With 300 miles of crystal-clear waters lapping the island’s coastline, and lots of sandy coves with sheltered seas to discover, Mull makes a prime destination for cold water and wild swimmers. But where are the best cottages to stay at for wild swimming on Mull?

North of the Island

Our picks for wild swimmers in the north of the island centre around the white shell-sand coves at Calgary and Croig.

Cnoc Deaghuinn is a charming cottage for six a short walk from the coast at Croig, where you can follow tracks to reach glorious hidden beaches at Port na Ba. Especially lovely for a sunset swim, thanks to the westerly aspect!

At Calgary, we bring you three properties all in one convenient location, where the sculpture Art in Nature trail leads you almost from the door, down through woodland, to the horseshoe-shaped beach at Calgary Bay. The Cart Studio, East Loft and West Loft each sleep two, with the lofts welcoming dogs too.

South of the Island

The Ross of Mull may only be a few miles wide at its narrowest point, but it’s home to more beaches than you could squeeze into a week! In this part of the island, turquoise waters and white sand mix with pink granite outcrops for truly stunning beaches.

Tigh na Failte, a dog friendly cottage for six in Fionnphort, takes top spot for wild swimmers here, with the beach quite literally at the bottom of the garden!

Shore Croft, a cosy stone cottage for two, comes hot on its heels, perched just above the sheltered bay of Uisken beach.

Meanwhile, adventurous spirits will be delighted by the opportunities for wild swimming on Mull when staying at Ploughman’s Cottage and The Pod at Scoor, with multiple hidden sandy bays to discover within a short hike from the house, including Kilvickeon beach.

The Sea Shanty will also appeal, with a short walk over the hill delivering guests directly to the beach at Tor Mor.

Wherever you base yourself, wild swimming on Mull offers endless adventurous, from cool coastal swims to enchanting waterfall plunges. Read our guide to some wild swim spots on the Isle of Mull to dip your toes and book your cottage today.

Sauna

Deep heat with an equally good-for-the-soul view, head to one of the Island Sauna Shack’s pop-up locations to enjoy a Hebridean take on sauna culture. 

You’ll find them at locations including Salen Old Pier and Calgary Bay, so you can sauna with a stunning view, before taking an invigorating salt water plunge!

Cold Water Swimming

Which brings us on to an outdoor wellness experience that can be enjoyed in almost all corners of Mull – wild swimming. Mull is home to many sheltered coves that offer clear waters in which to enjoy an invigorating cold water swim for those suitably equipped and prepared. 

Uisken in the south west of the island and Craig in the north west are popular wild swimming spots among locals, or for an in-land experience, you could take a dip in the stunning Ben More pools. Discover more about wild swimming on Mull.  

Forest Bathing

Whether you wander deep into the fragrant forests that are thickly planted with spruce and pine, or explore one of Mull’s beautiful deciduous woodlands, there’s the chance to embrace this meditative wellness experience that hails from Japan. 

Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the woodland, whether amid the leafy boughs and tumbling waterfalls at Tobermory’s Aros Park, or the beautiful ancient woodlands along the River Lussa’s banks at Ardura.

Beach Yoga

This is one for all the family to get involved in! Simply bring a mat, pick a beach (our local’s guide gives you plenty to try!) and get stretching! 

Yoga is a great way to slow down, relax your mind and body and tune back in to your natural rhythms and surroundings. Pick a west coast beach like Traigh na Cille or Fidden at sunset for an even more restorative view.

Hiking

This Isle of Mull outdoor wellness experience is for those with plenty of energy! Getting out in nature is great for the soul, tuning you back in to the birdsong, wildlife and wildflowers around you, while your endorphins pump thanks to a strenuous climb. 

Mull has many fantastic hiking routes, whether you want to take on a coastal adventure like the tidal hikes to MacKinnon’s Cave or the Carsaig Arches, or bag the island’s munro, Ben More. Find route maps, walks to try and more in our guide to hiking on Mull

Which of these outdoor wellness experiences will you try next time you escape to Mull?

The cascading falls of the Tobermory River set the scene as you descend the Eas Brae to arrive at Tobermory’s harbourfront and Main Street, where the centuries-old whisky distillery awaits. 

Where to find the Tobermory Distillery

Conveniently located with access from the Ledaig carpark, the Tobermory Distillery first began distilling whiskies in 1798, with a legacy of over 200 years of whisky making on the island. The distillery continues to thrive to this day, with a fine range of whiskies to sample that combine its historic roots with new, exciting takes on the spirit too.

