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Top 10 Things to do on the Isle of Mull

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Updated on May 14th, 2024

If you like castles, stunning scenery, beaches to rival the best in the Caribbean, a chance to see eagles soaring overhead and whales in the waves then you have come to the right place. Add to this a picture-perfect harbour town with 300 miles of wild and spectacular coastline and the Isle of Mull has it all! Here is my list of top 10 things to do on the Isle of Mull.”

Where?

Isle of Mull, Scotland

Top-10-Things-to-do-on-the-Isle-of-Mull-Isle-of-Mull

Why?

As part of a 10-day road trip to discover the Highlands and Islands of Scotland with a friend, the Isle of Mull caught our attention. I am so pleased it did as this beautiful island became one of the highlights of a spectacular trip. If you are interested in stunning scenery, sheep, empty white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, cows, cliffs and more sheep, then look no further!

Read more: Scottish Highlands Itinerary – A Perfect 10 Day Road Trip for the Highlands and Islands

I spent one day on the Isle of Mull and only wish I could have given it more time. We took our car over on the ferry and I thoroughly recommend you have your own transport too. The thing I did not appreciate about the island was how long it takes to get anywhere. What we thought was a 30-minute scenic drive was actually 2 hours, including many, many stops to just take in the views. Most of the driving was on single track roads with hills, cliffs, twists, turns and oncoming traffic. Therefore, I am sharing with you what I did, as well as what we thought we would do and a lot more besides. So, if you are looking for the best things to do on Mull, then you are in the right place.

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Throughout 10 days of driving in Scotland, we picked up some important tips and a lot of experience with single-track roads. For the Isle of Mull, knowing how to drive these roads is essential so here are my top tips to enable you to enjoy the roads safely and not annoy the locals.

Top 10 Things to do on the Isle of Mull Old BoatsSingle Track Roads – Top Tips for Driving

DO…

  • Keep left.
  • Stop to let vehicles pass.
  • Stop and wait at the designated ‘Passing Places’ if you see any traffic coming.
  • Look out for ‘Passing Places’ so you know where they are if you need to reverse.

DON’T…

  • Cross to the right, even if there is a ‘Passing Place’ there.
  • Create a queue. Pull in to let others pass (that way you enjoy the drive so much more too!).
  • Park or drive on the verge or park in ‘Passing Places’.
  • Make others reverse a long way back.
Top 10 Things to do on the Isle of Mull

The important thing to note is that in Mull you cannot travel fast. Drive, stop, wonder and drive a little more before you have to stop in wonder again. I loved it!”

Love Scotland? See also 18 Best Things To Do In Fort William  &  Things To Do in The Trossachs – A One Day Road Trip

Top 10 Things to do on the Isle of Mull

Here is the route I took for my day on the island. I advise you to execute the route in this direction. The road along the East Coast from Tobermory to Craignure is a fast road and takes 30 minutes between the two villages. Therefore, it is more predictable for your final journey to the ferry.

Top 10 Things to do on the Isle of Mull - West Coast Drive

Please note that I visited in August 2020, when things were just tentatively reopening after the COVID lockdown. Hence, many of the usual attractions were not in operation.

If you do not have access to a car to drive yourself on the Isle of Mull, then click HERE to check out a tour instead.

See Duart Castle
Duart Castle standing solitary at the top of green manicured lawns under a blue sky

The first stop from the ferry should be Duart Castle. It is the ancestral home of the Maclean clan and is perfectly situated on the cliffs overlooking the Sound of Mull. The 13th-century fortress is one of the oldest inhabited castles in Scotland. You can tour the castle or stop in the café but if you are following this itinerary, then don’t stop for long as there is a lot still to see!

If you like castles, check out 15 Reasons to Visit the Tower of London

Top 10 Things to do on the Isle of Mull - Uisken BeachExplore the Ross of Mull

The Ross of Mull is the largest peninsula on the south-west of the island at 28 kilometres long. To drive to the end was a great introduction and a must-do if you are looking for one of the best things to do in Mull.

