Information about the Isle of Mull
Isle of Mull Information
Mull has a coastline of 300 miles (≈480 km). Its landscape is primarily moorland, with a few peaks, and its climate is moderated by the Gulf Stream. The highest peak on the island is Ben More (3169 ft / 966 metres).
The Isle of Mull (or simply Mull; Muile in Scottish Gaelic) is the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland in the council area of Argyll and Bute.
In the 2001 census the usual resident population of Mull, Iona and Ulva was 1,841; in the summer this is supplemented by many more tourists. Much of the population lives in Tobermory, the only burgh on the island until 1973, and its capital.
Ferry links to Mull from the mainland include Oban to Craignure (approx. 45 minutes), Kilchoan to Tobermory and Lochaline to Fishnish (approx. 15 minutes, suspended in rough weather). The Oban to Craignure link requires car drivers to be there 30 minutes before departure (advance booking strongly advised for summer Saturdays) (locals can usually avoid this, but not in busy summer months). While Fishnish is a further drive north (advanced bookings not required), it is often the quickest route if you are confident with single-track roads.
Ferry links from Mull travel to the surrounding islands of (from Fionnphort) Iona and Ulva. In past years there were direct sailings to Oban (calling at Drimnin, Salen, Lochaline and Craignure – daily except Sunday) and Barra (calling at Coll and Tiree – Monday, Wednesday and Friday – returning direct to Oban on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) from Tobermory. During the summer there was also a sailing to Staffa and Iona from Oban which called at Tobermory.
The Isle of Mull Railway runs from Craignure to Torosay.
Isle of Mull Features
Mull has a coastline of 300 miles (≈480 km). Its landscape is primarily moorland, with a few peaks, and its climate is moderated by the Gulf Stream. The highest peak on the island is Ben More (3169 ft / 966 metres).
The island is home to over 250 different bird species including the White-tailed Sea Eagle, which was reintroduced in the nearby Island of Rùm and migrated to Mull, where they now have a stronghold. Minke whales, porpoises and dolphins are among the sea life that can be seen on boat tours from Mull.
Mull has some historic features, such as the Duart Castle. There are also several shipwrecks around the shores which scuba divers can visit. The mausoleum of Lachlan Macquarie, Governor of New South Wales from 1809 to 1822 may be found on the island (Macquarie had been born on the nearby island of Ulva) and serves as a point of pilgrimage for the few Australians who venture there.
Tour of Mull
The Tour of Mull is a closed road rally event held on the island every October during the 2-week school holidays by the 2300 Club and is the only car road race in Britain. Entrants are serious competitors in serious cars. While the 2300 Club members benefit from their superior cars, the locals benefit from their supreme knowledge of the roads and thus anyone can win. It has been called by many publications including Motoring News as "The Best Rally In The World". However, to many locals the event is a serious inconvenience and the illegal practising beforehand makes the roads extremely dangerous.
Previously sponsored by Philips and Tunnock's, it is now sponsored by Beatsons Building Supply Merchants.
Website: www.mullrally.org
Isle of Mull Movies and TV
Mull has featured in a number of movies over the years. These include Entrapment, Highlander: Endgame, Eye of the Needle, I Know Where I'm Going, Kidnapped (1971) and When Eight Bells Toll.
Just traveling to Mull may lead you through some movie scenes. For example, driving to Mull from the east (to the Lochaline to Fishnish ferry link) may lead you through some of the scenes featured in the Harry Potter movies.
The BBC children's TV series Balamory features Tobermory.
Simon King went on location to Mull for the first week of Springwatch with Bill Oddie, where he observed a resident family of White Tailed Sea Eagles – a male and female named Skye and Frisa respectively, and their two chicks, Itchy and Scratchy.
Gordan Buchanan returns to his native Mull to record a year in the life of the wildlife. First broadcast on BBC2 in October 2005 under the title of 'Eagle Island' the programme focuses on White Tailed Sea Eagles, Golden Eagles, Otters, Minke Whales, Porpoises, Basking Sharks and Dolphins to be found off Mull. The programme lasts 50 minutes.