Tours and tastings at the Tobermory Distillery

The Tobermory Distillery offers excellent tours and tastings, which you can book in advance via their website, or by calling into the distillery’s visitor centre, and typically take around an hour. This makes a great activity in any season, but especially so on a dreicher Mull day, where the steam curls dramatically above the river as it flows into the bay. 

You can also book just a tasting, which typically lasts 45 minutes, or for true connoisseurs, the warehouse whisky tasting, where you’ll sample spirit drawn straight from the cask.

Whichever you choose, a warm Highland welcome awaits as you step into the visitor centre, which is atmospherically lit and decorated to immediately get you into the spirit. 

From here, an expert guide will begin the distillery tour, taking you on a journey through the entire whisky making production process. As you navigate the site, cocooned between hill and sea, you’ll get to see the copper stills and mash tuns in action, while the guide explains each step of the production process.

After exploring the production areas, you’ll then enter the altogether different feeling cask room. It is in here that barrels of whisky wait to slowly mature. Your guide will explain the different types of barrels used and how this can impart a unique flavour to the whisky within. 

Finally – and the highlight for many! – the tour culminates in the cosy tasting room, where an expert guide will lead you through sampling both a Tobermory dram and a Ledaig dram, the Tobermory Distillery’s two signature whiskies. The Tobermory being lighter, while the Ledaig has a fantastically smokey flavour, being a peated whisky. 

The designated driver need not miss out, as your drams can be bottled to take away with you and enjoy from the comfort of your cottage by the fire.

Flavours of Mull

The distillery also houses a shop, so you can purchase whiskies direct from the distillery to take home and enjoy the flavours of Mull from further afield. There’s also the opportunity to purchase a distillery exclusive – these are small batch whiskies, ideal for whisky connoisseurs – as well as limited edition single malts and, a more recent addition to the distillery, Tobermory Gin too.

Fishing on Mull varies from deep water sea fishing from a boat for giant skate, to hiking up to one of the island’s many hill lochs where you may catch the colourful brown trout. 

If you are holidaying here and are relatively new to fishing, or perhaps trying fishing for the first time, then it is a good idea to head to Tackle and Books in Tobermory who sell a very good range of fishing tackle, including affordable starter rod setups as well as permits, which are required for the freshwater rivers and lochs. Experienced anglers are also well catered for here and may also get some good advice on areas to try.

Sea Fishing on the Isle of Mull

You may fish from the coast without any need of a permit and you can try your luck at any stretch of coastline around the island, however read on for some top tips on areas to try, captured below in a handy map so you can easily spot locations near to where you’re staying.

What can you catch when Mull sea fishing? 

Depending on the time of year, the most commonly caught species around the island will be pollock (year-round) or mackerel, which can be caught from June onwards most seasons. Most people will sea fish using a spinner or spoon, which when reeled back in through the water replicates the motion of a prey fish. Of course, there are numerous other species you have the potential to catch but pollock and mackerel are the most reliable!

Where to go sea fishing on Mull

Rubh nan Gall

One of the closest fishing points to Tobermory, a short walk from the harbour with good access to open waters at the northern end of the Sound of Mull.

Duart Point

Good fishing into deep waters at the southern end of the Sound of Mull, with the fabulous backdrop of the castle too.

Carsaig

Fish from the area around the old pier in spectacular surrounds of coastal cliffs. Parking is limited here.

Gribun Rocks

Very good fishing into deep water below the towering cliffs around Gribun.

Calgary Bay

Midway along the bay, there’s a rocky platform with good fishing potential at all tidal ranges.

Caliach Point

Deep water and currents in this northwestern most corner of the Isle of Mull make for good sea fishing.

What to take with you

Warm clothes and layers, as well as sunscreen and waterproofs are a good idea! A torch if you are fishing at sunset can be handy, as well as spare lures and a container for bringing home the catch – hopefully!  Please take care not to leave any litter or fishing items behind.

Freshwater fishing on the Isle of Mull

For all freshwater fishing, you will require a permit and the best resource to obtain these is Tackle and Books in Tobermory. They will have an up-to-date listing of fishing permits and locations for each season. It is important to note that it is not allowed to fish for migratory species, such as salmon and sea trout, on Sundays in Scotland.

What can you catch when Mull river and loch fishing?

Mull is blessed with some superb tranquil hill lochs that tend to be home to a good number of brown trout. However, the ‘good number’ often also means that the size of any one individual brownie is limited.

