Holiday on the Isle of Mull

The Isle of Mull off the west coast of Scotland is a popular holiday destination for people from across the world. Whilst some folk come for a day trip, many spend anything from a couple of days to several weeks enjoying island hospitality and exploring the wonderful scenery and wildlife of Mull and its neighbouring islands. Mull and Iona have a good range of accommodation from bed and breakfasts to self catering cottages to hotels. There are a number of excellent places to eat offering local produce and the local whiskey must be sampled. Most of the island has single track roads so do check out tips on the best way to drive on these roads before you go.

There are many places to explore on Mull and its surrounding islands and plenty of wildlife, including the magnificent sea eagles, to be seen. Most of the accommodation providers will help people decide what they wish to see and suggests wildlife trips that can be taken. For shorter breaks people often choose to stay in a bed and breakfast where they have the added benefit of their hosts' local knowledge and experience. For those wanting the independence of self-catering information packs are often provided. There is also a Visit Scotland Tourist Information Centre in Craignure.

Most people come here by car and will need information about the ferries between Mull and the mainland as well as how to drive on single track roads (always use the passing spaces to allow approaching vehicles to pass and overtaking if the vehicle behind you would like to pass; and always stay to the left hand side even if that means stopping opposite a passing space). Should folk want to leave their cars behind it is possible, with some planning, to get around the island using public transport. For the more energetic visitors bicycles can be hired to explore the island.

Tobermory is a thriving village and is often referred to as the capital of Mull. There are many bed and breakfasts and other types of accommodation to choose from and plenty of choice for eating out. The village has an excellent arts centre called An Tobar and the Mull Theatre which attracts touring theatre companies as well as putting on their own productions. Tobermory also boasts a small but excellent museum which, along with the Ross of Mull Historical Centre based in Bunessan, offers useful information for people wanting to research their family history. There is the Tobermory Distillery and a range of different shops to visit also.

Mull and its neighbouring islands of Iona, Ulva, Staffa and the Treshnish Isles have some spectacular scenery and, if you get the weather on your side, offer some of the most beautiful places to visit on this planet. Iona is a small island with a rich history and is reached by ferry from the village of Fionnphort down the southwest end of Mull. A visit to the Abbey is essential however the whole island has a calming spiritual atmosphere. If you have time to walk to the northwest of the island you will find some beautiful sandy beaches with more of the unusual pink marbled granite that make up this part of Mull and Iona. Another unforgettable experience is a trip to Staffa with its basalt columns, and in the months of April to early August you can combine Staffa with a visit to Lunga (one of the Treshnish Isles) where you can see puffins and many other species of seabird.

Mull itself has a surprising range of different landscapes including dramatic cliffs, sea and inland lochs, beautiful beaches, and mountains including its very own munro Ben More. There are also castles to explore. If you like eating out you will be spoilt for choice as there are some good restaurants and cafes offering local produce across the island. The island of Mull is an excellent holiday location for wildlife enthusiasts, bird watchers, walkers, cyclists, geologists and anyone who wants to experience a relaxing, peaceful holiday in a beautiful, unspoilt part of the world.