A Guide To The Isle Of Mull
Adventure In The Inner Hebrides
If you are looking for an off the beaten track Scottish adventure jam packed with wildlife, mountains and white sand beaches, then the Isle of Mull may well be for you.
Situated off Scotland’s West coast, this stunning island is the second largest of the Inner Hebrides and boasts history, natural beauty and endless opportunities for adventure.
The perfect stop on a Scottish island hopping holiday and easily accessible from the mainland, our guide will help you unlock Mull’s potential and explore the very best it has to offer.
About Mull
Located a mile or so off the West coast of Scotland, Mull is one of 35 inhabited islands in the Inner Hebrides archipelago. It is home to stunningly beautiful landscapes, and with Ben More, one of only two island Munros, at its centre, and miles of white sand beaches along its coast, it is the perfect location for those looking to explore remote Scottish landscapes.
With the majority of travellers looking for their fix of Scottish beauty flocking to The Isle Of Skye, the surprisingly large Mull is often left for those who fancy breaking free of the typical tourist routes and is, in turn, relatively people free!
And if think that this is because Mull is boring or ‘for old people” we’re here to tell you, respectfully of course, that you are wrong.
How To Get To The Isle Of Mull
As Mull is an Island the only way of getting there is by ferry, of which there are 3 links from the mainland. All the ferries are car ferries, which is useful as although not 100% necessary, we highly recommend having a car on the island, it is surprisingly large (875.4km Sq) and you will need one to get around!
Oban to Craignure is the main route and has the largest and most regular ferries, but departing from here requires pre booking. If you are travelling in the height of summer, make sure you book this route well in advance as it gets busy.
The other two ferries, from Lochaline and Kilchoan do not require you to pre-book, you just turn up and wait in line for the next available ferry. These depart every half an hour. We went from Lochaline in late May and were able to drive onto one of the first ferries of the day (7:15am), the crossing took 25 minutes meaning we were able to take full advantage of the day ahead. We found this to be a very efficient way to do it.
The ferries are punctual and well run by a team of smiley, helpful people and in our opinion taking them really adds to the experience.
For more information on the ferries and travelling to Mull visit the CalMac site
What To Do On The Isle Of Mull
We spent five days exploring the Isle Of Mull and if i’m honest we could have done longer. It is action packed with things to do, from whiskey tasting and fine dining to beach hopping and wild swimming, Mull has something for everyone.
It was the outdoor activities and exploration that we were after and so we spent our time studying the map, picking intriguing looking spots and discovering hidden corners of this extraordinary island.
Having driven around it in its entirety, we can safely say our favourite spots were mostly at the far west end of the island, away from the more populated East coast.
Below is what we found:
7 Achievable Adventures on the Isle Of Mull:
1: Wild Camp on The West Coast:
When it comes to adventure it’s pretty hard to beat the feeling of wild camping. Add to that the spectacular white sand beaches of Mull’s West coast and you’ve got a pretty good combination.
Unlike the other home nations it is legal to wild camp in Scotland, meaning that you have incredible freedom when it comes to picking where to spend the night. The main challenge when doing so on Mull is deciding where to pitch your tent as you are spoilt for choice! However if you are after a really remote fix of adventure we suggest you follow our tried and tested lead and spend the night on the lesser explored west coast of the Island near Fionnphort.
An hour and half drive from Mull’s main town of Tobermory, Fionnphort is a small village and the last place on the ‘main road’. Once you arrive here you take a left down a smaller single track towards Fidden and Knockvologan, from there begins a stunning stretch of coast prime for exploring and pitching up for the night. Hidden bays of white sand beaches, tidal islands and turquoise waters make this corner of Mull a breathtakingly beautiful place to wake up.. And of course you can do so all for free!
Read more details about wild camping here in our Adventure Guide.
2: Climb Ben More.
At 966m Ben More, is the highest peak in the Inner Hebrides outside of Skye and the only Munroe on the Isle of Mull. Climbing it on a clear day will allow you to see the neighbouring islands of Iona, Staffa and Ulva, making it by far and away the best vantage point on Mull.
The hike is roughly 5.75 Miles and will take circa 5.5 hours. It is more of a hill walk than a climb, although weather conditions heavily impact difficulty and danger so be sure to be prepared!
Find more information on how to tackle this climb here.