Here, we found pristine white beaches and turquoise waters to rival any I have experienced throughout the world.”

We started by following the sheep down the small road to lovely Uisken, before continuing the journey to Fionnphort. Our mission was to make it to Fidden and our efforts were not in vain.

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Top 10 Things to do on the Isle of Mull - Fidden Beach3. Head to the Caribbean at Fidden Beach
Top 10 Things to do on the Isle of Mull

Fidden Beach was just a palm tree short of one of the best beaches I have visited in the Caribbean…although not quite as warm 😉 The pink granite rocks separate the fine sand from the clean, azure waters. We had this part of paradise for ourselves as we just walked, admired and pinched ourselves to believe we were in the Isle of Mull. If you are lucky you may even spot some seals basking on the rocks, so keep your eyes peeled.

See Also: 20 Best Things to do in Antigua – A Local Perspective

Eventually, we tore ourselves away and followed the sheep back up to the “main” road. Our plan was to move on to see the next gorgeous beach at Kilvickeon, followed by the dramatic Carsaig Arches. However, we stopped for petrol and learnt our first lesson about life on the Isle of Mull. Don’t underestimate the time it takes to get anywhere!

Top 10 Things to do on the Isle of Mull - West Coast Drive

Kilvickeon Beach was a 45-minute drive and 20-minute walk and Carsaig would have taken 2 hours there and back. In addition, what we imagined was a 30-minute drive to Calgary, via the scenic route would be a minimum of 2 hours.

We had a re-group. As we were here for the scenery, the West Coast drive sounded spectacular, so we chose to circumnavigate the island instead.”

For more of Scotland’s wild & beautiful beaches, check out my post on my Sandwood Bay walk on the North Coast 500.

Take the West Coast Scenic Drive
Top 10 Things to do on the Isle of Mull

When you are looking at what to do on Mull, do not miss the West Coast Scenic Drive. We wended our way back along the Ross of Mull to a panoramic crossroads and took the road marked to Calgary via the scenic route. The journey up the west coast took us over 2 hours but it was worth every second! As with so many of our experiences in Scotland, the journey was so much more than the destination. We weaved our way along the coast road encountering spectacular views every mile of the way. We stopped regularly for the sheep and cows who owned the road and often had to back up for traffic coming in the opposite direction. Take your time and savour every moment.

Want to try an epic train ride? Check out Everything you need to know to ride the Hogwarts Train, Scotland.

Enjoy Calgary Beach
Top 10 Things to do on the Isle of Mull

Eventually, we made it to Calgary Beach which is much-touted as the best silver-sand beach on Mull. We felt it wasn’t a patch on Fidden. However, it is more suited to daytrippers and was a popular place to stop for a few hours or overnight. Calgary is also home to Calgary Arts in Nature, an artists workshop, sculpture walk and the first café we had encountered since Duart Castle (and toilets, to boot!).

Shop at Tobermory
Top 10 Things to do on the Isle of Mull Tobermory

From Calgary to Tobermory the roads go inland and are much quicker, but also busier. This is where you feel you are rejoining the world again. Tobermory is the pretty main town and an important stop for any itinerary of the best things to do on the Isle of Mull. Sitting in a quiet bay, Tobermory is picture-perfect with colourful houses and shops all along the waterfront.

Stay a while to reflect on an amazing day, do a bit of shopping for local produce and relax in a café before the easy drive back to the ferry.”

Want more Celtic road trips? See The Ring of Kerry, A 3 Day Self Drive Itinerary & The Ring of Beara. A Road Less Travelled

Where else?

If you decide to stay longer and want to know more fantastic things to do on Mull, then here is a list which would be my recommendations.

Discover the Isle of Iona
Top 10 Things to do on the Isle of Mull

When you are down at Fionnphort, you can take a ferry out to the sacred Isle of Iona. The ferries run every 30 minutes throughout the summer and it takes 10 minutes to take the 1-mile journey. Please note, that you are not allowed to take a car unless you have a special permit. The spiritual heart of the island is Iona Abbey, Nunnery and the graveyard of many of Scotland’s early kings (including Macbeth). It is also believed to be the place where the famous Book of Kells was transcribed before being taken to Ireland. It is now the key draw at Trinity College in Dublin.

