Located just off of the town of Oban in Scotland’s inner Hebrides, there are so many things to do in Mull that it makes for an excellent island escape when visiting this beautiful country. Boasting gorgeous, rugged natural scenery, charming towns and engrossing wildlife, Mull is truly and enchanting island to visit in Scotland.
If you’re considering planning a Mull itinerary, then this guide will outline the perfect trip to this stunning island. Located within easy reach of the Scottish mainland, Mull makes for the perfect destination for anyone looking to explore the Hebrides.
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How Many Days on Mull?
On paper, Mull looks like quite a small island (though Mull is the second-largest island in the inner Hebrides) and it may seem as if you don’t need to allot much time to see and do everything there. But there are a surprising amount of things to do on Mull that you may need a few days to feel as if you’ve done the island justice.
So how many days should you spend on Mull? While it is possible to visit Mull as a day trip, I would recommend planning at least 2 full days on the island.
With 2 days in Mull, you can take in the highlights of the island and maybe even hop on the ferry over to Iona for a few hours. Visiting both Mull and Iona is a real treat and shouldn’t be missed if you have the time.
However, if you have 3 days on Mull, you’re really in for a treat. You can either dig deeper on the island itself – perhaps going on a hike or exploring some areas you haven’t gotten to yet – or you could opt to go on a wildlife boat trip.
If you’re fortunate enough to be visiting during the months of April-August, you can view puffins on the island of Lunga just off of Mull or even on the island of Staffa – which is also home to the remarkable Fingal’s Cave!
Getting To & Around Mull
Being an island, Mull is really only accessible for the general public via car ferry. Fortunately, there are frequent sailings between the Isle of Mull and the town of Oban daily. Oban is about 2.5 hours from Edinburgh and roughly 2 hours from Glasgow.
Keep in mind that you generally need to arrive at the ferry terminal at least 30 minutes prior to your boat’s scheduled departure time – if not sooner. You can simply park in the laneway until it comes time to board the boat.
The ferry from Oban to the port in the town of Craignure is just about an hour. As you arrive into Mull, you can also be greeted by wonderful views of Duart Castle from the ferry. From Craignure, it is a further 30-minute drive to the largest town on the island – Tobermory.
Once on Mull, the best way to get around the island is in your own vehicle – in fact, unless you’re on a guided tour, it’s very difficult to get from point A to B on the Isle of Mull if you don’t have your own car.
Note that the roads on Mull – though well maintained – are narrow and often single-track with passing places, so make sure to drive carefully during your Isle of Mull road trip. You can browse Rentalcars.com to compare prices for car rentals in Scotland.
For those who want to do a day trip over to Iona, another ferry ride is also required. However, it’s worth noting that this is a passenger-only ferry as non-residents aren’t allowed cars on little Iona.
If you don’t want to drive over from the mainland then you can book a multi-day tour that includes Mull such as this 3-day tour from Glasgow or this 4-day tour from Edinburgh.
Things to do in Mull: A 2 to 3 Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Northwest Mull & Tobermory
Arriving into Craignure, spend your first day on Mull taking a long route to Tobermory, which is an excellent place to use as a base while staying on the island.
Eas Fors Waterfall
The first stop on the Isle of Mull should be one of the island’s incredible natural features – the gorgeous Eas Fors Waterfall. However, if you’re coming from Craignure, you could also opt to stop at The Coffee Pot while en route for a little pick-me-up and wonderful home-baked sweets.
Once you’ve made your way to the waterfall, you’ll find a small car park at the base of the falls. Here, on one side of the road, you can find the beautiful upper falls and, across the road, you can view the lower falls as they cascade into the sea below the cliffs.
There is not much of a walk required from the car park to the falls here, so this can make a great, quick stop to get a taste of the spectacular scenery that is to come when you visit the Isle of Mull.
Calgary Beach
While visiting beaches may not have been at the top of the list when heading to a Scottish island, there are plenty of gorgeous white sand beaches on Mull that are worth making your way to – the most popular is the beautiful Calgary Beach.
This beach is a lovely stretch of white sand overlooking Calgary Bay that is very easy to access from a dedicated car park. Nearby, you can also find Calgary Art in Nature, which is a lovely little nature trail filled with interesting art sculptures from local artists.
Langamull Beach
If you’re up for a bit of a walk, then consider heading over to Langamull Beach from your visit to Calgary. This beach isn’t nearly as popular as the former stretch of sand, though it is absolutely beautiful.
