The Isle of Mull is deservedly well
known as a fantastic place to spend a holiday, with superb walking,
fishing and outdoor pursuits amid spectacular scenery. There is abundant
wildlife and many attractions to visit during your stay.
Mull is the fourth largest Scottish island and has an area of 338 square
miles.
Mull has a spectacular
coastline of 300 miles (480 km) with a varied landscape
or moorland and mountains 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 Rum 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.
Your can also visit attractions such as
Duart Castle. This commanding castle stands proudly on a clifftop
guarding the Sound of Mull and enjoys one of the most spectacular and
unique positions on the West Coast of Scotland and for over 400 years
this has been the base of the Clan Maclean's sea-borne power.
Torosay Castle with its excellent gardens and tearoom is also well worth
a visit.
There are dramatic bays and beaches along the coastline with exceptional
beaches at Calgary and on the Ross of Mull. There are also plenty of
boat trips to nearby islands such as Iona with its famous Abbey and
Chapel; to The Treshnish Isles and Staffa with their excellent birdlife,
including puffins and of course Staffa, with its impressive basalt
columns.
The Isle of Mull has the greatest
biodiversity of any place of comparable size in Britain.
According to your interests, the islands
of
Mull
and Iona can be a wilderness awaiting discovery, a sporting paradise, a
haven of peace and relaxation or simply a charming and beautiful centre
for a Highland holiday away from the cares and pressures of modern
life. Ferries cross to the island at three points: Oban, Lochaline and
Kilchoan. Booking is required during busy summer months on the Oban
ferry, however, the other two are not possible to book, and places are
normally available when required. The Lochaline crossing is a cheaper
option and is used regularly by locals.
HISTORY
Mull and its islands have been continually
inhabited since they became environments able to support man after the
Ice Age. C. 6500 - 3500 BC. Mesolithic hunter-gatherers lived in caves
such as Livingston's cave on Ulva. C. 4000 - 2000 BC Neolithic farmers
people lived here leaving behind burial cairns and stone axes. C. 2500 -
600 BC.
Bronze age 'Beaker' people lived on Mull, their burial cairns, cists,
standing stones, stone circles, and corded beaker pottery and knife
blades record their existence. C. 600 BC - c. AD 400 Iron Age peoples
built forts, brochs, duns, and crannogs, - numerous defensive
settlements on these islands.
The early Christian period began in the 5th Century, with 563 noted for
the arrival from Ireland of St Columba.
Viking times started in 795 when Iona was first sacked, raids continuing
for several centuries. Vikings eventually became settlers in the isles.
The Middle Ages saw the construction of castles such as Moy and Duart,
and chapels such as Pennygown. The clans were, Maclean, MacLaine,
MacKinnon, Macquarrie, and MacDonald. During the 17th to 19th centuries,
clan chiefs and other lairds built 'big' houses, whilst the majority of
islanders lived in tiny black houses in small townships, occupying
shielings in the summer months.
In 1788 Tobermory was built by the British Fisheries Society, as a
planned settlement. Over the centuries Mull's population increased to
10,638 in 1831 but first the Potato Famine and then the Clearances
rapidly reduced this number. By the 20th Century much of the population
had emigrated and there were more sheep on Mull than people.
Today Mull and its neighbouring islands have
a population of nearly 3000. Farming, fishing and forestry used to be
the economic mainstays of the island, but increasingly today, tourism is
responsible for much of the island economy. Fish farming is also very
important for both fin-fish and shellfish.
