Holiday on Mull – our top research tips
There is plenty to think about when planning a holiday on Mull. Luckily there is plenty of research you can do online before you arrive. Here are some useful pointers and websites to look at so you can get a good sense of what there is to do before you come.
Somewhere to stay
Obviously we would have to recommend staying in one of our cottages here at Treshnish, a few miles from Calgary!! We are well placed for exploring this part of the island – by car or on foot, with a wonderful sense of peace and quiet to return to after a day out. We have 8 eco-friendly cottages on the farm, sleeping 2 – 6; some with Wi-Fi, some offering a digital detox (though there is 4G Vodafone and EE signal).
What is there to do
For initial ideas of what there is to do on the island, please look at the beautiful Visit Mull and Iona website.
Wildlife
There are several wildlife tour operators based in the north of Mull. If you book with Nature Scotland, be sure to mention you are staying with us. They offer our guests 10% discount.
Turus Mara take visitors out to the Treshnish Isles and Staffa. They run trips from April to September. For Puffin therapy be sure to come and stay before the end of July – the Puffins usually go back to sea in early August. Their trips take you to Staffa and the seal colonies after the Puffins leave. Turus Mara also offer 10% discount to our guests. We give you their discount code once you have booked to stay with us.
Fun for all ages at the small but perfectly formed Mull Aquarium. Check out their website for events and opening hours. The Aquarium is the first catch and release aquarium in Europe!
Learn about Whales and Dolphins at the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. We are proud to be Corporate Partners with them, to support the valuable work that they do. They have a visitor centre on the main street in Tobermory.
History
There is history everywhere on Mull and Iona. From the deserted villages to pre-historic standing stones; ruined castles to lived in historic castles and homes. Duart Castle is well worth a visit and it has a great tearoom too!
There is evidence all over Treshnish of days gone by, whether it is the turf covered stone walls, the ruined cottages, the old run-rig systems on the hill or the tiny ruin of a chapel along the coast.
Don’t forget the Mull Museum in Tobermory too! Check out the Mull Historical and Archeological Society website. It provides a valuable overview of all the historic sites on the islands.
Geology
The geology on the islands is fascinating. Believe it or not, we have a thread of rock here, called Pahoehoe lava, which connects us with Hawaii! To find out more, look at Mull Geology. They sometimes organise Geology Walks, which are well worth taking part in.
Eating out
There are lots of great places to eat on the island, and several local to Treshnish. Have a look at Mull and Iona Food Trail. There is a Food Trail Map in each cottage when you arrive.
Buying local
The importance of shopping local can not be underestimated! For every £1 that is spent on local produce it brings around £2.50 into the local economy. There are some lovely galleries and craft shops as well as good village food shops.
The Food Trail (link above) will help with shops selling local produce. The Visit Mull and Iona website (link above) will give you information about craft shops and galleries.
Walks and exploring
You can walk anywhere here! There are several walk books available and we try and make sure there is always one in each cottage. Look at the Visit Mull and Iona website (link above) for more forward planning.