Keep in mind that it is about a 30-minute walk from the car park to reach the beach, however, it is worth it once you see the views. This gorgeous white sand beach is perfect for a secluded visit and a great place to enjoy Mull’s incredible coastline.
Loch Torr
Heading a bit inland, it’s time to visit Loch Torr and to see if you can spot some of the island’s famous wildlife – notably, white-tailed eagles and other stunning birds of prey.
On Loch Torr, there is a wildlife observation centre where you can sit quietly and see what kind of bird you can spot all while looking out at some beautiful natural scenery.
There is also plenty of literature here where you can learn a bit about the local wildlife, along with a whiteboard where you can others can record your sightings!
Aros Waterfall
Heading more toward Tobermory, it’s time to visit Aro Park and enjoy yet another gorgeous waterfall! Located just south of the town, the Aros Waterfall is a stunning site to take in and very much worth the stop.
From the car park, it’s only about a 5-minute walk to the upper falls, which is the most impressive part of the waterfall. However, if you’re up for a bit of a stroll, consider walking further down the well-marked trail to the lower falls – it will only take about fifteen minutes and the walk is easy and very pleasant.
In Aros Park, there are also marked trails where you can walk all the way to Tobermory should you wish to keep on going!
Tobermory Distillery
The next stop on your first day in Mull is the Tobermory Distillery, located in the town of Tobermory. This distillery was established in 1798 and produces both whisky and gin.
You can book a guided tour of the distillery where you can learn a little bit more about how their spirits are made along with a tasting, or you can head into their visitor’s centre and have a tasting at the counter if you’d prefer.
For whisky fans, Tobermory produces both peated and unpeated single malts so there is something that will suit every palate here!
Tobermory Lighthouse
Though there has been a bit of walking this day already, it can be worth going on one more easy stroll – to the Tobermory Lighthouse.
This lovely lighthouse is located about 2 kilometres from the centre of the town along an easy, well-marked pathway. The path winds itself along the cliffside and through the forest before giving you lovely views of the sea and the lighthouse.
Explore Tobermory
End your first day in Mull exploring the delightful town of Tobermory. This colourful town is the largest town and capital of the Isle of Mull and it is filled with cute shops, a number of nice restaurants, pubs and other things of interest.
You can also pop into the Mull Aquarium located close to the distillery or learn more about the island at the small Mull Museum.
Grab an ice cream over at Isle of Mull Ice Cream or relax with a pint at one of the many pubs lining the streets. There are also a number of great restaurants to enjoy in the town, as well. Located a bit outside of the centre of the town, you can also find Isle of Mull Cheese and Tobermory Seafood.
Day 2 – Ross of Mull & Iona
Day 2 of this Mull itinerary includes taking in some of the gorgeous scenery on the Ross of Mull and the west coast along with a short jaunt over to the lovely little island of Iona.
Three Lochs Viewpoint
Get an early start on day four, especially if you’re driving from Tobermory as it is a bit of a longer stretch to make your way toward the Ross of Mull.
Make your first stop of the day the lovely Three Lochs Viewpoint – you can enter this into your maps app and there are a couple of places where you can pull over and take in the spectacular views.
The scenery on the entirety of this drive is just beautiful, so make sure to go a bit slowly and pull over whenever there’s a spot – there are plenty of excellent photo-ops on this part of the island!
Fidden Beach
Next, make your way over to the charming little Fidden Beach. This is another of the beautiful, white-sand beaches that you can find on the island. There is also a campsite here for those who prefer to sleep in the great outdoors rather than in a hotel or bed and breakfast.
From this beach, it’s only a few minutes to the town of Fionnphort, where you can catch the ferry over to Iona.
Isle of Iona
Located just off of the town of Fionnphort on the west coast of the island, the Isle of Iona is a compact little island with a lot of history -and it is a lovely place to spend a few hours (or an entire day, if you have the time). Known as the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland, the abbey on the island is a pilgrimage site for many.
You can reach Iona via passenger ferry from Fionnphort – they run frequently each day and only take about fifteen minutes. Once on Iona, the main attraction is undoubtedly the Iona Abbey – which is about a 10-minute walk from the ferry terminal.
Established by St Columba in 563 CE, this abbey is stunning and a very interesting place to visit. Keep in mind that there is an entry fee to get into the church site.
