When you arrive in Oban, ready to make the ferry crossing to Mull, you’re bound to hear the west coast town referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Isles’. But Oban isn’t the only place from which you can explore the surrounding Scottish islands. It’s possible to visit several from Mull too. Here’s how to do it.

The view from the nearby island of Ulva looking back across to Mull

Iona

Perhaps the most famous of Scottish islands surrounding Mull, Iona has attracted visitors for centuries. In fact, over a thousand years ago in 563AD, St Columba arrived, bringing with him Christian teachings that are still felt on the island to this day.

Iona Abbey dates from the Middle Ages. It is one of the most popular attractions to visit, alongside the 13^th-century nunnery and St Oran’s Chapel.

But that’s not all there is to explore on Iona. Three miles long, this wee island is a natural treasure trove waiting for you to discover it. Wildlife enthusiasts flock to hear the elusive corncrakes, while walkers make their way to the island’s highest point, Dun I, or to the beautiful white sand beaches, like the Bay at the Back of the Ocean.

You’ll find Iona just off the south-western tip of Mull. The passenger ferry from Fionnphort takes as little as 15 minutes.

Discover the quaint cottages and charming coastline of Iona

Ulva

Ulva is one of the most accessible of the Scottish islands surrounding Mull. A boat will take you across from the aptly named Ulva Ferry on Mull’s west coast on weekdays, and Sundays between June and August too.

Ulva is a nature-lover’s paradise, with no end of waymarked trails that allow you to explore the island’s diverse scenery. There are rocky shorelines, picturesque woodlands and open countryside to discover. With this range of habitats comes an amazing array of species, with unusual wildflowers to spot, as well as birdlife and mammals.

Much like Iona, Ulva has its own interesting history. Visiting Sheila’s Cottage is a great way to experience what island life was like in the 20^th century, before walking to ruined buildings or Livingstone’s Cave.

Hop across to Ulva and enjoy woodland walks

Staffa

Many visitors to Mull embark on one of the many boat trips to Staffa for the day. Staffa’s claim to fame is for inspiring the musician Mendelssohn with the acoustics in Fingal’s Cave.

But Staffa is iconic in its own right, with towering basalt columns lapped by foaming blue waters. In the summer months, the puffins arrive, attracting many visitors to the island. But whatever time you choose to visit, you’ll have the chance to spot sea birds. You can also look out for marine species, like dolphins and porpoises, from the boat.

There are a variety of boat trips available to visit Staffa, departing from both Tobermory in the north and Fionnphort in the south. Find out more about boat trips on Mull.

Marvel at the magnificent basalt columns on Staffa

Treshnish Isles

From a vantage point on the north-west of Mull,you’ll spot the silhouette of the Treshnish Isles.

Much like Staffa, several boat trips enable visitors to access this archipelago of Scottish islands, with the opportunity to make landing. Tours typically depart from Tobermory because the islands lie off Mull’s north-western coast.

The Treshnish Isles are a haven for wildlife. Puffins nest here during the summer, before the grey seals have their pups in autumn.

Boat trips tend to land on the largest of the islands, Lunga. Once off the boat, you can cross the rocky beach to explore the island and see the puffins, taking care not to disturb any nests.

Meet puffins on the Treshnish Isles during the summer months

Erraid

Erraid lies just off the south-west coast of Mull and while it’s not well known, it is easy to reach if you time it right. Boats can anchor in Tinker’s Hole while visitors can cross over the tidal sandbar on foot when the tide allows.

Small but beautifully formed, visitors will be blown away by the views, from white sand beaches and pink granite outcrops, to the panorama back across to the Ross of Mull.

There are many walking trails that make exploring the island relatively simple. Just remember to check the tides and cross back before the waves cut you off!

The tidal Isle of Erraid lies off Mull’s south west coast

Gometra

One of the lesser known Scottish islands on Mull’s west coast is Gometra, perhaps because it is one of the trickiest to reach. But if you fancy an adventure, a few days on Gometra could make a unique extension to a week on Mull.

You reach Gometra by first taking the boat from Mull to Ulva, then walking a challenging eight miles over hills to reach the bridge to Gometra. The route is as rugged as the landscape and is best tackled only by experienced walkers.

This isolated isle is home to just a handful of islanders and runs off the electricity grid. It’s a true wilderness, with both the challenges and beauties that come with it. Few will discover Gometra first hand, making it a hidden gem for those who do tackle the journey.

The view to Gometra from Mull

Find out more about visiting Mull’s outlying islands and plan your next holiday with our helpful island guide.

