Picture Mull in the winter: vast open landscapes, dramatic winds and rushing rivers, and – come nightfall – wonderfully dark skies. On a clear night, the magic of the island in winter comes alive with superb views of starry skies and, on the luckiest occasions when the right conditions arise, the dance of the Northern Lights too. If you’ve fancied escaping to Mull in winter, here are five winter breaks hand-picked for stargazers. They’re all pet friendly, too!

Mucmara Lodge, Dervaig

Around a mile from the village centre in Dervaig and rubbing shoulders with the woodland of the Quinish Estate, Mucmara Lodge promises perfect dark sky conditions to enjoy the night-time wonders, whether a glimpse of the Northern Lights dancing, or constellation-spotting from the garden before returning to warm by the fire. Winter breaks at pet friendly Mucmara Lodge start from £935 per week.

Dobhran Croft, Lochbuie

Far from any light pollution a stone’s throw from the sea, Dobhran Croft is one of our most popular cottages for winter escapes. There are dark skies aplenty to enjoy in this remote location, shared only with a handful of other cottages, and on clear skies ample opportunity to enjoy them. To the north, when conditions allow, there’s even the chance to spot the Northern Lights dancing beyond the summit of Ben Buie for the luckiest visitors. Winter breaks at pet friendly Dobhran Croft start from only £95 per night.

Ardwhin Cottage, Lochdon

Nestled beside the shore of Loch Don in the tiny village that shares the loch’s name, Ardwhin Cottage offers stargazing opportunities aplenty. On clear nights, there’s the added bonus that the sparkling constellations above are reflected in the inky waters of the still loch – a magical sight, whether enjoyed outdoors or from the comfort of the conservatory. Winter breaks at pet friendly Ardwhin Cottage start from £695 per week.

Seabank, Tiroran

The final stone cottage in a small cluster along the shore of Kilfinichen Bay, Seabank promises stunning views southwards across Loch Scridain and towards the Ross of Mull peninsula beyond. In this remote and quiet corner of the island, dark skies come guaranteed, and Seabank’s cosy sitting areas and large windows make for perfect viewing. Winter breaks start from £695 per week at pet friendly Seabank.

Balmeanach Farmhouse, Loch na Keal

Cocooned between the Ardmeanach peninsula, Gribun cliffs and sea at Loch na Keal, Balmeanach Farmhouse certainly ticks the box for a remote yet luxurious base. With only a farm for neighbours, the nights feel truly dark, with wide open skies and clear views both to the north and the west. Winter breaks at pet friendly Balmeanach Farmhouse start from £1100 per week.

Feeling inspired to visit the Isle of Mull this Easter? You’re in luck, because for 2023 we still have a handful of gorgeous Easter holiday cottages on the Isle of Mull available over the first two weeks in April. Large houses, cosy cottages, pet friendly properties – read on to discover the perfect last minute holiday cottage on Mull for early April this year.

Pet friendly Willowbank (sleeps 6)

The perfect property for all the family, four-legged-friends included. Willowbank combines lovely modern interiors and appliances with ultra-cosy warm timber beams and a beautifully vaulted ceiling in the living room to create a real wow factor. Excellently located for access to quiet beaches, coastal walks and boat trips to Iona, Willowbank is perfect for those who love all-things outdoors.

Studio Apartment (sleeps 2)

A quaint gem close to the sea in the island’s south east, Studio Apartment sits in a pretty courtyard setting not far from Duart Castle and in some of the best wildlife country on the island. The perfect choice for birdwatchers and those who prefer to feel more remote, with the ease of a pub and shop just a few miles away.

Canna (sleeps 2)

Now reduced by £350 per week, snap up a bargain when you stay at luxury Tobermory cottage Canna this April. Soak up stunning harbour views over the bay to Calve Island and enjoy the island capital’s eateries, coastal walks and boat trips close by.

Pet friendly Gorsten House (sleeps 8)

Come and stay in the home of an artist, where the stunning sea views beyond the window are met with equally imaginative interiors within. A large homestay, Gorsten House is sure to impress, with acres of grounds to explore too.