Before you reach the abbey, you will also pass by the Iona Nunnery – a ruined convent that was first established in the 13th Century – this is free to visit and is also fascinating to wander around.
If you have a bit more time on Iona, there are also plenty of lovely beaches to visit along with nice walks to enjoy. As a relatively flat island, it can also be a great idea to hire a bike and cycle around the island to see as much as possible.
Ardalandish Beach
Heading back to the mainland, it’s time to take in yet another lovely beach – Ardalandish Beach. This is another gorgeous stretch of soft, white sand that looks particularly dramatic against the backdrop of the Isle of Mull.
The beach is accessible in about a 10-minute walk from the car park – the walk is easy and straightforward and very much worth it.
Uisken Beach
If you haven’t had it with beaches quite yet, then consider heading over to lovely little Uisken Beach. Unlike Ardalandish, there is no walk from the car park to the beach, so it can be a great stop for those who are feeling a little bit tired or who don’t want to undergo another walk.
Loch Na Keal
As you make your way back to Tobermory (if that is where you’re staying) consider taking a longer coastal drive to span Loch Na Keal. This is one of the most scenic drives on the island and the views you can get of the cliffs and the coastline is absolutely stunning.
If you’re lucky, you may also spot some otters splashing in the water or some white-tailed eagles soaring in the sky. Drive slowly and make sure to pull over and enjoy the views every so often, you won’t regret it! This is absolutely one of the best things to see on Mull.
Day 3 – Staffa & Wildlife Tour
If you’re lucky enough to have three days to dedicate to your Isle of Mull itinerary, then make sure to take the time to visit the Staffa and head out on a wildlife tour. We recommend going on Staffa Tours‘ Staffa & Treshnish Isles tour which sails from Tobermory and is an excellent day out.
Isle of Staffa & Fingal’s Cave
No matter the time of year you’re visiting Mull, it’s never a bad idea to try to visit the Isle of Staffa – home to the incredible Fingal’s Cave. This cave is made from octagonal basalt columns similar to what you will find at Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway and it is absolutely jaw-dropping.
The cave can be accessed along a maintained pathway – there are handrails – but please do make sure to wear well-gripping shoes to ensure you don’t slip. Because the weather can be quite variable here, it’s also worth making sure you have a good jacket that is waterproof and wind-proof.
Aside from the cave, it’s also very worth hiking around Staffa to take in some of the incredible views. You can also view puffins on the north end of the island, however, if you’re heading to Lunga afterwards, you may not need to make your way all the way there.
Lunga Puffin Colony
The Isle of Lunga is the largest of the Treshnish Isles and is home to its own puffin colony, which houses roughly 3,000 pairs of puffins during their breeding season from the months of April-August. If you’ve ever wanted to see puffins in the wild – this is the place to do it.
After disembarking the boat and making your way across the rocky beach and up the hill, you will be greeted with hundreds and hundreds of puffins within a metre or two of you. Take care as you wander around the island to ensure you’re not stepping on the boroughs and keep a keen eye to find some with beaks full of small fish or sand eels.
This is truly one of the most memorable and remarkable experiences to have when visiting Mull that I highly urge you to plan a day out if you happen to be visiting during the season.
Where to Stay on Mull
Kirk Cottage – This bed and breakfast in Tobermory is the perfect base when visiting the Isle of Mull. They have several cosy rooms to choose from, a great location and a lovely continental breakfast to enjoy each morning.
Burnbank BnB – Located in a historic building in Tobermory, this bed and breakfast is a great option for exploring all Mull has to offer. They have a range of rooms to choose from along with an excellent breakfast for guests in the mornings.
Western Isles Hotel – This plush hotel overlooking Tobermory is an excellent choice for those looking for a very comfortable stay while on the island. They have a range of lovely rooms available, along with an excellent breakfast in the mornings and an on-site restaurant.
Tobermory Youth Hostel – Budget and solo travellers will love this hostel located directly on Tobermory’s colourful main street. They have an array of room types available, good common areas and a continental breakfast available in the morning.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Mull hotels!
There are so many great things to do on the island of Mull that you could easily spend weeks here and not get bored. Whether you’re exploring the charming towns, getting off to see a puffin colony or hiking to the top of Ben More, you’re sure to fall in love with this gorgeous Hebridean island.
Are you planning to visit Mull? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!