As the bright colours of the island capital, Tobermory, would suggest, the Isle of Mull has a vibrant arts and crafts scene. Some preserve traditions that date back centuries, like spinning wool from native flocks and weaving tweeds and blankets. Others make use of modern and unusual materials to delight and surprise.

If you’d like to discover some Isle of Mull artists and crafters and perhaps even buy a piece of local artwork to take home with you, make a start with this guide.

Tobermory plays host to many Isle of Mull artists and craftspeople

Painters

With huge open vistas and a varied landscape of mountains, glens, lochs and forest, the island provides inspiration for many Isle of Mull artists. Several are based here, including Graham & Sally Bruce-Richards and Ronnie Leckie, who has a gallery you can visit on Tobermory’s Main Street. Artist Angus Stewart also has a gallery you can visit on Breadalbane Street, just up the hill from the harbour.

Potters

Pay Mull Pottery a visit in their shop on the Main Street to find beautiful, handmade pottery pieces. Their pottery spans all kinds of homewares and each piece has a character of its own. Often decorated in island-inspired hues, each piece makes an excellent keepsake or gift.

Mull Willow run workshops from a charming croft

Willow weavers

Based on a croft beside Loch Scridain at Ardtun, Mull Willow cultivates and crafts this natural product. Learn the craft on your holiday to Mull with one of their willow-weaving workshops. You can make baskets, bird boxes and stools in a workshop warmed by a log burner.

Beachcombers

Nestled into a hill on the island’s west coast is Lip na Cloiche. Best known as an open garden that is beautifully planted and filled with time-worn treasures, gardener Lucy also creates wonderful crafts with beach-combed finds. Mirrors adorned with shells and crafts created from rope and driftwood offer plenty of island charm.

Ardalanish Weavers in the island’s south west

Wool weavers

Not far from Mull Willow is Ardalanish, located on a farm just outside Bunessan. They work with wool from native flocks and use plant dyes to add colour to garments and blankets. You can take a tour of the mill to see the weaving process in action and pick up some warm and cosy woollens from the shop.

Pyrographers

One of the more unusual crafts is pyrography, where wood is burned to create different designs. Chronicle Crafts & Cakes are masters of the art on Mull. They create all kinds of intricate designs, from coasters to cheese boards and even house signs! You’ll often find Chronicle Crafts & Cakes at the producer’s market in Craignure if you’d like to see these first-hand.

Leather workers

Isle of Mull Leather stands just back from Tobermory’s Main Street – spot their wares displayed in the window when you pass by. Practitioners of the craft of leather working, they create belts, wallets and other leather goods from their workshop using traditional techniques.

Calgary Art in Nature

Galleries to visit on Mull

You’ll find lots of inspiration for things to do on Mull here, but if it’s arts and crafts that take your fancy, we recommend starting here.

An Tobar, Tobermory

Tucked up the hill from Tobermory’s Main Street, you can follow a fairly steep path up to reach An Tobar. The reward for the walk is an interesting gallery with inspiring exhibitions, as well as a cosy coffee shop and cafe.

Calgary Arts, Calgary

You may have heard of the Calgary Art in Nature trail. Often crafted from unexpected materials, sculptures line this wonderful woodland path. But Calgary is also home to an excellent Gallery that showcases the talents of Isle of Mull artists, as well as a workshop that is one of the island’s creative hubs.

South West Mull Makers, Fionnphort

At the other end of the island in the village where the ferry departs for Iona, you’ll find South West Mull Makers. This gallery brings together all kinds of arts, crafts and items created by local islanders. Much of it is available to buy.

Skylarks dancing to the heavens. Meadow Pipits parachuting ground wards. Golden-ringed Dragonflies patrolling the burns. Hen Harriers quartering the hillside…

We all stood in amazement as Mull’s moorland teemed with life! My guests and I were immersing ourselves in spectacular upland ecology on a recent Mull Nature Expedition, undertaking a short leisurely walk to delve deeper into the habitat and experience some of the wilder parts of Mull.

Explore Mull’s upland ecosystems

50% of Scotland’s landmass is an upland ecosystem and these habitats are heavily under recorded in terms of species abundance and trends. I am the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) North Argyll Regional Co-ordinator and Nature Scotland is working with the BTO to record all of our avifauna sightings during expeditions on the moors of Mull. On a recent tour, we managed to input data that included 12 male Meadow Pipits on territory, 8 Skylarks in song, 2 occupied Whinchat and Stonechat sites, 8 singing Wrens and 3 separate Hen Harriers.

