Located off the west coast of Scotland and found within the Inner Hebrides, The Isle of Mull is a wildlife paradise and has some of the most spectacular beaches. Only a short 46-minute ferry ride from Oban to Craignure, this island gem is a dream for outdoor adventurers full of waterfalls, hills, lochs, forests and clear turquoise water beaches. A single-track road runs around the perimeter of the island with numerous passing places, this forces you to take it slow and soak in the views. The Isle of Mull is perfect for a road trip by campervan and getting your fix of adventure.
1. Loch Buie
This remote village used to have its own post office which has since been converted into a lovely cafe serving delicious fresh seafood, cakes and hot drinks. There are plenty of walks from Lochbuie heading west towards Carsaig or you can head east to Laggan sands, passing Moy castle and you’ll find beautiful Highland cows roaming the beach. A Bronze Age stone circle and standing stone are also within a short walking distance of the car park.
How to get to Loch Buie:
From Craignure, head west towards Ardura and follow a single track road until you reach Loch Buie. If you drive past the car park and past the Old Post Office and over the bridge there are a wild camping spots available for a suggested donation of £5 per night. Donations can be made at The Old Post Office cafe. There are toilets available that are left open overnight at the cafe. Please respect the environment and do not empty your chemical waste down the toilet.
2. Isle of Iona
The isle of Iona is a small, remote island found off the southwest coast of Mull also known as the Ross of Mull. The island is known for being the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland and is only accessible by a ferry boat from Fionnphort. Macbeth, King of Scotland was buried at Iona Abbey alongside many other monarchs. Take a day trip to the island where you can explore the terrain by foot, spot wildlife along the way and visit some of the incredible beaches including North End beach and the White Strand.
How to get to the Isle of Iona:
Most cars are not allowed on the isle, however, there is a passenger ferry in Fionnphort. There are two main car parks, one is next to Fionnphort beach which charges, however, there is a free overflow car park opposite the Columba centre. The ferry only takes 10 minutes and costs £3.70 per adult return ticket.
3. Calgary bay
Perhaps one of the most well-known beaches on Mull, Calgary Bay is popular for a reason. The beach is framed by steep hills eitherside where Eagles glide in the sky above. A short 35 minute drive from Tobermory, the bay of Calgary is backed by a unique habitat known as machair full of grasses and flowers. A beautiful beach with white sand, rocky pools at low tide and a great place to watch the sunset.
How to get to Calgary Bay:
There are facilities nearby including toilets and an ice cream shop. There is the option to wild camp here on the beach either in a tent or campervan in the car park closer to the toilets. There is another car park by the ice cream shop which asks for a donation to stay overnight.
4. Tobermory
Tobermory is on the east coast and is the main harbour fishing town on the Isle of Mull. The town is well known for its colourful buildings lining the harbour front and was featured in the BBC children’s programme Balamory. There is an aquarium opposite the main car park which is Europe’s first catch and release aquarium and also a Distillery which offers guided tours. The main high street has a pharmacy, hotels, restaurants, pubs, and gift shops including an incredible soap shop. There is a lovely coastal walk to Rubha nan Gal lighthouse from the harbour which features amazing views over the Sound of Mull.
How to get to Tobermory:
You can park in the large Ledaig car park which is free to park all day and does not allow overnight parking. You can also park for free along the harbour front.
5. Uisken Bay
Uisken Bay is a sheltered sandy bay located on the south coast of Mull. This beach allows you to stay overnight for £5 per person per night right next to the beach and has to be in our opinion, one of the best spots on the island. The sheltered bay provides the perfect opportunity to paddleboard or kayak to nearby pristine beaches including Kilvickeon Beach.
How to get to Uisken Bay:
To reach Uisken Bay, you will follow the A849 road to Bunessan and turn left onto a road towards Uisken. Along this route, you will pass a sign to Ardalanish Isle of Mull Weavers. Follow the road and once you reach the beach there is a small car park. Or if you’d like to stay the night, carry on down the track where you can park right up next to the beach stay for the night for £5 per person per night. You must walk back up the road to pay Sheila who owns the land.
6. Treshnish Isles
The Treshnish Isles are a group of 8 small islands located on the west coast of the Isle of Mull. Whilst on the Isle of Iona we could see the isles and they reminded us of battleships out on the ocean. Lunga is home to thousands of puffins, seals, guillemots, razorbill, shag and many other sea birds. Puffins are best seen on Lunga from mid-April till early August and the puffins will be happy to see you as you help protect them from predators such as nearby eagles. Also, part of the Treshnish isles, the Isle of Staffa is a geological wonder which inspired Menhollsen to compose an overture after his visit to the incredible Isle.
How to get to the Treshnish Isles:
We took a wildlife tour with Staffa tours which took us to the Isle of Lunga and the Isle of Staffa. There are other tour providers that can take you on wildlife tours from Oban (mainland Scotland), Fionnphort (Mull) and Tobermory (Mull).
7. Loch Na Keal
Located on the west coast of Mull is the Ardmeanach peninsula, home to Loch Na Keal. Drive along the mountain pass at Tiroran and follow the road to the northern shore where Loch Na Keal will come into view as you descend to the coastline. This is perhaps one of the best drives on the island, where once you reach the coastline, high cliffs hug the road and the road swerves around the rocks. There are plenty of spots to park up along the coast and attempt to spot some of the many wildlife roaming the island including sea eagles, deer and even otters.
How to get to Loch Na Keal:
From Balevulin, follow the B8305 towards Knock and you will find plenty of parking spots along the road. There is a grass verge parking for one of the walking routes to climb up Ben More.
8. Three lochs viewpoint
If you are arriving by ferry from Oban to Craignure, follow the A849 road from Lochdon to Craig. This route will take you through incredible mountain scenery and Mull’s tallest Munroe is Ben More at 914m. Along this route, you will pass over a small crossroads at Ishriff and after 1km you will reach the Three lochs viewpoint. This view overlooks the valley and across the three lochs; Loch an Eilein, Loch an Ellen and Loch Airde Glais and is a great spot to see Golden Eagles.
How to get to Three lochs viewpoint:
If you are arriving by ferry from Oban to Craignure, turn left off the ferry and drive along the A849 towards Ishriff and you will pass over a crossroad. Continue for approximately 1km and the viewpoint car park will be on your left.
9. Fidden
Fidden is found on the southwest coast of Mull also known as the Ross of Mull. Here you will find a beautiful beach with pink granite rocks, white sand and clear water looking across to the Isle of Iona. We enjoyed staying at Fidden Farm campsite for the night which is a fantastic place to watch the sunset.
How to get to Fidden:
Follow the road from Fionnphort towards Fidden Farm campsite. The beach is a short walk from the farm where you can stay at the campsite which has showers and toilets.
10. Knockvologan & Isle of Erraid
We may have saved the best till last, Knockvologan is perhaps one of the best beaches on the Isle of Mull. It does require some effort to get there, but as with most places that require effort to get there the reward is much greater and usually means fewer people! Knockvologan is a beautiful sheltered sandy bay perfect to spend the day exploring and relaxing in this piece of paradise. At low tide, you can walk across to the Isle of Erraid but make sure to take notes of the tidal times so that you can make it back safely.
How to get to Knockvologan & Isle of Erraid:
Follow the road from Fionnphort towards Fidden farm and follow the road left toward Knockvologan famr where you can park. There is very limited parking here so please park considerately as it is a working farm.