Most freshwater fishing is done with a fly, and some permits will stipulate this as a condition of fishing.  Many of Mull’s hill lochs offer an unspoilt experience with little in the way of paths and jetties, but offer an abundance of beauty and seclusion to enjoy. Some sea trout can actually be caught around Mull’s coastal waters too, but it is generally the island’s rivers that offer the better opportunities for these.

Where to go freshwater fishing on Mull

Consult each season’s permit options, but good places to start out are as follows:

Aros Park Lochan

Nearby to Tobermory and set within Aros Park, this maintained fishery has stock of rainbow trout and a well-placed fishing mark with access down to the shore.

Mishnish Lochs

This series of three interconnected lochs between Tobermory and Dervaig is a good introduction into Mull’s hill loch fishing. As well as shore fishing, you may also make use of boats with good opportunities for brown trout.

Loch Torr

Another fine loch with a maintained fishing mark at the loch’s southern end, there is signage pointing the way from the roadside down to the loch.

River Aros

A beautiful river with a variety of fishing opportunities, including the estuary environment at Aros.

River Lussa

Lots of great opportunities for river fishing in pretty deciduous woodland along the banks.

We hope this guide offers plenty of inspiration to get started with fishing on Mull. Just get in touch if we can help with more ideas or suggestions to make the most of your stay.

This month, we’ve got inspiration for the adventurous, as we bring you some of the best Isle of Mull hill walks to take on. Mull may only be home to one munro, the mighty Ben More, but it offers plenty of rugged and often pathless peaks for the adventurous hill walker to sink their boots into. Read on to discover the summits you could be ascending when you stay.

1 Ben More

It only makes sense to start with the island’s only munro, which is often bagged as the first or final munro by those keen to bag them all. Standing at 966m, it may not be the tallest of munros, but it is one of very few that you climb from sea level to summit, making it no small challenge. It’s also the only munro in Scotland accessible by boat!

The majority of hikers will begin their ascent from Dhiseig on the south shore of Loch na Keal, where a fairly well-trodden route ascends the mountainside, largely following the course of the Abhainn Dhiseig river as it flows down to the sea and cascades through pretty pools.

For a substantially more challenging, and exhilerating ascent, suitably competent climbers may ascend the remote and rugged nearby Beinn Fhada (702m) first, before scrambling at times across the A’Chioch Ridge to reach Ben More.

However you bag this munro, there’s a sheltered cairn at the top as you rest and refuel, while taking in outstanding views across to Mull’s outlying islands and inland to Mull’s mountainous interior and the mainland beyond, too.

2 Beinn Talaidh

Standing at 762m, Beinn Talaidh’s shape makes it a very visually appealing summit to tackle. Your route begins with a fairly long but straightforward hike through Glen Forsa, before the real ascent begins. There’s plenty of interest in the meantime, with the remains of the 1945 Dakota plane crash on the hillside, Highland cows roaming the grasslands and plenty of wildlife activity too. If you want to break the hike, the MBA’s Tomsleibhe Bothy offers a base to overnight in the glen.

3 Ben Buie

Another eye-catching peak, Ben Buie stands at 714m, but don’t let it’s less-than-munro status fool you into thinking this will be an easy climb! There are two popular ways to ascend – the first, beginning to the north at the Three Lochs in Glen More.

The second, arguably more challenging, but vastly more beautiful, route is a climb up from sea level at Lochbuie, trailing burns, crossing scree and navigating crags to reach the summit. The views are simply spectacular on a clear day.

4 Beinn na Drise

This Isle of Mull hill walk offers an easier climb, but still a really lovely view to reward you. Beginning from the island’s north west coast just north of Laggan Farm, follow a track initially, before following the course of the Laggan Burn most of the way to the summit at 424m. The trig point at the top offers excellent views over Loch Tuath and Loch na Keal.

5 Dun da Ghaoithe

Your initial ascent of Dun da Ghaoithe won’t feel terribly adventurous as you trace the route of a gravel track uphill to the series of masts, after which the path ends, but you only have about a third of the way left to go from here.

Continue pressing on uphill to the summit at 766m, where the reward for your efforts are spectacular views both across Loch Linnhe to the Grampian mountains on the mainland, and inwards on Mull across the mountainous central glens to Ben More too.

Discover plenty more epic hikes, from hill climbs to coastal routes, with our guide and OS map printables to walks on the Isle of Mull.