The invertebrate life that underpins the diverse fauna is also recorded to help provide a greater understanding of the biodiversity on the island. Dragonfly and butterfly sightings along with their co-ordinates are logged manually out in the field. The information is then entered to the online database once I am back in the office. Guests have the option to get involved in the citizen science projects by helping to spot wildlife, write down sightings and take co-ordinate readings using a device provided.

After a lovely morning observing and exploring the moors we travelled to a nearby viewpoint to scan the habitat and have our packed lunch. Whilst enjoying our hot drinks, a distant Golden Eagle was seen in the spotting scope cresting a mountainous skyline. The emblematic species inhabits the wildest parts of the country from high altitude montane to inaccessible coastlines.

From sea to summit: diverse habitats on Mull

One of the most exciting things about Mull is the large mixture of landscapes and habitats to explore. There are over 60 wildlife habitats recognised in the UK and the fabric of Mull possesses over 30 of those! On our Nature Expeditions we aim to cover a mixture of habitats by vehicle and on foot throughout the tour.

After our lunch break we made for the coast to search for water-based wildlife. The Eurasian Otter is a real draw-card species and a very popular predator so we make sure to cover Otter habitat on every expedition. Another easy-going walk was undertaken to enable almost constant pauses to scan the surrounding shoreline for movement.

An adult White-tailed Eagle flew right overhead with Harbour Seals visibly hauled out on nearby skerries. Whilst the otters remained elusive this time, we instead encountered a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins. They were working the coastline, surfacing in small groups and also showing sporadic breaching behaviour! We input any cetacean records into the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s ‘Whaletrack’ app.

Nature conservation and education

The fourth national seabird census is being undertaken during 2018/19. We have been given the task of co-ordinating all survey coverage efforts on the Isle of Mull. Some of these efforts will be taken on Nature Scotland expeditions during the next two breeding seasons. During our afternoon excursion along the coast we managed to complete some census counts on breeding Razorbills, Kittiwakes and Fulmar.

Education is at the heart of every Nature Scotland experience. I will aim to provide fascinating information on species ecology and anatomy, along with examples of how an ecosystem functions healthily when in a completed state. I will also raise any current conservation issues and threats to UK species. This helps to increase awareness and encourage direct involvement and engagement.

Words and Images: Ewan Miles

Ewan runs the Mull based, award-winning eco-tourism operator Nature Scotland (www.naturescotland.com) and offers a variety of tours and experiences that can help you unlock some of the wildlife highlights of the Isle of Mull.

Learn more about Mull’s wildlife ‘big five’ here.

The unparalleled wildlife and landscapes are well-known reasons to visit Mull, but there’s more to the island than nature alone.

Home to around 3,000 people, Mull has a brilliant community spirit with lots of cultural events and traditions going on. Here are just a few of them.

Hogmanay

Hogmanay, or New Year for those south of the border, is the only excuse islanders need to get together, enjoy good food and have a good old knees-up.

Of course, with such a spirited party comes the dreaded walk home. Why not make it easy and book to stay at a cottage within staggering distance of an island inn?

The picturesque Tilliepestle is located a stone’s throw from the oldest inn on the island, The Bellachroy in Dervaig. Or, you could try Bayview House in Bunessan to start the new year with stunning sea views after a night of merriment at the the local. In Tobermory, revellers are spoiled for choice with the Mishnish, MacGochans and others hosting parties into the wee hours.

Burns Night

On the 25^th of January every year, Scots far and wide get together to celebrate Burns Night. A celebration of poet Robert Burns, haggis is top of the menu (check out Ballygown Restaurant who make their own) and, if traditions are upheld, its arrival at dinnertime will be accompanied by a live performance of the bagpipes. It’s also the perfect occasion to sample some of the island’s local whisky, made at the Tobermory Distillery.

Mull Music Festival

From the 25^th to the 29^th April 2019, the island will be singing with musical talent as Mull Music Festival gets into full swing.

Venues in Tobermory host the majority of the performances. Bands and musicians take over pubs, restaurants and hotels, transforming them into atmospheric live music venues.

You’ll be shoulder-to-shoulder with visitors and locals, enjoying the best of Scottish folk and ceilidh music.

Highland Games

Visit Mull on Thursday 18th July 2019 to experience the island’s annual Highland Games. It’s a day that unites community spirit and competition, with visitors and locals turning out in droves. With piping, Scottish dancing and lots of sporting events, including the iconic caber toss, this is a truly Scottish day out and great fun for all the family. You’ll find 10 more family friendly island activities here.

