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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
Just beside the fisherman’s pier you’ll find a small sandy beach, perfect for the dogs to have a paddle while you enjoy a picnic lunch on the sand, or a bite of fish and chips.
Enjoy a dram
With guided tours around Tobermory’s own distillery at the end of the harbour, followed by a tasting or two.
Tobermory Distillery
Jump aboard
With both Staffa Tours and Sealife Mull operating boat trips from the Tobermory pontoons out to sea, and the brilliant Tobermory Bay Tours offering hour-long scenic cruises, there are plenty of opportunities to experience Tobermory from the water.
Go fish!
At the catch-and-release aquarium, with lots of intriguing native creatures of the deep to encounter and touch pool sessions that younger visitors will love to get stuck into.
The Isle of Mull Aquarium in Tobermory
On the market
Mondays see the return of Tobermory’s take on a farmer’s market, with fresh produce, island meat and fish often available, as well as yummy treats cooked there and then and all manner of gifts and homewares crafted by local makers.
Step back in time
At the Mull Museum, open daily with just a donation required to come and have a look around. Trace your clan’s past, discover the history of Mull and see Tobermory through the centuries.
The Mull Museum is one of many attractions along the pretty Main Street in Tobermory
Culture fix
Venture up the hill to An Tobar to peruse the gallery and enjoy a coffee and cake, perhaps even returning later on to enjoy one of their regular musical and theatrical events.
Raise a glass
Of Tobermory’s own craft beer, brewed on the Main Street at ToBEERmory.
Walk on the wild side
Start your day bright and early and set out with a local wildlife guide, with tours departing from Tobermory to cover all corners of the island and give you great chances of meeting its famed wildlife.
Retail therapy
From locally made soap and pampering bath products, to artefacts made from antler, pretty pottery and even jewellery too, the Main Street offers a wealth of choice from local, independent purveyors.
You’ll often hear Mull referred to as ‘eagle island’ and with good reason! The island is home to thriving populations of both the white-tailed sea eagle and the majestic golden eagle. So, if you’re hoping to encounter eagles on the Isle of Mull, here are five different ways to do it.
From the water
The ever popular boat trip aboard the Lady Jane with Mull Charters offers you the chance to see white-tailed sea eagles up close. Throwing freshy caught fish from the boat, the lucky passengers may see the eagles swoop in to clasp the fish between their talons from the water.
The sound of their wingbeats and sheer size of the eagles encountered at such close quarters makes this an unmissable way to experience eagles on the Isle of Mull.
On land
For those who prefer to keep their feet on terra firma, a land-based wildlife tour should be your first port of call. Local guides know the routines of these majestic birds well and will give you ample opportunity to encounter them during a day’s exploration of the island, whether perched, on the wing or even grappling another eagle in a dramatic descent! They’ll also give you lots of ideas for where to go to improve your chances of seeing eagles on the Isle of Mull during the rest of your stay.
In breeding season
Each year once the white-tailed eagles begin to nest, Mull Eagle Watch opens its doors with guided walks to find out more about the birds and watch the activity on the nest from a responsible distance.
High in the hills
Adventurous souls will often have little trouble encountering eagles on the Isle of Mull. As you climb Mull’s quieter hills and peaks, you’ll often be passing through the large habitats of the more elusive golden eagles, so remember to cast your eyes to the skies for the chance of a sighting. You can find lots of ideas for walking routes on the island (complete with OS maps) in our guide here.
Close to sea level
It will come as little surprise that the white-tailed sea eagles often appear around Mull’s sea lochs. Whether you hunker down in the wildlife hide at Fishnish or spend the day scouting the shores of the island’s west coast, you’re likely to encounter a sea eagle. In the winter, as juveniles have fledged, you may also be lucky enough to see a number gathered together – a spectacular sight for those enjoying a winter break on Mull.
Find out more about the fantastic wildlife and eagles on the Isle of Mull and plan your holiday this year.
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.
If you’re visiting Mull in our quieter winter months, then you’ve got lots to look forward to. The island’s wildlife highlights will wow year-round, there’ll be snow topping the hills, and, if luck is on your side, you might even be treated to a display of the Northern Lights.
But the island doesn’t simply go to sleep in our quiet season. There’s still plenty to see and do and in this blog, we’ll bring together some of the fabulous festive events you could look forward to on your visit.