Immersive cultural experiences can transform a good holiday to a great one. Scotland is well known for its warm Highland welcome and on the Hebridean Isle of Mull, it’s no different. So if you’re keen to immerse yourself in the local culture, enjoy an authentic taste of all-things Scottish, read on for three fantastic cultural experiences on the Isle of Mull.

1 Clans and castles

There are believed to have once been as many as 2,000 castles in Scotland. Defensive buildings and the historic family seats of clans, castles have a huge place in Scottish culture and history. 

For visitors to Mull, there’s the chance to see several, from the ruins of Moy Castle at Lochbuie and Aros Castle on the east coast, to the well-preserved Duart Castle, which is open for tours, to the privately owned Glengorm Castle on the  island’s north coast.

Duart Castle in Mull’s south east lies within easy reach of the main ferry port in Craignure. The seat of Clan Maclean, the castle doesn’t simply offer an interesting take on history as you walk between its historic walls, peek into dungeon cells, glimpse the centuries-old bedchambers, climb to the upper turrets and marvel at the grand banqueting hall.

Duart Castle also offers a look at the clan system in Scotland, which for many years governed life in the Highlands. To this day, Duart Castle remains the home of members of the Maclean family, while forming the ancestral home for many more.

Duart Castle is open during the main season for tours and is well worth a visit during your stay. There’s a great tea room for lunch afterwards, followed by a walk in the Millenium woods, too.

If you’d like to find out more about Mull’s history, read our guide to island history here.

2 Tartans and tweeds

Down in the island’s south west corner, tucked into the hillside above the sweeping sands of Ardalanish beach, lies Ardalanish Weavers. Here you’ll find fabrics that are quintessentially Scottish, as it’s here that talented craftsmen and women weave beautiful tweeds, tartans and woollen garments from the wool of native Hebridean and Shetland sheep. 

The creative team dye the wool using natural colourings from the flora around them. When visiting the weavers, you’ll often spot large glass jars sitting out packed full of colourful plants, producing the natural dyes. The looms themselves date back to the Victorian period, showing a true glimpse back in time, at how these durable and beautiful fabrics were made for many years in the wild and windswept Hebrides.

When visiting, you can take a tour of the weaving mill and perhaps even watch a demonstration or two. So from the raw fleece, to the natural dye extraction, to the weaving process and beyond, you can immerse yourself in the full creative process at the Isle of Mull Weavers. 

Finish up in the mill shop, where their beautiful garments, blankets and bothy rugs are available for sale, or for the creatives amongst you, perhaps be inspired to buy a ball of their spun wool for your own creations.

3 Water and whisky 

Just beside the river that tumbles down the hillside before meeting the sea in Tobermory Bay, you’ll find the Tobermory Distillery at the southern end of the harbourfront. The first whisky production began here in 1798 and continues to this day, with the distillery producing an impressive collection of single malts and more recently, adding a range of gins to the stills too.

The guided tour takes you through the entire whisky-making process, often with some great local history thrown in too. You’ll proceed through the production area, with the chance to see the enormous copper stills in action.

A highlight of the tour for many is moving through to the cask room, where filled barrels of whisky slowly mature, with the type of barrel used imparting a distinct flavour into the final spirit, too.

For those who choose to, the final part of the tour is a tasting in their dedicated tasting room. Enjoy a dram or two and discover the difference in flavour between the light Tobermory whisky, compared to the smoky peated Ledaig.

The tradition of whisky making (and drinking!) in Scotland traces back as early even as 1500 and remains popular among locals and visitors alike to this day.

Feeling inspired for your visit to Mull? Delve into these eight island traditions to experience when you visit Mull and then choose your island holiday cottage.

Undoubtedly Mull’s most famous beach, Calgary Bay glistens with turquoise waters lapping gently ashore against a horseshoe of white shell-sand. Backed by machair, which puts on a stunning floral show in season, and cocooned between towering headlands to either side, it’s easy to see how Calgary Bay earned its popularity.

So, if you’re keen to visit and soak in the sights first-hand, here are seven things to do at Calgary Bay.

1 Explore Calgary Art in Nature Trail

If you start up the hill at Calgary gallery and café, there’s a fantastic trail that meanders all the way down to the beach. En route, you’ll discover all manner of unique art installations and sculptural creations lining the path down to the beach.

2 Enjoy an ice cream from the Boat Shed

A must for any beach trip, with a dash of Mull charm thrown in as you won’t be served from just any ice cream van, but from the boat shed – a quirky building beside the carpark, with drinks on offer too.