Usually held at Erray Park, stay at The Croft or Bookend Cottage and all the excitement will be just a short walk away.

Salen & Bunessan Agricultural Shows

Both the villages of Salen on Mull’s east coast and Bunessan in the south west host a traditional agricultural show. The shows usually take place in August and are another excellent family day out. Livestock classes will bring you up close to the island’s famous Highland cows, while the dog and horse shows create quite a spectacle. There are lots of stalls to explore and plenty of delicious opportunities to try local food and drink.

Mull Rally

A long-standing favourite of all Mull’s island traditions is the Mull Rally, which sees the island buzzing with rally cars taking part in timed trials. The Mull Rally takes place in mid-October every year. The island has a bustling feel and there’s plenty to do when you visit Mull, whether spectating the races or making the most of the ceilidhs over the weekend.

West Over Sea Tobermory Book Festival

A tradition in its infancy, the Tobermory Book Festival launched in 2018. Spear-headed by a literary team of three, the festival offered visitors author meet-and-greets, book launches and readings, as well as live music. It’s an event we hope to see return and grow year-on-year.

Tobermory Christmas Lights

The turning on of the Christmas lights in Tobermory may be one of the year’s lesser-known traditions for visitors, but what it lacks in tourist publicity it makes up for with charm. The event usually takes place in November.

Come and watch Tobermory’s Main Street light up with festive illuminations and gather round the clock tower and Christmas tree. The shops, restaurants and pubs will be open late, with no shortage of treats to tempt you in. It’s the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy some late night shopping from local, island businesses. A great reason to visit Mull in winter.

Find a brilliant holiday cottage for your getaway. If you visit Mull in the winter months, don’t miss out on cottages offering excellent short breaks.

Being an island off the west coast of Scotland, the Isle of Mull has no shortage of stunning beaches to tempt you. Here, we travel around the coast to bring you five of Mull’s best beaches. Ready to find inspiration for your next island getaway?

Ardalanish Beach, South West Mull

If you’re staying on the Ross of Mull, you’re in prime position to visit Ardalanish Beach. It’s easy to reach from the car park close to Ardalanish Weavers. Once you’re on the sand, the beach offers a lovely walk with excellent coastal and hill views. The beach is surrounded by sand dunes but, if you can tear your eyes away and look up, it’s not unheard of tospot a white-tailed sea eagle here too! Warm up afterwards with a cup of coffee (and perhaps a new blanket) at Ardalanish Weavers.

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The Isle of Mull is famed for many things. A charming harbour town, breathtaking beaches and abundant wildlife are only the beginning. It is also an island of great history, where much of it has been carefully preserved. Plenty of historical attractions remain on the island on display for visitors to see.

Here, we round-up seven brilliant historical attractions for you to visit on Mull. From castles to clans and old crofter’s cottages, you’ll find many memorable ways to step back in time on the island.

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The varied and spectacular Isle of Mull wildlife is one of the island’s biggest attractions. Here are some of the most unique Mull wildlife moments spotted in 2017.

The King of our Seas

On Mull we’re fortunate to be able to observe kings of the airwaves on a regular basis: Golden and White-Tailed Eagles. But Mull being an island, it is surrounded by the largest habitat on planet Earth, the ocean. On a rare occasion you may even get to see marine royalty and the ocean’s top predator patrolling the big blue… Orca.

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Self-catering holidays on Mull are arguably the best way to explore the island if you want to balance luxury and flexibility. Our portfolio of over 100 hand-picked cottages boast some of the best views on the island, and you can choose the one with an interior to suit your style.

You won’t be tied to your hotel’s restaurant this way, so you can eat whatever you want, whenever you want, with the option to eat out any time you fancy it too. To help you make the most of your island getaway, here we round up Mull’s impressive offering of stores, farm shops, produce markets and even homemade ready meals delivered to your door!

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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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Author looking over Loch na Keal near Kellan Mill Lodge

I was a latecomer to Mull. Shamefully late in fact. Having moved to Scotland in 2003 and consciously making the decision at that point to explore every corner of my adopted home, it was 12 long years before I set foot on the island. It wasn’t until my second visit that I experienced autumn on Mull.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

My first obstacle was an earnest but naïve fixation on climbing munros (Scotland’s 282 hills over 3000ft) and ONLY munros. I did so with single-minded determination for the first few years. In so doing I completely overlooked the walking potential of rugged ‘lesser’ hills on the islands or the unique atmosphere and challenges of their wild, convoluted coastlines… two things Mull has in spades. But when that fixation happily abated, a second and unexpected obstacle took its place.

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