Isle of Mull

An Inner Hebridean island with Tobermory's colorful harbor and Duart Castle, boat trips to Fingal's Cave on Staffa and the sacred isle of Iona, and frequent sightings of sea eagles.

The Isle of Mull (Muile) is the second-largest island in Scotland's Inner Hebrides, lying west of Oban across the Sound of Mull from the Scottish mainland. The island has a deeply indented coastline and fewer than 3,000 residents; at its center is the volcanic peak of Ben More, its west coast faces the Atlantic, and it is surrounded by smaller islands including Iona, Staffa, Ulva and the Treshnish Isles. The colorful harborfront houses of Tobermory, the main town in the north, are one of Scotland's most photographed sights; Duart Castle on the east coast is the ancestral seat of Clan Maclean; and from the far end of the Ross of Mull in the southwest you can cross to Iona, the cradle of Christianity in Scotland. Mull is also one of the UK's top wildlife-watching destinations, where white-tailed eagles, golden eagles, otters and seals are commonly seen; in summer, boat trips land on Staffa to see the basalt columns of Fingal's Cave and puffins, with a chance of spotting minke whales and dolphins.

The best time to visit is Apr–Sep, with puffin season running from about May to late July; summer days are long but midges are plentiful, so bring insect repellent. In winter, many boat tours don't run. Getting there: the CalMac ferry from Oban to Craignure takes about 46 minutes, and there are two other short crossings, Lochaline–Fishnish and Kilchoan–Tobermory. Most roads on the island are single-track, so driving is most convenient, though buses also link Craignure, Tobermory and Fionnphort. Plan on 2–4 days: one day for Tobermory and the northern bays, one for the Ross of Mull and Iona, and one for a boat trip to Staffa and Lunga, with optional extra time for wildlife watching or climbing Ben More. In peak season, book ferry car spaces and accommodation in advance.

Top sights

• Tobermory – The capital of the Isle of Mull. Houses painted red, yellow, blue and pink line the harbor, making it one of Scotland’s most iconic seaside…
• Duart Castle – An ancestral stronghold of the MacLean clan, perched on a headland. Begun in the 13th century, its majestic silhouette can be seen from the…
• Iona Abbey – Founded by St Columba in 563 AD, this abbey is the cradle of Christianity in Scotland. Nearby are ancient Celtic crosses and the burial gro…
• Fingal's Cave, Staffa – On the uninhabited island of Staffa, a sea cave framed by hexagonal basalt columns. Mendelssohn composed music inspired by it, and puffins…
• Tobermory Distillery – A small distillery at the southern end of the harbour, founded in 1798, producing unpeated Tobermory and heavily peated Ledaig whiskies.
• Isle of Iona – A tranquil small island off the southwest of Mull, surrounded by white sand beaches and emerald waters, with no visitor vehicles on the isl…
• Treshnish Isles (Lunga) – An uninhabited island group west of Mull. Lunga, the main island, is an excellent place to see puffins, and it is often combined with Staff…
• Calgary Bay – A white sand bay on the northwest coast of Mull, where green machair grassland and blue sea complement each other. The Canadian city of Cal…
• Glengorm Castle – A Victorian castle on a headland north of Tobermory, with estate trails leading to sea cliffs, standing stones and the ruins of an Iron Age…
• Eas Fors Waterfall – A three-tiered waterfall on Mull's west coast. The final drop falls straight from the cliffs into the sea right beside the road, with views…
• Isle of Ulva – A small island on Mull's west side, reached by a two-minute ferry crossing. The community bought the island and preserves its trails, tearo…
• Ben More, Mull – At 966 metres, the only Munro (peak over 3,000 feet) on an island outside Skye, with views over the surrounding islands.
• Loch na Keal – A sea loch reaching deep into Mull that almost divides the island in two. The coastal road is a popular stretch for spotting white-tailed s…
• MacKinnon's Cave – A huge sea cave beneath the cliffs of the Ardmeanach peninsula, about 150 metres deep, which can only be entered on foot along the beach at…
• Carsaig Arches – Natural stone arches beneath the cliffs on Mull's south coast, reached by a roughly 3-hour walk along a rugged shoreline, with a raw and sp…
• Lochbuie & Moy Castle – A remote bay in the southeast of Mull, where a 15th-century tower of Moy Castle and a Bronze Age stone circle stand between mountains and s…
• Fidden Beach – A white sand beach at the southwest tip of the Ross of Mull, with pink granite rocks alternating with emerald water. It faces Iona across t…
• Ardalanish Weavers & Beach – An organic farm weaving mill on the Ross of Mull that hand-weaves tweed from its own Hebridean wool. There is also a quiet white sand beach…
• Knockvologan Beach – A pristine white sand bay at the southernmost tip of the Ross of Mull. At low tide, a sandbar emerges, allowing you to walk to Erraid, the…

Where to eat

• Fish Café – Seafood restaurant on the upper floor of Tobermory's old pier building, with langoustines and lobster landed each after…
• The Galleon Bistro – Family-run bistro on Post Office Brae in Tobermory, focusing on Mull's local seafood, meat and vegetables; ideal for a…
• The Glass Barn (Isle of Mull Cheese Farm) – The Glass Barn café at the Isle of Mull Cheese Farm on the outskirts of Tobermory, serving macaroni cheese made with th…
• Hebridean Lodge Restaurant – Popular seafood restaurant on the outskirts of Tobermory, with locally landed langoustines, lobster and Glengorm beef h…

Itineraries

• Isle of Mull, Iona, and Staffa – Cross from Oban to drive around Mull, visiting the colorful harbor of Tobermory, spotting sea eagles, visiting Iona Abb…