Love the Scottish Islands? See Top 15 Picks for your Perfect Isle of Skye Itinerary & 16 Fantastic Things to do on Lewis & Harris in the Outer Hebrides.

Take a Wildlife Boat Tour

The Isle of Mull is the best place in Europe to spot white-tailed sea eagles. As a result, Mull has gained the nickname ‘Eagle Island’.

These magnificent creatures have a 2-metre wingspan. They became extinct from Britain in the 1900’s but were successfully reintroduced in the 70s and have thrived here ever since.”

In addition, you may be lucky enough to see puffins, otters, dolphins, porpoises, seals or whales. Minke whales can be spotted here between June and August. Try Mull Eagle Watch or Nature Scotland and book ahead to avoid disappointment.

Top 10 Things to do on the Isle of Mull - Tobermorey

Love wildlife? See also Amazing 8 Day Boat Tour of the Galápagos Islands and How to Choose a Boat Tour in the Galápagos

Taste some delicious Local Produce

If sampling locally produced food is something that appeals, then check out the Mull and Iona Food Trail. Here, they are committed to celebrating the amazing produce and hospitality from the islands and gives a directory of producers, farm shops and places to eat to sample the best things that the Isle of Mull has to offer.

If you are looking for a more liquid-based experience, then head for the Tobermory Distillery. You can take a tour and sample the 2 distinct malt whiskies produced here. You will also find Tobermory handmade chocolate available to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Hike or Walk
Top 10 Things to do on the Isle of Mull - The Oban Ferry

There are plenty of hiking and walking trails on the Isle of Mull for all abilities and ambitions. We’ve already mentioned Kilvickeon Beach which is a pleasant and short walk.

For something more challenging you could choose to take on Ben More, the highest mountain and only Munro (Scottish mountains over 3000ft) on the Isle of Mull.”

There are also numerous fantastic looking walks around Calgary and Tobermory. Check out the Isle of Mull website for more choice and all the details.

How to get to the Isle of Mull
Top 10 Things to do on the Isle of Mull - Duart Castle

Getting to Mull is easy by ferry from Oban, with regular sailing a number of times a day. The trip takes about 45 minutes and you need to check in 30 minutes ahead of departure. Make sure you book well in advance to ensure the timing allows you to make the most of the island. We caught the 6.45am ferry and although very early, it meant we got Duart Castle pretty much to ourselves. Check out all the sailing times and details at Calmac. It was well worth the early start.

Practicalities
Top 10 Things to do on the Isle of Mull

Although there are bus routes across the Isle of Mull allowing access to the main villages, the best way to see the island is to have your own transport. Ideally fill up with petrol before you leave the mainland, although there are a few small petrol stations, gas here is more expensive and you would hate to run out and get stranded on some of these isolated routes!

In terms of toilet facilities, take advantage of any you find as for us they were few and far between (especially on the Ross of Mull and the West Coast Road until Calgary).

Where to stay on the Isle of Mull

As I went to Mull purely for a one-day trip, we stayed overnight in Oban. However, if you decide to extend your stay on the Isle of Mull, then I would advise that you book early to avoid disappointment. For me, in Tobermory, I like the look of Linndhu House. Or for something a little grander how about Glengorm Castle? If you are heading to Iona, then I love the idea of Iona Pods or St Columba Hotel. Alternatively, if you fancy getting away from it all with your tent, why not try Fidden Farm? You can use the map below to find your perfect bed for the night.

Booking.com

I loved my day on the Isle of Mull and it truly was a highlight of my spectacular trip to Scotland. My next stop was Fort William for more magnificent scenery, gorgeous hikes and the infamous Harry Potter train. I hope you’ll join me next time…

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26 Comments

  1. My first thought was “Whow, stop! Is this Scotland?!”
    And to be honest, I knew they had some pretty beahces, but this is amazing! Yet another reason to start planning that trip!