3 Beach-comb for tide-tossed treasures

The waves at Calgary Bay are generally fairly gentle, as the bay is nicely sheltered, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find some gems! Shells decorate the white sand, along with interesting seaweeds, driftwood and more. What will you find?

4 Brave a wild swim

Brace yourselves for a dip in the cool, clear waters and enjoy a wild swim at Calgary Bay – often with teeny tiny fish darting around with you!

5 Go rock pooling

Nets at the ready! At the ends of the beach, there are some great rocky areas that flood with the tide to form pools. Well worth a peek to see what critters you might find, or simply to enjoy a splash about!

6 Hike to Caliach Point

To the north side of the bay, a path leads along the top of the beach and out to an old granite pier, before steeply ascending to the headland above. From here, you can hike out along the tops, soaking up sensational coastal views, all the way to Cailach Point, passing abandoned villages, rugged cliffs and spotting the islands of Coll and Tiree in the distance.

7 Enjoy coffee at the café

After a day of fun at Calgary Bay, warm up with a cup of coffee, piece of cake or light lunch at the lovely Calgary Café, just up the hill. Sit inside or out and with plenty of parking, this is the perfect spot to refuel!

Calgary Bay isn’t Mull’s only island beach though. Along our 300 miles of coastline, there are many more to discover. We bring you a local’s guide to some of the most spectacular in our guide to Isle of Mull beaches.

The Hebrides may be a wild and beautiful place, but that needn’t come at a compromise when it comes to luxury too. For those seeking to treat themselves, here are five luxury experiences to enjoy while on Mull, from those that take you into Mull’s remotest corners and waters, to those that bring the magic of Mull to you.

Dine with a difference

No guide to luxury experiences on Mull would be complete without covering the foodie scene! Mull punches well above its weight for gastronomic delight, with local chefs serving up the freshest seafood, landed that day by a local fishing boat, amid menus that major on island ingredients, from wildflower-infused desserts to croft-raised Highland beef.

So where to sample the finest of island feasts? Epicureans will be in their element at fine dining restaurant, An Cala Cuin in Tobermory, Ar Bord in Dervaig or Ninth Wave in Fionnphort. It is essential to book well in advance. Or, for the luxury experience to enjoy at your homestay instead, don’t miss Hebridean Lodge, where you can order three delicious courses to take home and warm up when you’re ready.

Bespoke guiding

Whether you’re seeking one-to-one guiding to maximise your chances of wildlife encounters with a target species, a photography expert to help you capture high quality images, or an angling aficionado to help you secure the biggest catch of the day, Mull has a range of high quality guides who offer bespoke services to suit your requirements.

Private charters

Some of Mull’s most popular boat excursions – including the famous Mull Charters sea eagle trip – can be booked for exclusive use. Not forgetting the whisky and gin-tasting experiences offered by Tobermory Bay Tours, too!

There are also several operators catering solely to exclusive-use clients, whether you want to set sail on a traditional sailing boat with Alternative Boat Hire, or hit the waves and discover Mull from the water with Coastal Connection.

Exclusive access

Adventure needn’t come at the cost of a high quality experience, and this is just one great example where Mull delivers in spades! Picture wild swimming in a crystal-clear, deserted sandy bay. In the crisp and cold waters at the foot of a glittering waterfall. Or in a naturally formed plunge pool, miles from the nearest road.

An experienced local guide can open the door to these incredible opportunities well off the beaten track. Walk Mull offers bespoke guided hikes to some incredible wild swimming spots, tailored to your requirements.

And relax…

It would be amiss not to mention the spa facilities on the island when diving into all-things luxury experiences on Mull. Conveniently located in the south east of the island, the Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa promises a range of experiences for non-residents, from full day pampering to hot stone massages and more. The perfect treat after a challenging hike, or before embarking on the long journey home.

With these luxury experiences on Mull to inspire you, it’s time to book your luxury homestay to match. Delve into our hand-picked range of high quality island properties to find your cottage today. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call and we can create a personal shortlist of cottages to consider, tailored to your unique requirements.

As the air turns crisper, smoke curls from the chimney tops and russet leaves crunch beneath our feet, autumn makes its presence known on Mull. It’s a beautiful season indoors and out, with the red deer rut a wildlife highlight.

But, for the inevitable dreicher days, it’s great to have something to look forward to indoors, too. When better to explore the two Isle of Mull distilleries, one with a history of over 200 years, the other only a few years old!

