Days Out on the Isle of Mull

Standing stones and a sunset in North Mull

Walk out to Quinish Point
Spend the morning immersing yourself in the stunning west coast scenery surrounding the village of Dervaig in north-west Mull.  The walk to Quinish Point on the coast starts from the village, tracing the road along the north shore of Loch Cuin for a short distance before peeling off onto a woodland track and passing rugged countryside and a set of standing stones. The sea views are outstanding, with Coll, Tiree and Ardnamurchan Lighthouse all visible on a clear day – cameras at the ready!

Enjoy lunch and explore the exhibits at The Old Byre
Come lunchtime you’ll certainly have worked up an appetite and just a few minutes’ drive south brings you to the Old Byre Heritage Centre. Put your feet up and refuel in the tea room here. There’s a play area to keep the younger generations entertained, and plenty of exhibits to enthral all ages with the island’s history, flora and fauna.

Visit the Kilmore standing stones
Inspired by what you’ve learned at The Old Byre Heritage Centre, take the Dervaig – Tobermory road. As you leave the cottages of Dervaig behind and climb the hill, you’ll come to a parking area to your left. There’s a perfectly positioned bench from which to soak up the view, which stretches for miles across hills, woodland and the loch, leading all the way out to sea and the Treshnish Isles when the skies are clear.  You only need to walk a few metres from here towards the once-wooded area and you’ll discover the Kilmore standing stones. A few remain standing tall, with several others now lying on the ground.

Have dinner at the island’s oldest inn
After a day of adventure, dinner at The Bellachroy is well deserved. Dig into a hearty feast in the historic setting of the island’s oldest inn.

Watch the sunset over Loch Cuin
Tucked at the head of the loch in the north west, the village is well placed to make the most of sunset views. You’ll experience the golden hour at its very best when beside the water, as the sky’s colourful blaze is reflected back at you. A glorious end to an island day.

A day exploring the iconic island of Iona

Catch the ferry to Iona from Fionnphort
This island itinerary begins from the village of Fionnphort in the south west corner of Mull. Home to a beautiful beach, a seafood shack and several shops, there’s plenty to see and do while you wait for the next passenger ferry to Iona. Once on board, make the most of the views back to Mull and ahead to Iona from your vantage point on the water.

Wander through Baile Mor
Disembark the ferry, venture up the slipway and you’ll soon find yourself among the charming and small settlement of Baile Mor, Iona’s main village. Take your time meandering through, popping into artisanal gift shops or picking up a snack from the village store.

Visit the Iona Abbey
The Iona Abbey dates back to the Middle Ages. You can experience a real sense of history from within its well-preserved walls as you explore the abbey and its cloisters. Iona is an island renowned for its role in Christianity thanks to St Columba’s arrival in 563AD and remains a place of pilgrimage for many to this day. Close by, you’ll also enjoy exploring St Oran’s Chapel and the Nunnery.

Have lunch at the Columba Hotel
Being a much smaller island than neighbouring Mull, Iona has only a few places to eat, but they are lovely ones well worthy of a visit. Enjoy a warming bowl of soup at the Columba Hotel to refuel mid-way through your island day trip.

Explore the beaches in Iona’s north
Iona is blessed with many gorgeous beaches, including the part pebble, part sand Bay at the Back of the Ocean to the west, and the white sandy beaches of Traigh an-t Suidhe and Traigh Ban in the north.  These quiet settings are the perfect place to roll out a picnic rug, pop open a flask of coffee and while away an hour or two sketching or reading a good book. If the sun is shining, the clear turquoise waters may even tempt you to kick off your shoes and enjoy a paddle in the shallows.

Return to Mull and enjoy dinner at the Ninth Wave
A decadent finishing touch to an already enchanting day, book a table for dinner at the Ninth Wave in Fionnphort to conclude the day with a culinary feast in the form of a tasting menu. Using many ingredients cultivated on their own croft, this fine dining venue offers a taste of the island at its very finest.

Wanderings on the Ross of Mull

Follow the boardwalk towards a secluded island beach
As you approach Fionnphort in the south west corner of the Ross of Mull, you’ll near a filling station at Ardfenaig and the starting point for your walk lies not far from here. Walking boots on and binoculars at the ready, follow the path towards Camas Tuath, which is boarded for much of the way. As you near the bay, follow the track that peels off to your left down to Market Bay, where two blissfully white sandy coves beckon.

Watch the water for wildlife
Being off the beaten track, you’ll often find you’re the only visitors to Market Bay, which is a real treat. Spend some time exploring both beaches and marvelling at the rocky headlands, before settling down on the sand to scan the seas. Keep an eye out for a passing porpoise or pod of dolphins, which are known to roam the waters around Mull.

Enjoy lunch with a sea view
Having returned to the car, it’s only a quick trip down the road to reach the heart of Fionnphort village, where you’ll find the blue-painted pub, the Keel Row. If the weather’s fine, enjoy a hearty pub lunch in the garden while you dose up on vitamin sea, or if you fancy a bit of the locally landed catch, head to The Creel Seafood Bar, right beside the slipway.

