Post Office

Now in the timber-clad, red-roofed building by the shore of Lochbuie, the Old Post Office café also keeps a couple of fridges stocked with seasonal produce from the Lochbuie Estate, as well as their home-cooked ready meals. A great way to discover local flavours and ingredients, without doing the cooking yourself!

Lazy Cow Café and Farm Shop

The Ross of Mull has strong crofting roots and the Lazy Cow café, just by the Kintra road end near Fionnphort, brings this to the fore. Enjoy lunch or cake in the barn café, then browse the fridges for some croft-grown produce to inspire your evening meal.

Producer’s Markets

Tobermory has a weekly Producer’s Market on a Monday during the main season, held by the pontoons on the harbourfront, or inside in the Aros Hall during inclement weather.

You’ll find a great range of local vendors here, with a changing selection that features, locally raised meat and produce, honey, fruit and vegetables, fish and seafood, home baking, sourdough bread and more.

Keep an eye out for the monthly market in Craignure Village Hall too.

For more ideas for places to eat and shops to sample, find out more about eating out on the Isle of Mull.

Inspired by questions we’ve had from guests so far this season, this month we want to bring you a round-up of some of the prettiest Isle of Mull river walks. 

Mull may have lochs and coastline aplenty, but it’s home to some stunning rivers and watercourses too, through open glen, dappled woodland and some peppered with cascading falls and pools too. 

So, we hope you enjoy our pick of five Isle of Mull river walks and perhaps feel inspired to try one when you next come to stay. Off we go!

1 River Lussa, Ardura

This one would be our pick among the prettiest Isle of Mull river walks that are also very straight forward too. Parking at the signed carpark just past the Lochbuie junction, pick up the easy gravel trail and you’ll soon find yourself wandering along the pretty river bank amid the oak woodland.

This walk is especially pretty in spring with wildflowers aplenty and gives a pleasing glimpse into regenerative tree planting of native species in the area too. Keep an eye out for the memorial for John Jones beside naturally formed-pedlar’s pool. 

This walk is a there-and-back route so you can venture as far as you fancy. Pressing on to the deer fence opens up fantastic views over the glen to the surrounding mountains, including Ben Talaidh.

2 Aros River, near Salen

Parking at the carpark just beyond the Aros Forestry Commission office just north of Salen Bay, this easy river walk begins. 

A straightforward gravel track leads you through a couple of gates with views across grassy hillside and forestry uphill, with the river flowing downhill to the other side of the track, coming in and out of view as the track meanders. 

Follow the track all the way to the wooden bridge for a lovely vista over the river looking both up and downstream.

3 Scallastle River, near Craignure

This one’s for the more adventurous walkers, with some hills involved. But the fantastic river and waterfalls more than make up for the effort required! Beginning from the signposted parking area just north of Craignure, begin uphill along a gravel track until you meet the Scallastle River, crossing a bridge here.

From here, the path narrows and climbs more steeply, following the river uphill and taking in some stunning waterfalls. The loop descends to rejoin the larger gravel track, where you then retrace your steps downhill, with lovely sea views over Loch Linnhe and the Sound of Mull.

4 River Forsa, Glenforsa

Just off the main road up the island’s east coast, there’s a designated parking area for walkers keen to set off into Glen Forsa, roamed by resident Highland cattle. A gravel forestry track leads you into the glen, offering spectacular mountain views and a good chance of spotting some of Mull’s big five wildlife.

A couple of kilometres into the glen, you can peel off the track to join the riverside. The return then follows the riverbank for the majority of the way, offering very peaceful views. Lovely at any time of the year, but particularly spectacular in a very cold spell when the river has been known to freeze, sometimes creating amazing ice formations.

5 Aros Park Upper and Lower Falls, Tobermory

This Isle of Mull river walk is easily reached from the island’s harbour town of Tobermory, either on foot following the scenic coastal path that leads to the foot of the Lower Falls, or by car, turning off the main road to Aros Park.

A series of pretty trails meander the hillside, looping from the main car park round to the Lower Falls before following their cascading path upstream. Here, the trail meets the entrance road and bridge, before crossing to continue steeply uphill to take in the dramatic Upper Falls too.

Find more walking routes to explore on Mull with our local’s guide including route maps.

There’s a brilliant chance of seeing Mull’s majestic wildlife wherever you are on the island. From popular areas for wildlife watching, like the Scenic Route along Loch na Keal, to more unexpected and even ‘urban’ locations – white-tailed sea eagles have soared over the bustling Tobermory harbourfront on more than one occasion before!