Northern Lights seen from Mull on a lucky night.
Christmas Lights
There are two big switch-on events on the island when the local area is first lit up in twinkling festive lights, one in the north and one in the south.
If you’re staying near Tobermory, then head down to the harbourfront on Saturday 26th November to see the lights switched on by the clock tower at 7pm. The shops will be open late, serving festive fayre and mulled wine as you browse for Christmas gifts.
For guests in the south of the island, Saturday 3rd December is the night to remember. Visit the village of Bunessan on Loch na Lathaich and see the Christmas lights illuminated, browse festive stalls, listen to the pipers and carol singers and then soak up the fireworks display!
Tobermory Christmas Lights reflected in the bay.
Christmas Markets
Christmas Markets are a hallmark of the run-up to Christmas on Mull, with fairs taking place in all corners of the island, packed with creative crafts, local produce and fabulously festive food and drink. Take your pick from the Christmas Fayre Extraordinaire in Tobermory, Dervaig Does Christmas and the Salen Christmas Fayre. Find the full details on our events page.
Hogmanay
Usually seen in with fireworks from the harbourfront in Tobermory, Hogmanay is one of Scotland’s most celebrated traditions as we welcome in the New Year. There’ll be plenty of venues to eat, drink and be merry on the island, with many restaurants and hotels offering a special menu for the occasion.
See in the New Year from Tobermory’s harbourfront.
Burns Night
A date to look forward to for guests visiting this January, Burns Night celebrates Scottish poet Robert Burns on the 25th January each year. The traditional menu features haggis, neeps and tatties, accompanied by a wee dram or two, and entertainment in the form of a toast to the haggis, a toast to the lads and a toast to the lassies. Keep an eye out for Burns Night-inspired menus in the local pubs and restaurants.
Escape to Fisherman’s Bothy from only £425 per week this winter.
Winter Breaks on Mull
Fancy visiting Mull this winter? It’s not too late to book a cottage and take advantage of our great value winter breaks with short stays available too.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mor Aoibhneas, a purpose-built homestay for up to eight guests with views to the Ardmeanach peninsula and the sea.
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 (the third from the left) sits on a stunning yet little-known corner of the Ross of Mull’s coast at Kintra.
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 sits just above Uisken beach, promising the perfect haven for those wishing to indulge in some vitamin sea.
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 has a prime location on Tobermory’s harbourfront, with eateries, boat trips and more quite literally on the doorstep.
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 is a pet friendly property for six on the edge of the village of Dervaig, beside the Quinish Estate.
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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If you’re thinking of visiting Mull for the very first time, here are five useful things to know before you visit the island to make the most of your stay in the Hebrides.
The most popular route is from Oban on the mainland to Craignure on Mull
There’s more than one way to get here
The CalMac Oban (mainland) to Craignure (Mull) route may prove the most popular, but the island is actually serviced by two further ferries. Continue north on the mainland through beautiful Glen Coe, hop on the quick Corran ferry and then enjoy the scenic drive to Lochaline, where you’ll find another ferry service ready to deliver you to Fishnish on Mull. Further north yet still, on the rugged Ardnamurchan peninsula, is the third ferry service to the island, connecting Kilchoan to Tobermory on Mull.
Sea eagle dives for fish
Wildlife season never ends
While the most popular time to visit Mull is between April and October, Mull’s most dreamed of wildlife can be found here all year round. In the winter months, the young white-tailed eagles will often have left their parent’s territories and can sometimes be seen gathered in large numbers on the shore or skerries. Golden eagles, otters and red deer are here year-round too, with the latter often more easily seen as they descend the hills in favour of lower ground as winter arrives.
The single track road from Dervaig to Tobermory, looking out towards Loch Frisa
Taking the scenic route
There’s only two stretches of double track road on Mull, with the vast majority of drives spent exploring the island’s single track roads sitting quietly within dramatic landscapes. The road trips will be breath taking and you’ll soon get used to this style of driving, pulling into passing places to let traffic past and remembering to let vehicles behind you by to overtake if you want to slow down and enjoy the views.
Honesty box oysters are available from Croig pier in season
There’s loads of local produce to try
With wonderfully fresh and local produce, from seafood and shellfish to seasonal veg and sensational cakes. We’ve included a guide to help you eat your way around the island’s local growers, producers and restaurants here. The Mull and Iona Food Trail will offer plenty to add to the menu, too.
