Guest post: A day trip to Isle of Mull, Scotland

Isle of Mull

Scotland has always had a mystical allure for me. Its majestic mountains and winding roads that disappear into the horizon create an ethereal experience. Nestled within this rugged beauty lies Tobermory, a town bursting with color. It emanates a sense of serenity and is home to some of the warmest and most inviting locals you’ll ever meet.

Tobermory is a charming town on the Isle of Mull. During a recent summer getaway to Scotland, we stumbled upon this hidden gem. Our journey took us from our idyllic cottage in Strachur to Oban, where we boarded a ferry to the Isle of Mull. As we waited in our car to board the ferry, we tuned in to a radio show narrating the history of silk and silk worm cultivation. The combination of this fascinating history and the anticipation of our holiday created a uniquely calming atmosphere.

Once aboard the ferry, we parked our car in the designated slot and made our way to the upper deck. Here, we treated ourselves to a warm, hearty breakfast and coffee. We relished our meal while gazing at the tranquil sea, watching as small sailboats gracefully bobbed on the water.

Upon reaching the Isle of Mull, we embarked on a short drive to Duart Castle. This historic castle, a 700-year-old home to the MacLean Clan, opens its doors to visitors. Inside, you can explore The Great Hall, State Bedrooms, and immerse yourself in the rich history of the clan. During our visit, we had the pleasure of striking up a conversation with a local guide who shared captivating anecdotes about life on the island. Her wisdom and insights made it clear that such interactions are what truly enrich our travels. She also mentioned that the Maclean clan is dispersed around the world and hosts an international gathering on the Isle of Mull every five years.

Duart Castle is not just a historical gem; it also boasts a delightful tearoom serving delectable dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients. The Castle also features in the 1999 film Entrapment, starring Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Our journey continued to Tobermory, a lively and picturesque port town – what the Scots endearingly call a “wee port town.” The waterfront is adorned with brightly painted buildings, reminiscent of Bergen with its vibrant colours. Tobermory’s charm has even graced the screens, as it featured in the children’s program “Balamory,” making it a hit with the little ones.

Tobermory, isle of Mull

We explored the town on foot, where the colourful houses created enchanting reflections on the water. Benches were thoughtfully placed along the waterfront, providing the perfect spots to watch the world go by. From An Tobar Café, strategically positioned to offer breathtaking views of Tobermory Bay, we soaked in the sights of boats and sailboats. This charming café, a part of An Tobar and Mull Theatre, offers not just lovely snacks and drinks but also a chance to savour the moment. I’m currently enthralled by Kombucha, and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to enjoy a ginger-infused one while listening to old tunes, all against the backdrop of the shimmering bay.

Tobermory’s main street is lined with independent shops, each a treasure trove of locally made souvenirs. The local shopkeepers are extraordinarily affable and welcoming, making every visit feel like a warm embrace.

While Tobermory offers a plethora of activities, we were content with soaking in the vibrant colours and the warmth of the locals. Tobermory is a visual treat, a place that won me over with its vivid charm and the genuine friendliness of its people.

This is a guest post from Usha. She writes about books (she’s currently featuring new authors in her blog post series Meet the author), life and her travels. Please check out her blog and Instagram account for some reading & travel inspiration!

Thank you Usha for this beautiful post!

30 thoughts on “Guest post: A day trip to Isle of Mull, Scotland”

  8. I do agree that, “captivating anecdotes about life on the island. Her wisdom and insights made it clear that such interactions are what truly enrich our travels” and such experiences are what we remember the most about places. Our photographs bring those memories rushing back. I like to seek out these experiences and chat to locals if they are open to it when I visit places because these are the interactions that are most meaningful and give you a glimpse into what it is really like to live there. Rather than just seeing it through a tourist’s eyes.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Another great guest post! Scotland is such a beautiful country, but there’s certainly more to it than just the big cities like Edinburgh or Glasgow! The Isle of Mull looks gorgeous and well-worth a trip over. Usha did a fantastic write-up of this!

    Liked by 1 person

  14. The Isle of Mull doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Mull, along with its neighbour Iona, draws far fewer visitors than [equally beautiful] islands like Skye. Of course, it doesn’t have a bridge to the mainland like Skye, but even so, Mull deserves far more visitors than it gets. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx

    Liked by 3 people

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.