Wild Isles week
How to get to Mull
Where is the Isle of Mull ?
Mull is the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides, and lies off the west coast of Scotland about one hundred miles north-west of Glasgow by road. Area 338 square miles, population 2,700.
The principal ferry port for Mull is Oban; there are two other ferries which run from Lochaline (Morvern) and Kilchoan (Ardnamurchan). Check with Caledonian MacBrayne for timetables, bookings and fare options.
How to get to Mull by road
The routes outlined below are the principal ways of getting to Mull, and they all end at one of the three ferries. There are, of course, alternative routes and variations on those below. Much depends on the time you have available. We recommend that you use these directions in conjunction with a map of at least sufficiently large scale to see the way-points mentioned.
From Southern Scotland and England
Go to Glasgow, then take the A82 north along loch Lomond to Crianlarich and Tyndrum. Just beyond Tyndrum fork left onto the A85 for Dalmally and Oban. In Oban take the ferry to Craignure (Mull).
As an alternative, half way up loch Lomond, at Tarbet, turn left for Arrochar, and continue via the 'Rest and Be Thankful' pass to Inverary where you turn right for Dalmally and Oban (rejoining the first route just west of Dalmally). The distance is much the same but it avoids the narrow and congested road at the upper end of loch Lomond.
From Edinburgh
Go to Stirling (M9), then at Jn 10 take the A84 to Lochearnhead, joining the A85 to Crianlarich and Tyndrum. Just beyond Tyndrum fork left onto the A85 for Dalmally and Oban.
© Tim Dawson
From Perth, Dundee and Tayside
From Perth take the A85 west through Crieff to Lochearnhead. Then follow the Edinburgh directions above.
From further north on the A9 you can take the A827 through Aberfeldy and Killin to Crianlarich. Then follow the Edinburgh directions above.
From Northern Scotland
Go to Fort William, then take the A82 south to Corran Ferry and cross to Ardgour. Take the A861 towards Strontian, turning onto the A884 for Lochaline about a mile before Strontian. The A884 is a single track road. At Lochaline take the regular ferry to Fishnish (Mull). If you have time (and good weather), as an alternative to going via Strontian, take the B8043 along the west side of Loch Linnhe (signed Kingairloch).
© Tim Dawson
From Skye
You have two choices. You can leave Skye by the bridge, and go to Fort William, as above. Or you can go to Armadale (in Sleat, SW Skye) and take the ferry to Mallaig. From Mallaig take the A830 (Road to the Isles) to Lochailort, where you turn right onto the A861 and follow it to Strontian. A mile beyond turn right onto the A884 for Lochaline, where you take the regular ferry to Fishnish (Mull).
From Ardnamurchan
Head for Kilchoan in west Ardnamurchan, and take the ferry to Tobermory (Mull).
© Tim Dawson
Ferries to Mull and Iona
The principal ferry runs from Oban (mainland) to Craignure (Mull). Other ferries run from Lochaline to Fishnish and Kilchoan to Tobermory
The Iona ferry runs from Fionnphort, South West Mull
Check with Caledonian MacBrayne for timetables, bookings and fare options.
Mull by train
Trains run from Glasgow (Queen Street station) to Oban, where you can catch the ferry to Craignure (Mull). The train journey takes about three hours.
© Tim Dawson
Motoring on Mull
Mull is a surprisingly big island. The road from Tobermory in the north to Fionnphort in the south west (where you catch the ferry to Iona) is the main road on the island and is a combination of single and double tracks. Slow enough. (If driving you should give yourself a good two hours for this journey.) However, when you leave this road, you enter the world of 'Highland miles' which have little bearing on roads on the mainland. These roads are single track, narrow and achingly beautiful, and you probably won't average more than 25 mph when on them. Less if you are stopping, as you will want to do, to admire the scenery. The trick is to give yourself plenty of time, and enjoy it.
© Tim Dawson
Iona is unusual in that only those who live there can have a car on the island, so be ready to leave your car in Fionnphort, breathe out and slow down. There is a taxi on Iona if you are not inclined to walk, but the distances on the island are short and most of the accommodation is within 15 minutes walk from the pier where you arrive.
On Mull there are petrol stations at Craignure (2), Salen, Tobermory and between Bunessan and Fionnphort (2).
