Isle of Mull: The Complete Guide

CC BY-SA 4.0 / DeFacto

The Isle of Mull or just Mull is the second-largest island of the Inner Hebrides (after Skye) and lies off the west coast of Scotland in the council area of Argyll and Bute.

Covering 875 square kilometres (338 sq mi), Mull is the fourth-largest island in both Scotland and the United Kingdom. Much of the year-round population lives in the colourful main settlement of Tobermory.

There are two distilleries on the island: the Tobermory distillery, formerly named Ledaig, produces single malt Scotch whisky and another, opened in 2019 and located in the vicinity of Tiroran, which produces Whitetail Gin. Mull is host to numerous sports competitions, notably the Highland Games competition, held annually in July. The isle is home to four castles, including the towering keep of Moy Castle. On the south coast, a stone circle is located in the settlement of Lochbuie.

Visiting Isle of Mull for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Isle of Mull on the first visit. To help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!

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This complete guide to Isle of Mull not only tells you about the very best sights and tourist attractions for first-time visitors to the city but also provide insights into a few of our personal favorite things to do.

This is a practical guide to visiting the best places to see in Isle of Mull and is filled with tips and info that should answer all your questions!

Ben More

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Fi$hcakes

Ben More is the highest mountain on the Isle of Mull and is the remnant of volcano and is the only island Munro outside Skye. Ben More’s name means ‘Great Mountain’ and is a popular hotspot for walkers. On a clear day at the summit you can see the Sound of Mull, the islands of […]

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Visiting Ben More

Aros Castle

CC BY-SA 4.0 / PaulT (Gunther Tschuch)

Aros Castle, also known as Dounarwyse Castle, is a ruined 13th-century castle/ hall house near Salen on the Isle of Mull, Scotland. The castle overlooks the Sound of Mull. It is possible to walk around the ruins of the castle at your own risk. What does Aros Castle look like? The castle was protected by […]

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Location: Aros Castle Aros PA72 6JL | Distance: 9.6km

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Visiting Aros Castle

Eas Fors Waterfall

CC BY-SA 2.0 / David Baird

Eas Fors Waterfall is one of the most spectacular waterfalls on the island, situated just off the B8073, a couple of miles North of Ulva Ferry. There is free parking just beyond the waterfall, and it is then a 30 second walk to reach it. Eas Fors consists of a series of three waterfalls, the […]

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Visiting Eas Fors Waterfall

Lochbuie Standing Stones

CC BY-SA 4.0 / PaulT (Gunther Tschuch)

One of the best places to see evidence of prehistoric activity on Mull is the small stone circle at Lochbuie. It is the only one on Mull and stands in the grounds of Lochbuie House. The circle of standing stones dating from the Bronze Age and was originally nine granite stones, about 12 metres in […]

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Visiting Lochbuie Standing Stones

Moy Castle

CC BY-SA 4.0 / PaulT (Gunther Tschuch)

Moy Castle, a 15th century ruinous tower in a fantastic scenic location by the sea, long a property of the MacLaines, at Lochbuie, on the south coast of the Hebridean island of Mull. Description of Moy Castle The castle comprises a three-storey tower house with a garret. Much of the surviving stonework can be dated […]

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Location: Moy Castle, Isle of Mull, Lochbuie, UK | Distance: 12.8km

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Visiting Moy Castle

Tobermory Distillery

CC BY-SA 4.0 / DeFacto

Established in 1798, Tobermory Distillery is, as the name suggests, also based in the town. The original and only distillery on the island and one of the oldest commercial distilleries in Scotland. Originally known as Ledaig, the distillery has had its ups and downs, closing on a number of occasions, but over the past 20 […]

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| Hours: 10am-5pm | Price: Tours £8 | Website | Distance: 20.6km

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Visiting Tobermory Distillery

Tobermory

CC BY-SA 4.0 / DeFacto

It is a bustling little harbour lined with rainbow coloured houses and shopfronts. It is located on the east coast of Mishnish, the most northerly part of the island, near the northern entrance of the Sound of Mull.  It’s the perfect place for a stroll, the pier is lined with fishing ropes and creels, a […]

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Visiting Tobermory

Fingal’s Cave and Staffa

GNU 1.2 / Hartmut Josi Bennöhr

Staffa is an island of the Inner Hebrides in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The Vikings gave it this name as its columnar basalt reminded them of their houses, which were built from vertically placed tree-logs. It is famous for the sea cave Fingal’s Cave which is known for its natural acoustics and basalt columns, in […]

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Visiting Fingal’s Cave and Staffa

Duart Castle

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Philippe Giabbanelli

 Duart Castle, or Caisteal Dhubhairt in Scottish Gaelic, is a castle on the Isle of Mull, beside the Sound of Mull off the west coast of Scotland, within the council area of Argyll and Bute. The  Castle sits on a craggy rock along the coastline is home to clan MacLean. During spring, the castle gardens […]

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| Hours: 10.30am-5pm daily May–mid-Oct, 11am-4pm Sun-Thu Apr | Price: adult/child £7/3.50 | Website | Distance: 21.3km

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Visiting Duart Castle

Tobermory Lighthouse

CC BY-SA 3.0 / User:Colin

Rubha nan Gall lighthouse is located north of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull beside the Sound of Mull. The name means “Stranger’s Point” in Scottish Gaelic. It was built in 1857 by David and Thomas Stevenson and is operated by the Northern Lighthouse Board. The lighthouse was automated in 1960 and the nearby former […]

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Visiting Tobermory Lighthouse

Calgary Beach

CC BY-SA 2.5 / Traveler100

Calgary beach is located about 5 miles to the west of Dervaig. Today, it is a haven of white shell sand and blue sea, a picture perfect impression of what a beach in the Hebrides should look like. It is a safe environment where adults and children can relax and enjoy themselves in stunning surroundings. […]

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Visiting Calgary Beach

Iona Abbey

CC BY-SA 4.0 / PaulT (Gunther Tschuch)

Founded by St Columba, Iona Abbey is noted for its peaceful location, beautiful granite buildings , unique cloister carvings and Celtic crosses. This beautiful & imposing building stands alone and can be seen as you look to the right from the ferry as you cross the Sound of Iona. Given the population now & size […]

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| Hours: 9.30am-5.30pm Apr-Sep, 10am-4pm Oct-Mar | Price: adult/child £7.50/4.50 | Website | Distance: 26.7km

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Visiting Iona Abbey