Pet friendly Kilfinichen House (sleeps 8)

At once grand and yet cosy and inviting, Kilfinichen House sits at the heart of the Kilfinichen Estate with views over Loch Scridain and the surrounding countryside. A prime corner of the island for eagles, otters and abundant wildlife and with Ben More not far, this is the ultimate homestay for adventurers and wildlife lovers.

Don’t miss your chance to find Easter holiday cottages on the Isle of Mull this year. Check out our last minute offers for the latest cottage deals.

Where better to whisk family and friends for a truly magical Christmas one year than one of Tobermory’s finest homes? Oakfield House towers above the town with far reaching views across the Sound of Mull to Calve Island and the Ardnamurchan peninsula, the most westerly part of the Scottish mainland, beyond. And yet, Tobermory’s charming harbour, illuminated each night with reams of festive lights and the glow from the windows of the pubs and restaurants, lies only a short walk down the hill.

Oakfield House wows guests all year round with its spectacular interiors, which preserve the magic of this home’s impressive history, built in 1889 for Tobermory’s Lord Provost, while also providing for all the modern luxuries and conveniences a guest might wish for, with five spacious bedrooms, each served by a private bathroom, not one but two sitting rooms, a magnificent sea view dining room and an impeccably-appointed kitchen in which even the most indulgent of Christmas dinners can be catered for with ease.

Tastefully decorated to offer a wealth of festive cheer, Oakfield House promises a true home from home experience for your loved ones this Christmas. Make it yours this Christmas.

Gone are the days when eco friendly holiday cottages meant compromising on comfort and luxury. Quite the opposite, in fact, with modern day technology promising a five-star experience without the carbon footprint. So, if you’re keen to visit the island and do your bit for the planet too, which eco friendly holiday cottages could you choose? Read on and find the perfect bolthole for you.

1 Torr na Locha, Ardtun

Located on a working croft in the rural south west of the island, Torr na Locha is arguably one of the most eco friendly holiday cottages you’ll find on Mull. This characterful stone building uses local timber that would be unsuitable for structural use to fuel the wood burning stove and back boiler, sources its electricity through a supplier that specialises in renewables and tops it up with a solar array that generated 3,650KW in 2022.

Venturing outside the cottage, there’s yet more to appreciate. Tree planting on the croft to support and sustain the temperate ancient Atlantic rainforest of oak, birch, aspen and willow contributes to carbon capture, while the active peatlands to the front of the house have the potential to store 500 times more carbon each year than using the cottage demands.

2 Dragonsfly Rest, Bunessan

Perched above the bay of Loch na Lathaich in the Ross of Mull village of Bunessan, Dragonsfly Rest combines welcoming interiors with eco-conscious additions, like the heating. Warmed by the sun through solar panels in tandem with the wood burning stove that together heat the radiators, guests will feel cosy year-round.

3 Mor Aoibhneas, Bunessan

Making the most of mix-and-match technologies, Mor Aoibhneas uses an air source heat pump to warm its dramatic double-height ground floor living area with cosy underfloor heating. And outside, there’s an electric vehicle charging point to enable you to explore the island with ease, with plans for this to be fully solar powered by summer 2023 too.

Book your holiday cottage on Mull.

Mor Aoibhneas, Bunessan

The most recent addition to the Isle of Mull Cottages range is Mor Aoibhneas (pronounced More Eve-ness). And if you’re wondering what the name of this seriously special homestay for eight means, it translates from Gaelic as ‘Great Joy’. When you turn the key, step inside and relax into this gorgeously designed home for the week, we guarantee that’s exactly what you’ll feel…

Maple Cottage, Kintra

This one’s for those seeking that magical, picture-postcard spot that hasn’t yet been discovered by many. Kintra, tucked away a few miles from Fionnphort on the far south westerly peninsula of Mull, is where you’ll find Maple Cottage, standing sleepily a stone’s throw from the sea, with gorgeous tiny islands in view. Welcoming up to five guests, you’ll soon find yourselves relaxing beside the wood burning stove as you sift through the day’s beachcombed treasures.