Looking back to the mainland from Gorsten House
Mull is closer than you think
The image of a Hebridean island can feel miles away from mainland living. And the character of the island is certainly unique, but it’s more accessible than you might think. In fact, you can see the Morvern hills on the mainland from Mull’s east coast, the Nevis range on a clear day from the south east, and the most westerly Ardnamurchan peninsula from the north. The ferry can be as quick as 20 minutes travelling from Lochaline, but even from Oban it’s just a short 50-minute crossing.
As you disembark the ferry in Craignure and make your way to your holiday cottage of choice, the coast never feels far. Sea views appear at seemingly every turn along many stretches of road, with the water revealing itself as you clear the canopy of woodland or crest the brow of a hill. So, how can you make the most of the waters and wildlife around Mull on your next stay? Read on to find out more about six different Isle of Mull boat trips.
Looking over Tobermory Bay towards the harbourfront
1 Boat around Tobermory Bay
A new addition for the summer of 2022, thanks to Tobermory Bay Tours, guests can hop on board from the Tobermory pontoons and enjoy a beautiful cruise around the bay. Enjoy stunning views back to the colourful harbourfront, pass by waterfalls as they plunge into the sea and get a closer look at Calve Island and the colony of seals, among other wildlife, who call it home.
Meet puffins on the Treshnish Isles during the summer months
2 Travel to the Treshnish Isles
One of the most popular trips among visitors is to embark on an Isle of Mull boat trip to our outlying Treshnish Isles, visible from the island’s west coast. Take in the iconic contours of Dutchman’s Cap and land on Lunga to experience the archipelago ashore. From mid-April to July, these islands are abuzz with breeding colonies of sea birds, including the perennially popular puffins, who nest in burrows here. Trips depart from the west coast at Ulva Ferry with Turus Mara, or from Tobermory with Staffa Tours.
The whole of Iona from south to north
3 Sail for Staffa and Iona
Venture down to the island’s most south westerly village of Fionnphort and yet another adventure awaits for Isle of Mull boat trips. Skip the CalMac passenger ferry and instead embark with Staffa Trips on a voyage that takes in both Staffa, with its basalt columns and Fingal’s Cave, as well as Iona, with beautiful beaches and the historic abbey, before returning you home to Mull.
Dramatic basalt columns on Staffa
4 Paddle past seals in Salen Bay
Conveniently located in the centre of the island, Salen Bay Hire offers the chance to take to the water in your own time with the hire of kayaks and paddle boards. Paddle around the bay and its charming skerries, enjoy an alternative view of the Salen shipwrecks and almost certainly encounter an inquisitive seal or two.
A group of kayakers exploring Mull’s coastline
5 Ride the waves on the Ross of Mull
Visitors staying in the island’s south west will find all their appetite for adventure well satisfied with water sports, sea kayaking and sailing at Bendoran Watersports in Ardtun. With the help of an expert guide, spend a half or full day cruising around the coast, visiting little-known sandy coves and admiring the pink granite rock formations that this part of the island is well-known for.
Basking shark on a boat trip from Mull
6 Watch for whales from the water
Mull’s waters have been alive this summer with some truly exceptional marine sightings – including on rare occasions orcas! Minke whales, dolphins and porpoise may be more often seen, with the chance for the luckiest visitors to see basking sharks too. Sea Life Mull sail regularly from Tobermory to soak up the sights of the sea.
We hope these Isle of Mull boat trips have given you plenty of inspiration for your next island adventure. Book your cottage and bring your plans together.
Visit a Scottish island in the depths of winter? Really? Ewan Miles from Nature Scotland is here to tell us why the unlikeliest timing might just be the best…
Ewan Miles leads a wildlife tour in wintertime on Mull
Despite what you may think, Scotland can be a stunningly beautiful place to spend some time over the harsher winter months. Yes, the weather can be challenging. But,it can be equally as challenging in July and August too. The west coast is known for glorious white sand beaches, turquoise blue seas and comical puffins. The puffins are long gone in winter, but the Isle of Mull still has much to offer, including those beaches (and often you’ll be the only soul there).
So, come prepared with your waterproofs and wooly hats and hop on the ferry to witness some island wildlife. Here are five iconic species that you can encounter on the Isle of Mull throughout the colder season.