But for the keen wildlife photographer, some of our cottages will stand out in particular. Here’s our hand-picked selection of Isle of Mull cottages, perfect for wildlife photographers, based on local knowledge and what guests who’ve stayed tell us too. We hope it inspires you.

Auchnacraig Lodge

Red deer will virtually come to you at the gorgeous Auchnacraig Lodge, where the red deer often graze the surrounding fields, giving you superb views. It’s an amazing place to base yourself during the rut in the autumn, too! Being not far from the coast and Grasspoint pier, you’ve also got excellent chances to spot Mull’s creatures of the deep and otters too.

Old School House

A perennially popular cottage, not only with wildlife photographers but anyone keen to experience Mull’s wild side from a stunning sea view cottage. The Old School House at Croggan delivers at every turn, with mountain, sea and woodland views, a beach in walking distance, and a habitat for just about all of Mull’s big five – from eagles to otters and more.

Coorie Doon

A luxe hideaway near Gruline, Coorie Doon is the perfect spot to see fallow deer, which often come to graze the surrounding pastures as they pop out of nearby woodland. You’re close to Loch Ba and Loch na Keal too, offering yet more opportunity to experience Mull’s wildlife highlights.

Achnacraig

Nestled in Glen Bellart with river, woodland, moorland and open hill country as far as the eye can see, and the tidal sea loch only 10 minutes distant, Achnacraig offers all manner of wildlife habitats on the doorstep. Venture out for a walk at dusk and keep your eyes and ears peeled for owls and scan the hillsides for quartering birds of prey.

The Old Church

With the loch shore at the bottom of the garden, you could say The Old Church brings the wildlife to you! Watch the shoreline for otters that may be working the tides and passing seals that are often as curious about you as you are of them. On a very lucky day, you might even spot a pod of dolphins exploring the loch. With views to Ben More on the opposite shore, you’ll have plenty to inspire when picking up the camera.

If you’ve got a particular habitat in mind, you can search by map here to find an ideally located cottage. Wherever you venture and whatever wildlife you hope to see, please remember to do so responsibly, from a distance, and avoiding disturbance. Have a wonderful time discovering the wilds of Mull. Book your cottage today.

Visitors to Mull often have Tobermory, the island’s harbour capital, high on the list for places to visit. But once you’ve combed the Main Street and enjoyed a coffee, what to do next? 

We’ve put together a guide to 5 stunning Tobermory walks, from coastal paths to waterfall trails, hill climbs to lochside ambles, to guide you.

Aros Park Lochan and Waterfalls

Aros Park makes a great destination whether you’ve got time for a quick leg stretch or a longer amble. 

The easy-going trail around the lochan takes only 30 minutes to complete, with lovely views over the lily pads and plenty of birdlife to see. Extend the trail by climbing the steep steps up by the abandoned power house and waterfall, which once generated power for the now long-gone Aros House. 

Extend your adventure yet further by also exploring the trails that lead along the lower falls, offering beautiful views at one end of the bay and back to Tobermory, and at the other to the dramatic upper falls as they thunder down the hillside.

Coastal Path from Tobermory Harbour to Aros Park

Starting from the Ledaig carpark at one end of Tobermory’s harbourfront, the path sets off along the coastline. Narrow in places and with steep drops down to the sea, the route hugs the coast and brings you all the way round to the beautiful Aros Park. 

You’ll enjoy lovely views across the water to Tobermory’s brightly painted harbourfront. There are some very impressive old cedar trees along the way too, as well as gently cascading streams and bridges, before delivering you to the foot of the lower Aros falls. From here, you can easily extend the walk by picking up one of the many trails around Aros Park.

Tobermory Harbour to Rubh nan Gall Lighthouse

Rubh nan Gall Lighthouse is on most visitors’ to Tobermory’s to-visit list and for good reason. Fortunately, from the CalMac pier end of the harbourfront, a path leads you all the way there and back again. With woodland to either side, the path traces the edge of a steep hillside with views to the water below.

Keep an eye out for otters and seals along the coastline. For the botanists among us, this pathway is laden with wildflowers during the season too, from wild garlic and bluebells in early spring to water avens and more later in the year. 

There are several benches from which to pause and soak up the views and, as you near the lighthouse, superb views over to the Ardnamurchan peninsula too.

Ardmore Point

Venturing a few minutes out of Tobermory on the road to Glengorm by car, you’ll reach the first of two parking areas signposted for Ardmore. Park at the first and then follow the main track as it leads seawards and gradually downhill.

As you descend, you’ll reach a signposted junction indicating footpaths to the shore, to Ardmore Point and onwards round to Glengorm. 

