Walking in North Mull


	Walks in North Mull Following are some fairly easy and popular walks on the North of the island.
	Aros Park
	Park in Tobermory at the Ledaig Car park and take the Forest Enterprise footpath at the far end of the car park beside Macgochans Bar. The path goes up through the woods and there are delightful views across Tobermory Bay to Calve Island and the cliffs of Morvern. The path crosses Sput Dubh a spectacular waterfall which was a watering point for the Royal Navy who were based here back in 1940. When a fork is reached, take the left-hand path and continue down the hill. Keep going straight on and cross the bridge which goes over the burn below the Lower Falls, one of three stunning waterfalls within the park. At the next fork take the left hand path which is sign posted to the pier and continue on the track down to the pier. As you walk down to the pier look closely on the rocks where the burn flows into the sea. This is a favourite haunt of the elusive otter. This old stone pier is now crumbling into the sea on the far side so please do not be tempted to climb the fence. The footpath now continues up past the old sawmill and goes left to follow the shore of the loch. Go along the attractive trail circling Lochan a Ghurrabain which is full of water lilies and abundant bird life. Heron, Mallard, Goosander and Goldeneye can often be seen on the Loch and there have been some sightings of a Water Rail. Blackcap, Goldcrest, and Treecreepers can be found in the trees surrounding the Loch. Tobermory Angling Club leases the Loch which is stocked with rainbow trout. As you cross the burn you will see a ruined stone building to the left. This was once the Power House that provided the electricity for Aros House. Take the path on the left beside the Power House which goes steeply uphill to provide a wonderful vantage point and seating area to view the waterfall which plunges over 100 feet down from the top of the cliff. Continue on the path until a tarmac drive is reached. Turn right and go down to the main car park. The car park was made from the stone of Aros House when it was demolished and now provides a charming picnic and Barbeque area. Aros House, once owned by the Allan shipping family, was demolished by the army in 1962 as it was unsafe. The doors of the house are now the doors of Tobermory Parish Church on Argyll Terrace. Leave the car park on the path which goes out beside the public toilets and take the shore path to retrace your steps back to Tobermory.

	Tobermory Lighthouse
	Park in Tobermory at the Ledaig Carpark as the main street is very busy in the holiday season. This is the first turning on the right as you come down the hill into Tobermory. Turn right out of the car park until the Caledonian MacBrayne pier and Tobermory Lifeboat Station are reached. Take the path that goes diagonally upwards into the woods. Just before the lighthouse there is a memorial on the right to Robert John Brown with a seat where the spectacular panorama can be enjoyed. The memorial identifies all the landmarks from Bloody Bay to Calve Island. Take a short detour onto the causeway to see the lighthouse and keepers' cottages watching out for otters playing on the rocks. Retrace your steps from the lighthouse until just before the Brown Memorial there is a path up to the right. The first few minutes is quite a scramble but the view is well worth the effort. Continue heading uphill on the path until the golf course is reached. Cross the stile and turn left onto the golf course, keeping to the edge of the course marked by the green topped posts. Take in the spectacular views of the conical shaped Ben Talaidh down the Sound of Mull and see if you can spot any seals on the skerries in front of Calve Island. Follow close to the perimeter fence until it reaches the gate, turn left and follow the road down past the War Memorial and the Western Isles Hotel back into the town.
	Crater Loch
	Follow the B8073 from Tobermory along Mishnish Lochs for about 3 miles until you come to a ruined cottage where there is room to park (if these places are taken there will be room in the quarry just before the cottage). Go over a stile and follow the track up behind the cottage and head for the gate. Go through the gate and keep on the track where you are constantly in view of the summit of the volcanic hill, S'Airde Beinn with it's hidden crater loch. Once on the top make a circuit of the rim of the crater to enjoy the most spectacular views in the North of Mull. To the east there are views of Tobermory Bay and Morvern and on a fine day you can see west to the Isle of Coll and the Small Isles. Return the same way.
	Ardmore Settlement and Shore Walk
	Travelling to Dervaig from Tobermory on the B8073, take the turning for Glengorm on the outskirts of Tobermory. The car park is about 1 mile along this road on the right hand side. The first part of the walk is through spruce forest, later opening out to give beautiful views to Coll and Ardnamurchan. Take the forestry road from the car park, go through the gate and keep on the track bearing left at the fork until you come to the ruined settlement of Penalbanach which was abandoned in the 1930s. Follow the waymarked shore path which will bring you down to the Bird Hide in Ardmore Bay, a great place to take shelter for lunch in wet weather and watch the seals and sea birds. There are also stunning views over to the village of Kilchoan and the mountainous Ardnamurchan Peninsula. The path curves along the shore and then turns right into the forest. Leaving the sea, you will soon arrive at the ruined hamlet of Ardmore, the ruins of the old school, which once had about 30 pupils lie a little further along the track. On reaching the forestry road take the right turn and then the next left to retrace your steps back to Ardmore car park. Keep your eyes peeled, you may be lucky enough to get a glimpse of the golden and white-tailed sea eagles which are both regularly seen in this area.
	Glengorm and Dun Ara Castle
	There are several walks on the Glengorm Estate but my personal favourite is the short walk to Dun Ara Castle. Follow the B8073 from Tobermory and just outside of the town turn right - signposted Glengorm. Park by the coffee shop at Glengorm Castle which is open from Easter to October selling roasted coffee, fresh baking and lunches. All the food is cooked on the premises using Glengorm's own produce from the farm and walled garden. Walk over the bridge opposite the coffee shop and follow the farm track which goes out in front of the castle. The track goes to the right and a detour can be made down the bank to have a closer look at the standing stones. Continue on the track until it curves round to the left and Dun Ara can be seen on the top of the second crag. The ascent is easy from the south-east side and the castle's foundations are clearly visible. On a clear day there are views out to Coll and the Uists. Return the same way and please remember that Glengorm is a working farm so please keep dogs on a lead at all times.
	Calgary Pier and Basalt Dyke
	Calgary Bay is accessed by the winding B8073 road from Tobermory via Dervaig. There is a car park and picnic area on the machair, the area of dunes and fertile grassland backing onto the beach. Calgary is listed in the top 20 beaches in the country. Go through the gate and take the path that heads west along the shore to the old pier. Note the ruin of the old pier house, set into what looks like a wall but is actually a volcanic dyke. Return the same way and go up to the Calgary Hotel where the Calgary Art in Nature woodland sculpture walk is free of charge. There is a tearoom and art gallery with many items for sale.

Walks - North Mull

Walks - Central Mull

Walks - SE Mull

Walks - SW Mull