White sands at Calgary Bay, Isle of Mull |
According to the United
Nation's lists, the Isle of Mull which is 367 square
miles in area is the 300th largest island in the World,
as well as being one of the larger islands in Scotland.
Unlike the Isle of Skye to the north which is connected
to mainland Britain by a bridge (which is in turn
connected to Europe by a tunnel), the Isle of Mull is
only reachable by aeroplane or by a ferry operated by
Caledonian MacBrayne. Prior to the Clearances, the census of 1821 showed a population of 10,612 people living on the island with 850 resident in Tobermory, the capital. |
| The Clearances forced
native people off the land during the middle part of the
19th Century, with the population of Tobermory rising to
a peak of 1,850 by the 1871 census. Today, thanks to 19th
Century English policies and better job prospects
elsewhere, Mull is now mainly an empty and lonely place
with less than 3000 people living on the island, 700 in
Tobermory. The Isle of Mull today is perhaps one of the friendliest and most welcoming places to visit. Tobermory, the capital of Mull is a delightful town with colourful buildings lining the harbour. There is plenty of B+B accommodation and a Youth Hostel. There is a campsite at Newdale a mile above the town. There is a Co-Op in Tobermory and a ferry service runs to Kilchoan, near the tip of the Ardnamurchan Penninsula. The Mishnish Hotel is well worth a visit with it's long opening hours and live music. |
| The journey from Tobermory
to Fionnphort in the south of the island is quite long,
60 miles. Apart from a recently improved stretch outside
Tobermory and 11 miles between Salen and Craignure, the
roads on the island are single track with passing places.
At the centre of the island is Ben More, an extinct volcanoe. At over 3000 feet high it is one of the Munroes, and is often saved till last by Munroe walkers. Basalt columns are evident on Mull as well as nearby Staffa. |
 |
| There is so much to see on Mull, museums, wildlife centres, interesting villages and heritage sites. The regular visitor will be made welcome time and time again and become a part of the community. |