You’ll arrive at the ruins of Penalbanach village, where you can follow the path to visit the point, the most north-easterly part of Mull, or continue down to loop around the shore of Ardmore Bay instead.

Crater Loch

Although not technically in the town, this route had to make it into our round-up of Tobermory walks and is very popular with locals and visitors alike. 

Parking in the bays just off the road along the Mishnish Lochs, follow the signs to the gate that marks the start of the trodden path up to the Crater Loch, officially known as Lochan S’Airde Beinn. 

This is a short, steep walk over often soggy ground, so bring your waterproofs and good boots. The reward for your efforts though are superb views across North Mull’s hills and out to sea. Not forgetting the ‘crater loch’ itself, which only comes into view as you reach the top.

The descent of this walk makes for beautiful viewing too, with views over the three Mishnish Lochs and on to Speinne Mor, North Mull’s highest point. There’s a great chance of seeing some fantastic wildlife in these parts too.

If you’re feeling inspired by these Tobermory walks, find plenty more inspiration in all corners of the island in our guide to walks on the Isle of Mull.

Join us as we navigate the north, south, east and west corners of the island with these five fantastic coastal walks on the Isle of Mull. With options for all abilities, from gentle strolls to sand bar crossings, find a route to add to your holiday itinerary this year.

1 Rubh nan Gall Lighthouse from Tobermory

One of Tobermory’s most popular walks, and it’s easy to see why! Commonly referred to as the ‘Tobermory lighthouse’, it’s name is actually Rubh nan Gall and this there-and-back walk makes a perfect addition to a day in the island capital. 

Starting from the CalMac pier end of the Main Street, pass through the small gate and pick up the narrow path heading to the lighthouse. The path leads through steep-sided woodland with lovely views to the water below and there are a couple of benches along the way to pause and take in the view.

As you near the end of the path, the lighthouse will appear in front of you. Take your time enjoying the view and watching for seals that are often spotted in the area, before retracing your steps to the harbour.

2 Aros Castle and river estuary

This lovely walk lies along the island’s east coast and, being shorter in length, is easily squeezed into an action-packed day. Starting by the old stone bridge over the River Aros, follow the gravel track around past the traditional stone cottages and around the headland. There are superb views to enjoy at every tidal range and lots of visiting birdlife. 

As you round the corner of the headland, look up to the towering remains of the 16^th century ruin of Aros Castle. This area is covered in bluebells in the springtime. 

You can either enjoy this as a short there-and-back stroll to the castle, or make it circular returning along the single-track road with care. To do so, as the track continues on, take a left turning into the woodland to climb uphill, passing a few more houses and follow the lane to rejoin the main road, turning left to return to your start at Aros bridge.

3 Lochbuie to Laggan Sands

Parking on the seafront in Lochbuie, pick up a coffee from the Lochbuie Larder and a piece of cake to enjoy on the beach. Then follow the track that leads east past the church and onwards along the coast. 

You’ll pass rocky coastline, pockets of sandy beaches at different tides and the dramatic ruins of Moy Castle as you go. The track then hugs dramatic rockfaces as it rounds the final few bends to deliver you to the beach at Laggan Sands below.

There are often fallow deer to spot en route and Highland coos roaming the beach. At the far end, there is also an interesting mausoleum to visit too.

4 Knockvologan to Erraid

This walk is located in the island’s south west, just about as far as you can venture by car! Parking by the beach at Knockvologan – a beautiful shell-sand beach interspersed by pink granite outcrops – at a low tide a sandbar is exposed, connecting the beach to the tidal Isle of Erraid. 

Adventurous souls will enjoy the walk across to explore this tiny island, with the old lighthouse keepers’ cottages still occupied today. Once on Erraid, a variety of tracks traverse the island, with points of interest including the old lighthouse observatory, which is no longer in use, and the beautiful Traigh Gheal sandy beach. 

Just remember to pay attention to the tides and check tide times before you cross over, to ensure you have ample time to also make the crossing back before the high tide once again cuts Erraid off from Mull.

5 Calgary to Caliach Point

No guide to coastal walks on the Isle of Mull would be complete without a mention of Mull’s most popular beach – the beautiful horseshoe-shaped white sand of Calgary Bay. Aptly, this walk begins from this very beach, giving you the chance to enjoy the shell-sand from many vantage points en route.

Pick up the track that leads from the carpark end of the beach along the headland, which soon delivers you to an old stone pier. From here, the track cuts steeply uphill, climbing up onto the headland that you then follow round the coast. There are superb views back across Calgary Bay and for the adventurous, you can continue right out to the headland at Cailach Point.

Discover more route maps and walk ideas in our guide to walks on the island and book your cottage today.