Tobermory Distillery

Found on the edge of the harbourfront, conveniently just beside the Ledaig carpark, Tobermory Distillery is a must-visit during your stay. The distillery first opened in 1798 and made its name producing excellent single-malt whisky.

If you enjoy the smoky flavours of a peated whisky, then the Ledaig will win your vote, or for a lighter flavour, the Tobermory is the tipple to try. More recently, the distillery added a great range of small-batch gins to their offering, too.

Visit the Tobermory Distillery for a tour and tasting to see the whisky in production, from the huge copper stills to the casks the whisky matures in. You’ll enjoy an expert-led tour through the entire production process and see spirits being made to this day here in the heart of Tobermory.

After an informative introduction to the whisky making process and history of whisky production at the Tobermory Distillery, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the distillery, taking in the mash tuns, the copper stills, the maturing whiskies cocooned in their casks, and understand more about the processes behind Tobermory Distillery’s unique whiskies and their flavours.

For those who choose it, the tour concludes in the tasting room, which comes highly recommended! Here, you’ll sample drams from some of the Tobermory distillery favourites. Afterwards, in the gift shop, you can pick up a branded whisky glass to take home from your travels and perhaps even a bottle or two! The team will be able to talk you through which bottles and ages of whisky will be the best choice for you.

There’s also the option to book a gin tasting, too!

Isle of Mull Spirit

If you’ve been for lunch at the Glass Barn or perhaps enjoyed some hearty Isle of Mull cheese, then you’ve already discovered a slice of the gastronomic delight awaiting at Sgiobruadh Farm, just outside Tobermory.

In recent years, they have added Isle of Mull Spirit to their diverse offering at the farm, producing unique spirits from whey leftover as a byproduct of their cheesemaking process, so nothing goes to waste.

The result is a collection of creative spirits, from the Coo J’n gin to the Cheesemaker’s Strength vodka. Book a farm tour to see the full farm in motion, wandering the cellars among ageing cheese rounds, exploring the garden bursting with botanicals, watching a cheesemaking demonstration and tasting the cheese and spirits that reward their efforts.

With farm animals to meet too, this one’s a great choice for every generation.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to Isle of Mull distilleries. Discover more ideas for things to do when you visit the island with our local’s guide, or try our themed island itineraries.

What to expect from Isle of Mull weather when you come to stay? Quite possibly the million dollar question for many visitors to the island, along with the midge forecast! So, just what can you expect from Isle of Mull weather in each season?

Spring

Spring tends to bring a more mixed picture of Isle of Mull weather. Expect a fast-changing array of wind, showers and sunshine and often, a lot of rainbows! As the island wakes up after winter, the changing light and lengthening days sees the natural world spring back to life with spectacular bluebell and early wildflower displays.

Summer

May and June generally see the best of the bright weather on the island, but that’s not to say you won’t find a wet day, nor to say that July and August will be a wash out!

While there are no guarantees, the summer months tend to offer the best chances of drier and more settled conditions, but it’s still best to come prepared for all possibilities. It’s not unusual to hear locals say to expect all four seasons in a single day!

Autumn

Autumn can be a magical season here on the island. The roar of rutting stags carries on the wind and echoes through the glens, as the red deer descend from the higher summer grazing to more sheltered lowlands and the rut begins.

It’s a time of change for the weather too, with the days slowly drawing in and a higher likelihood of some wind and rain. The silver lining is that the waterfalls will often be flowing in full spate, making for some spectacular sights exploring the island as the bracken-covered hillsides turn copper and gold.

Winter

Winter is the season to coorie up in a cosy cottage and immerse yourself in Highland hospitality. A wee dram of the local malt by the fire to warm the wilder nights, and in clear skies, excellent opportunities to stargaze and – if you’re lucky – spot the Northern Lights.

There’s a good chance of some wild weather this season. But, the earlier arrival of sunset and later return of sunrise offer some brilliant photography opportunities amid rapidly changing skies, light and weather conditions.

What about the midges on Mull?

If you’re keen to avoid the midges altogether, then a winter break or visit early in the season (April or early May) will give you the best chances. Midges become more present on the island through the summer and autumn, although generally not in the big clouds you’ll find in the Highlands!

As so much of the island is coastal, there’s usually a breeze that keeps the midges at bay. You’ll notice them more in very still conditions and particularly in land, in woodland or by bodies of water, so plan your activities accordingly. A bottle of Smidge and a net if you’re worried should keep you right.

Whatever your choice of season, find your cottage and start planning your next adventure on Mull.