3: Discover Mull’s Hidden Beaches
As mentioned, the far South-West of Mull is home to it’s most beautiful and untouched coastline. A stretch of coast that is jam packed with mile upon mile of hidden coves, turquoise water and white sand beaches make this part of the island perfect for exploring.. Just as long as you’re willing to get stuck in.
Again the way to get here is to drive one and a half hours across the island from Tobermorey to Fionnphort. The beaches and coves are then accessible along some of the single track left turns as you approach the end of the Island. Each beach has a different level of accessibility but all will reward you handsomely for your efforts.
Oh and don’t forget to take your swimmers…
Read more information on how to reach these beaches in our Adventure Guide.
4: Eat Battered Scallops at The Creel
Have you ever tried a battered scallop? No, neither had we until we visited The Creel. Located opposite the small ferry terminal in Fionnphort, The Creel is a small shack that sells freshly caught seafood, some of the freshest produce on the island in fact, including some of the largest king scallops we’ve ever seen in our lives, covered in a fresh batter served with chips - a Mull delicacy!
Not into Scallops? No problem, The Creel also sells traditional fish and chips, fresh lobster, crab and more. It’s the perfect place to grab a bite after a day of exploring this end of the island… oh yeah, and they also sell beers.
More information on menu, opening times etc can be found here.
5: Day Trip To Iona
In our opinion no trip to Mull is complete without making the extra journey over to the smaller nearby island of Iona. Located a mile off the East coast of Mull, Iona is a 9 square km island, and home to a small community and stunning beaches. Cars aren’t allowed on the island without a permit and with only 177 residents, the island boasts a pace of life worthy of its spectacular natural beauty.
You get to Iona via the foot ferry from Fionnphort and once there you have a choice of a handful of restaurants and hotel options. The island has a golf course, dozens of beaches and ancient religious buildings to keep you busy.
Our favourite thing we did on the island is head to its far north coast and watch the sun sink into the ocean from the beach. Stunning.
For more information read our Iona Adventure Guide.
6: Sail the Seas In A 1933 Fishing Boat
If you are after a trip back in time and a completely different way to experience the waters around Mull then taking a trip on the Birthe Marie might well be for you. A lovingly hand restored 1933 Danish fishing boat, the Birthe Marie is a work of art, sporting ten sails, gorgeous pastel colours and original features; it really is a spectacular vessel.
Owner Mark, takes bespoke trips around Mull and the surrounding islands, leaving from either Fionnphort Mull or from the port on Iona. The boat can take up to 10 people but often will have less meaning that you will be in with a good say on where you would like to go. Wherever you ended up sailing, one things for sure, Mark will know pretty much everything there is to know about it, a fountain of knowledge and extremely nice man, he is an absolute pleasure to spend the day with.
Trips are either half a day (4hours) or full (8).
Read more info in our Sailing The Inner Hebrides Guide.
7: Stroll The Streets of Tobermory
A colorful little seaside fishing town on the East coast of Mull, Tobermory is the capital of the island and a short drive from both ferry ports. You may well have seen pictures of it’s multicoloured front, with bright buildings lining the seafront street, giving the town an unmistakably energetic look.
Home to the highest concentration of accommodation options on the island, the town is also a tourist hotspot, with restaurants, pubs and plenty of little shops selling local produce. We spent an afternoon wandering round the streets, watching the fishermen and drinking in The Mishnish, a great little pub attached to a hotel. If you like traditional pubs and fancy some fresh mussels or fish pie then we highly recommend setting up camp in The Mishnish for a few hours.
8: Lochbuie
Located on the South Coast of Mull, Lochbuie is a small village known for its beautiful landscapes and abundance of nature. Home to 17 houses, this small coastal village is a renowned start point for several beautiful walks, and with Moy Castle, St Kildas Church and Lochbuie House there is plenty to see and do.
Upon arrival, park up at the beach front car park and stock up on coffee and cake at the impressively delicious Old Post Office, the owner of which is very knowledgeable and will happily point you in the direction of the best walk that day depending on what wildlife has been spotted recently.
Conclusion:
Often overlooked in favour of The Isle of Skye or other famous Highland locations, Mull is a real hidden gem. Packed with opportunities for adventure and natural beauty it is perfect for those looking to discover a relatively unexplored corner of Scotland.