Discover artisan island crafts
Rested and refuelled, make your way through the village to South West Mull Makers. A little emporium of local works, artisan crafters exhibit their handiwork, ranging from paintings to pottery and items woven from willow.

Continue the theme at Ardalanish 
Take the road to Bunessan, then follow the signs to reach Ardalanish Weavers for another authentic island experience. Arriving at the weavers, you’ll hear the hum of the machines working their magic in the mill, where you can often have a peek inside. In the shop, resident weavers will talk you through the craft and you’ll be able to stock up on beautiful wares, including high quality blankets and scarves. Don’t miss the tea and coffee too – perfect for taking down to the beach with you.

Wind down with a beach-combing wander
That leads us on to the final stop for this day itinerary on the Ross of Mull. Just before you reach the Weavers, there’s a small car park and a trail that leads down to the beach. Ardalanish is a lovely silver-sand sweeping bay, where you can wander the shoreline searching for treasures borne in on the tide.

Wildlife and castles in the South East

Meet Mull’s largest bird of prey
In season, Mull Eagle Watch deliver ranger-led tours to experience incredible views of the white-tailed sea eagles, often seen on or around their nest. Depending on the time of year, you can also follow the journey as they raise their young, before the juvenile birds fledge and begin to find their own way in the wild. For the last few years, these tours have been based from the golf course at Craignure.

Have lunch at Duart Castle
Just a few miles drive south of Craignure will lead you out to the peninsula, where Duart Castle stands proudly on the headland. The castle is open from April to October, with an excellent tea room for a light lunch or piece of cake. Refuelled with some sweet treats, you can explore the castle exhibits or take a stroll down to Duart Bay.

Walk to a ruined castle
Just like mainland Scotland, Mull is home to an impressive number of castles given its size and several can be found in the south east. Having lunched at Duart, follow the Glen More road south west before taking the turn to Lochbuie. Follow the lane for several miles watching for wildlife as you pass Loch Spelve, then park up beside the sea at Lochbuie.

Pick up a drink or some nibbles to take with you at the Old Post Office, then follow the path that leads east along the coast. After a little while, the ruins of Moy Castle will come into view on a leafy, woodland outcrop. Take your time to walk around the exterior and make use of the information displays provided.

Discover a sweeping sandy beach
When you’ve had your fill of island history, continue to follow the path around the coastline, which is now sign-posted to Laggan Sands. A short distance further delivers you to the large expanse of sand from which the beach takes its name. Take a stroll along the shore or simply put your feet up and watch the waves, before returning to Lochbuie.

Enjoy a hearty dinner at the Craignure Inn
After a day filled with adventure outdoors, come dinnertime you’ll be ready to fill your boots and put your feet up. Make your way back to the Craignure Inn, a traditional pub not far from the pier. Pull up a seat close to the fire in the bar, or enjoy your meal in the restaurant, reminiscing about the activities of the day.

Soak up the sights around the island's capital

Play a round of golf with stunning sea views
Once you’ve enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and your morning coffee, throw on your boots and head up the hill to the golf course in Tobermory. The nine-hole course has outstanding views, both over the surrounding countryside and out over the sea towards Ardnamurchan, making it an enjoyable experience whether you win or lose!

Walk to the lighthouse
From the golf course, you can follow a path to join up with the main route to the lighthouse, which begins from the end of the Main Street on the harbour. As you might imagine, heading down from the golf course entails a fairly steep descent, so you may prefer to retrace your steps and take the path from the harbour instead. You’ll pass through Atlantic oak woodland with the sea at your side, before the view opens up with the lighthouse in front of you. Heading back to Tobermory, watch as Calve Island returns to view.

Experience café culture island style
With a round of golf under your belt and your boots well worn in, it’s high time for a well-earned lunch. Tobermory’s harbourfront offers a plethora of cafes from which to choose, with the Gallery Café inside an old church, the Tobermory Bakery and The Scullery all popular choices. Enjoy a long, lazy lunch watching boats bob in and out of the harbour, before whiling away an hour looking through the art galleries on Main Street and Breadalbane Street. 

Join a distillery tour
At the end of the Main Street closest to the pontoons, you’ll find the Tobermory Distillery. Renowned whisky producers, the distillery is now making gins too. Book onto a guided tour to see the stills in action and learn more about the island’s whisky heritage, before tasting a dram or two.

Have dinner at Café Fish
One of the hallmarks of island life is the abundance of fresh fish and seafood catches brought in daily, and Café Fish is one of the best places to sample it. Book your table as far in advance as you can, because this atmospheric restaurant on the upper floor of the old Art Deco ferry building fills up fast.

Enjoy a night of culture at An Tobar
Round off the evening with a visit to An Tobar on a night when an event is on. This little venue just above the Main Street is home to an art gallery and café by day, as well as live music and cultural events later on.