Shore Croft, Uisken Beach

This is a cottage that has oodles of atmosphere, whether the skies are clear and the sea is twinkling an irresistible turquoise tone, or the clouds hug the headlands and white horses sweep in up the beach. Cocooned within centuries-old stone walls, you’ll feel truly rested and totally snug at Shore Croft whatever the Hebridean weather brings, with the beach on the doorstep for a lazy stroll in the sunshine or a bracing dash in the showers.

The Whisky Rooms, Tobermory

A chic and contemporary harbourside pad in the island’s vibrant town of Tobermory. Perfect for couple’s wishing to tick off adventure-seeking boat trips to Staffa and the Treshnish Isles, bucket list walks to Rubh nan Gall lighthouse and the freshest seafood from pier to plate, perhaps even a sunset gin cruise around Calve Island. It’s all on your doorstep at The Whisky Rooms.

Mucmara Lodge, Dervaig

Luxury on the edge of the wild, Mucmara Lodge beckons with sumptuously modern interiors and a second-to-none location above Loch Cuin, beside the Quinish Estate and with its own private loch in the grounds! The perfect base for outdoorsy friends or families keen to take on the island’s hiking trails, biking routes and wildlife spotting opportunities, plus you can bring your pets too!

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Tempted to spend Christmas on Mull but not sure where to start? Plan the perfect festive getaway, whether for all the clan or just for two, with our top tips.

Christmas lights along Tobermory harbour

Island fare

One of the most anticipated parts of any Christmas celebration is dinner, whether you enjoy it at lunchtime, teatime or any hour in between. And on Mull, we’ve got some of the most irresistible island-produced ingredients to elevate it to a feast.

Think locally caught shellfish starters or Inverlussa mussels cooked deliciously with garlic and a splash of white wine. Then it’s onto the main course, where local flavours join the traditional roast turkey, with trimmings like venison or game pie and pigs in blankets from croft-produced pork.

For dessert, try a locally made Clootie dumpling or pick up a homemade Christmas cake. Add something savoury with Isle of Mull cheese and oatcakes.

Christmas at The Old Little Theatre

The Christmas spirit

The Scottish islands have a storied history when it comes to making whisky, with a whole host of secret stills and well-known distilleries. It is no different on the Isle of Mull. Explore the Tobermory Distillery with an expert guide, where whisky has been produced since 1798. To experience the other side, walk to the ‘whisky cave’ on the west coast. You can guess how it earned its name!

Then there is the recent taste for gin, which has gone up and up. You’ll find this trendy spirit being distilled and bottled on Mull now too. Call into the Whitetail Distillery at Tiroran to sample a tipple or two in their coffee shop, take a bottle back to your cottage and peek behind the scenes at the copper stills in action.

Holiday cottages for Christmas on Mull

Oakfield House

A grand Victorian house for 10 with some of the best sea views in all of Tobermory, Oakfield House was made for family get-togethers at Christmas.

Preparing Christmas dinner will be a breeze with an Everhot range cooker featuring not one but three ovens, as well as two large fridge freezers. And then there’s the dining room.  With a superb sea view and antique furniture fit for the most special occasions, dinner will be decadent.

Plates emptied and stomachs merry, it’s on to the two living rooms to relax beside the fire and get out the board games.

The Old Little Theatre

A Christmas bolthole for two. The Old Little Theatre oozes luxury and in the winter light, its dramatic interiors really come into their own. Light the fire, poor a dram and help yourself to a mince pie on Christmas Eve, then wake up on Christmas morning in a sumptuous sleigh bed, snuggled in faux fur throws. The stage is set for a magical Christmas.

Witch’s Cottage

Celebrate Christmas on Mull beside the sea at Witch’s Cottage. Escape it all for a week of pure relaxation walking the coastline and watching the wildlife from your window-side perch. Wander past the pier and out to the sandy beaches at Croig and you’ll almost certainly have them to yourselves!

