The Isle of Mull

The Isle of Mull, on the west coast of Scotland, is the second largest island of the Hebrides at 338 square miles, and is home to just under 3,000 people, more than a third of whom live in Tobermory.

I first visited Mull on a family holiday way back in 1972. I’ve returned a few times since, most recently in 2016 – which is already TOO long ago! It’s got everything I love: history, varied landscapes of mountains, rugged and fascinating coastline, lighthouses, puffins, boats, lovely horses to ride, rainbows, friendly people, fantastic cake shops, a real sense of community, and it’s packed with wildlife. It’s especially known for its eagles – golden eagles and white tailed eagles. The latter were reintroduced in the 1980s and have begun to self-sustain as a population.

Someone from a shop on the main street in Tobermory contacted me and asked if I had any products with Mull on, and I didn’t. But once she had planted the seed in my head about a hand-painted Map of Mull it was inevitable it would spill from my brushes! What a great opportunity to remember all those lovely things I’ve done there, the places we visited, the wildlife we spotted. I could see it my mind immediately!

About my Map of Mull

My Map of Mull charts the main settlements and notable features such as: all five regular ferries, Glenforsa airstrip, Eas Fors waterfall and Lochbuie Neolithic stone circle. Outlying islands are shown including: the Treshnish Isles, which is home to a breeding seabird colony; Staffa, where Fingal’s Cave is,  and of course Iona. This is where St Cuthbert founded a monastery. My map shows some of the many wonderful wild creatures you can see. Birds illustrated are: golden eagle, white tailed eagle, crossbill, hen harrier, puffin, curlew, gannet, corncrake, eider. Mammals shown: otter, red deer, pine marten, highland cow, mountain hare, common dolphin, grey seal and minke whale.

Also pictured on my Map of Mull

… is me riding a white Highland pony named Smokey, alongside Jean on Becky from Mull Pony Trekking at Killiechronan. Jean and I have ridden out together a few times and we always have such tremendous fun. I have spotted all kinds of wildlife while riding Smokey – wildlife doesn’t flee from horses as it does from people. And galloping through the sea at the top end of Loch Na Keal is the only time I have seen flounders swim away from beneath the hoofs of my mount!

… Tobermory Whisky, the Macquarie Mausoleum at Gruline (which will be of particular interest to Australians), Duart Castle, Glengorm Hotel, Tobermory lighthouse and Lismore lighthouses, and of course, a lifeboat heading out from RNLI Tobermory en route to save lives and keep us safe from the sea.

My grateful thanks to Nikki at Seafare Chandlery, Main Street, Tobermory, for her help and guidance on which features to include. I put most of them in, Nikki!
Thanks to my husband Moth for photographing our trips to Mull so thoroughly. Moth’s photos have been a fabulous source of visual information and reminders of the many delights of Mull.