Photo courtesy of Ewan Miles, Nature Scotland
Golden Eagle
Secretive but splendid. The classic Golden Eagle sighting leaves you wanting more. Often, you glimpse a distant yet intimidating silhouette just before it vanishes beyond the crest of a hill. Particularly in the summer months, these wary raptors are focused (hopefully) on their eaglet in the eyrie and avoid humans where possible.
With the arrival of cold winds and snow on the higher mountain tops, Golden Eagles can be seen actively hunting in the shorter daylight hours.
In late winter these birds are already thinking ahead. They become yet more territorial, aggressively removing intruder birds from their wintery home and can be seen displaying to their partner. The male uses powerful wingbeats to gain height, before tightly folding them against his body and plummeting down, clearly sending a message to his mate and any would-be suitor. This sight is repeated against stunningly beautiful landscapes with snow-capped peaks and angry skies.
Photo courtesy of Ewan Miles, Nature Scotland
White-tailed Eagle
The Sea Eagle, fondly referred to as the ‘flying barn door’. The bigger (and better) UK equivalent to the American Bald Eagle. One of the largest eagles in the world, with a staggering 2.9m record wingspan, the White-tailed Eagle is a species to see.
The Isle of Mull has become an iconic location for this eagle since their reintroduction to the Isle of Rum, they set up home here on Mull in 1980s and got comfortable. Fame came in 2005 with Skye and Frisa and their eaglets Itchy and Scratchy.
Like Golden Eagles, these raptors are present here all year round, breeding in the summer months. However, encountering in the winter can be quite different. Often a gregarious bird, juveniles and sub-adults may congregate in small groups together when the going gets tough. They’ll make use of intertidal zones to scavenge any delightful, dead detritus that may have been washed up.
Adult pairs will remain territorial and can be spotted roosting together in trees or nest building before spring arrives again.
Photo courtesy of Ewan Miles, Nature Scotland
Otter
This elusive mammal is still an uncommon sight in mainland river systems despite their successful population resurgence. The Otter remains shy and is primarily nocturnal, making it a tricky species to encounter. Luckily for those visiting the Isle of Mull, particularly in the winter months, you have a good chance of observing these aquatic predators in our coastal waters.
Thanks to the icy cold sea water temperatures, Otters need to be actively hunting for large parts of the day to meet their energy requirements. This makes winter a great time to observe them and marvel at their ability to cope with the wild and choppy Atlantic ocean on our western shores.
They may look like cute, cuddly mammals, but don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. They’ll bring large prey like crabs, fish, octopus and lobster to land and make quick work of devouring the good bits, leaving slim pickings behind for the gulls and hooded crows.
Red deer stag on a bright winter’s day
Red Deer
Mull has a substantial population of the Red Deer, the country’s largest deer species. They’re an impressive sight to behold, particular in autumn and early winter. Wildlife watchers look forward to the ‘rutting season’ each year. The primal sounds of bellowing stags and the clashing of their antlers as they battle out for top mating position are worth getting up for.
Throughout winter though, Red Deer can be seen quite easily as they spend time on the lower, richer feeding areas. Female Red Deer (hinds) will remain in groups with their fast growing calves born earlier in the summer.
We’ve lost many of our larger native herbivores in the UK, including the Aurochs (wild ox), Tarpan (wild horse), Moose and the few Reindeer we do still have are confined only to the Cairngorms, so all the more reason to seek out the majestic Red Deer here on the Isle of Mull.
Ben More with a dusting of snow at sunset
Hen Harrier
Eagles rightly take a great deal of the glory among birds of prey. However, the Isle of Mull is home to another rare raptor, the Hen Harrier which despite a smaller stature is just as intriguing.
The Hen Harrier is present in greatly reduced numbers throughout much of England and parts of mainland Scotland and is unfortunately linked to ongoing raptor persecution incidents on managed land. Thankfully, many islands including Mull are safer havens for these ‘sky-dancing’ birds.
We often have a good number of these vole-loving birds breeding here in summer months. Yet, our oceanic climate provides a warmer region to overwinter on our lower grounds. A crisp, cold winter day can yield excellent views of harriers hunting across rough ground searching out small mammals and birds.
Colder months also spur these birds to communally roost together, a spectacularly unusual sight, but spending time here in winter might increase you chances of seeing multiple harriers arriving at a night time roost to settle down.