Burn Cottage

Old meets new at Burn Cottage, bringing you an enchanting setting in the depths of winter, with all the convenience (and luxuries) of a contemporary property inside. Think a high-spec chef’s kitchen, perfect for Christmas dinner, as well as toasty underfloor heating to complement the wood-burning stove.

Dobhran Croft

Wake up on Christmas morning at a cosy cottage and perhaps even see deer in the garden! Spend Christmas on Mull at Dobhran Croft and follow stockings with a bracing beach walk from Lochbuie to Laggan Sands. Then return to the cottage to warm yourselves beside the fire and dig into an island-inspired feast!

Book your winter escape on the Isle of Mull today.

Sunrise light on Sgurr Dearg

The car is packed, picnic lunches are planned and you’re ready to set off on a family holiday on Mull. But just how do you make sure everyone has a great time? We talk you through our top tips…

Find a house for your family holiday

Whether your family is big or small, having plenty of space counts. Book a larger holiday home and you’ll have room to store toys, boots and outdoor kit galore, without any clutter.

If you’re a family of wildlife lovers or who adore sea views, then The Old Ferry House could be just the place for you.

For those who prefer privacy and seclusion, Craig Ben Lodge is an excellent choice. There’s a walled garden for the kids to run about and play and you look out over a loch – great for a swim on a warm day. For larger groups, you can also book Craig Ben Cottage, which is just next door.

If your heart is set on colourful Tobermory, the location where children’s TV show Balamory was filmed, make Carnanamish your base. This spacious holiday home has all the attractions a family could want within easy reach. Even better is the contemporary design that grown-ups will love too.

Plan an action-packed island itinerary

Whether it’s days out at the beach or exciting boat trips, there’s so much to do on a family holiday on Mull.

In Tobermory alone, you can take the family to explore the exhibits at Mull Museum, meet the island’s marine neighbours at the Mull Aquarium or simply build sandcastles on the beach. Should wet weather strike and you prefer to stay inside, the Rainydays play area will fast become a favourite. Discover more things to do on a rainy day.

For adventurous families, there’s the opportunity for wild swimming, rugged country walks and even scenic pony trekking. Find more ideas for your family holiday on Mull in our guide to things to do.

Make meal times memorable

One of the greatest benefits of booking a self-catering cottage for your family holiday on Mull is that you can dine in or out. Eating out every day with the whole family can become expensive and doesn’t always suit your different needs and routines.

Our holiday homes are maintained to beautiful standards, with well-equipped kitchens that make preparing food a pleasure. And if you want to eat at home but don’t fancy cooking, there’s the excellent Lochbuie Larder. Offering home-cooked ready meals delivered on Mull, they’re well worth treating yourselves to.

Celebrate Christmas on Mull

One of the most popular times to get together with family is the festive period. Many of our properties offer a magical base for your Christmas celebrations, complete with spectacular views, luxurious furnishings and some memorable island traditions.

If you can’t get away for Christmas itself, you could visit to see the Tobermory Christmas lights turned on. It’s a feel-good family event that usually takes place in November.

Start planning your family holiday on Mull today and browse our hand-picked holiday homes, perfect for families.

Whether you come for the wildlife, the untouched landscapes or the colorful charm of Tobermory, the first step to planning your holiday on Mull is to choose where on the island you actually want to stay.

From beaches to loch shores and remote retreats, there are many idyllic holiday cottages on Mull for you to make your base. And wherever you choose, the beauty of this island is that nowhere is out of reach. Hop in the car and the entire island is within reach (and a few others too, if you don’t mind swapping the car for a boat!).

Here, we share six of our favourite locations for holiday cottages on Mull to help you find the best one for you. And if you know what you want to see but not where to go to see it, get in touch with our family-run business to pick our brains for ten years’ worth of local knowledge. With an exclusive collection of over 80 cottages on the island, choose your destination and your perfect island getaway won’t be far away.

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One of the special things about being on an island is that sense of removal from the hustle and bustle of mainland life.  With water all around, the peace and quiet and breathtaking views can begin to work their magic!  We’ve put together a selection of our most remote holiday cottages on the Isle of Mull. These cottages offer guests a sense of total privacy and solitude in the most stunning of scenery.

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