    1. Thank you, Ann & I felt exactly the same way when I saw some of these beaches – had to pinch myself that we were in Scotland. You definitely need to get planning on your trip 😉 Sue x

  2. Your posts are showing me so much about Scotland. A day trip to visit the Isle of Mull. Those beaches would draw me too. But hubby would definitely be sidetracked by the sheep. It was funny to see the town of Tobermory. There is a Tobermory at home here in Ontario and we almost visited there last week. Yours looks far more scenic.

    1. Thank you, Linda, & I agree there’s something for everyone…as long as you enjoy the gorgeous scenery & slower pace of life! Sue x

  3. Scotland has been on my bucket list for a while now. It’s time to go after it. When the 2020 mess is over I am seriously making a plan and hopping over there. Thanks for the inspiration, will add Mull Island to the itinerary 🙂

  4. Western Scotland has so much to offer, often ignored by tourists. I have toured this area, but not explored Isle of Mull yet. I love these adventurous drives with twists and turns and ‘passing places’ ! Good to hear that there are castles, deserted beaches and local produce. I will explore this isle when I am in Scotland soon. 🙂

    1. Thank you, Jan & really pleased that you are adding Mull to your next visit. If you enjoy leisurely drives (which I know you do!), you will not be disappointed. Sue x

  5. What a great list! We loveeee road tripping so getting some hikes in and then taking off on a wildlife boat tour would be perfect. I’m also going to check out your Galapagos post! We are hoping to plan a trip there in the next year or so!

  6. Scotland is stunning! I’d love to get to Mull, and Iona looks lovely, as well. Did you see any puffins? That’s another grand master plan of mine, Scotland or Iceland. Great tip on the toilets and the gas!

    1. Thank you, Heather & I’m now in love with Scotland too! Unfortunately, we missed the puffins. We were planning a boat trip but the lady literally messaged her colleague while we were in the office & they had literally just left. A few puffins were there the day before but our timing was just slightly off! But it’s always good to have a reason to return… Sue x

    2. Hi Sue! I found your blog here while trip planning for next year. Thank you for providing such considerate and well thought out information. Interesting and very useful!

      1. Thank you Sarah! I’m really pleased you have found my content so useful…& enjoy Mull. Very jealous!

  7. This looks lovely. I’ve never been to Scotland. WE have close friends and Scotland is their spiritual home. They go to Iona almost every year. Between them and you I think I better put Scotland on the list! One day . . . . .

  8. So glad you loved Mull! How cute is Tobermory?! I was also really surprised by how long it took to get anywhere, haha. That 2 hour coastal drive almost made us miss the ferry to Iona! On that note, if you do manage to make it back there, I highly recommend going over to Iona. We loved it! Also a trip out to Staffa (and Lunga, if the chance arises), that’s genuinely one of the best things we’ve done in Scotland.

    1. Thank you Clazz & great tips. If I knew how much I would love Mull, I would have planned to spend more time there. I am off to Harris & lewis on my next trip & so excited for that bit. Will have to keep Iona, Staffa & Lunga for next time!

  9. Mull, frankly, spoiled me – I have gone back several times over the years and have never been disappointed with revisiting old discoverys, and finding more. I can’t recommend it more!

    1. Thank you Robert & I completely agree. I fell in love with Mull & hope to return for longer next time to explore some more.

  10. I have just been looking at your Day to the Isle of Mull you did in 2020 and it looks amazing. Im off to Scotland on Saturday and will be staying about 40 minutes from Oban in Kentallen . How many hours do you think I would need to complete your suggested road trip? Im hoping to book the ferry soon so would be great if you were able to give me a rough estimate so I know what times to book.
    Thanks in advance for your help! 🙂

    1. Hi Sharon & thank you so much for your comment. I’m so pleased you like the look of the itinerary & so jealous that you’re off to Mull! I loved it there. I have had a look back at the details of my trip. It looks like we got the ferry at 6.45am, so an early start and we got the ferry back at 16.45. It was a full day but I don’t think we would have wanted to cut it any shorter. I hope that helps & please keep let me know how it goes!

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