14 Best Things To Do On The Isle of Mull, Scotland

All the best things to do on the Isle of Mull, a charming island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. 

Scotland is a charming and magical country with over 900 islands.

For anyone looking to travel to Scotland, it can be hard deciding which islands to visit.

One of the most popular groups of islands to visit in Scotland is the Inner Hebrides.

There are 35 islands in the Inner Hebrides, but the biggest and easiest to visit are the Isle of Mull, Isle of Skye, and the Isle of Islay.

In this article, I’ll be focusing on the Isle of Mull, a cozy island with lots of great attractions.

The Isle of Skye gets all the attention because of its dramatic and rugged scenery. But the Isle of Mull is perfect for experiencing beautiful Scottish countryside and hospitality.

cows isle of mull scotland
Cows grazing on the Isle of Mull

How To Visit The Isle Of Mull, Scotland

The best way to see the Isle of Mull is by renting a car and road-tripping all around the island.

You only need a couple of days to see everything.

You also have the option of booking a multi-day tour from mainland Scotland.

These will be a bit pricier but will have everything included. And you don’t have to plan and organize everything yourself. You’ll often visit more than one island as well.

I recommend scanning Get Your Guide for the some of the best Inner Hebrides Island Tours from Glasgow or Edinburgh.

So whether you’re traveling on your own or with a tour, here are the 14 best things to do on the Isle of Mull, Scotland.

14 Best Things To Do On The Isle Of Mull, Scotland

From exploring Duart Castle, to whale watching, to tasting treats at Tobermory Handmade Chocolate, to just driving around the enchanting scenery, here are the best things to do on the Isle of Mull, Scotland!

1. Explore Tobermory

Tobermory is the capital of the Isle of Mull. Located on the northeast of the island, it hardly feels like a capital city.

It feels more like a peaceful small town, surrounded by a nice harbor and lined with colorful little homes.

The Tobermory Harbor is absolutely adorable.

Early morning or late evening is when you get the best views because the wind dies down and the water becomes calm.

There are also lots of local shops and restaurants in town. So having some quality time with Tobermory is one of the best things to do on the Isle of Mull.

Tobermory isle of mull
A glimpse of the colorful buildings in the Tobermory Harbor

2. Visit the Mull Museum

To learn all about the history of this quaint little island, visit the Mull Museum.

It’s a small museum located on the main street of Tobermory, and it has some cool exhibits and books about the island.

It’s also free to enter! So it’s one of the best things to do in the Isle of Mull if you’re on a budget!

  • Location: Columba Buildings, Main St, Tobermory
  • Hours: 10 am to 4 pm, closed Sundays

3. Take A Boat Tour to the Isle of Staffa

Visiting the Isle of Staffa is one of the most fascinating Isle of Mull activities.

You can take a boat tour from Tobermory Harbor out across the Scottish sea and head to one of the most unique islands you may ever see.

The Isle of Staffa is a small, uninhabited island right next to the Isle of Mull. But it looks like it’s from another planet.

The whole island is composed of hexagonal basalt columns that look far too identical and perfect to be made in nature, but they are.

Fingal’s Cave is the main point of interest on the Isle of Staffa, where the turquoise water swirls in and out of the hollow, volcanic cave.

Contact Staffa Tours to book your trip, or just head to the Tobermory Boat Harbor and ask about tours there.

staffa scotland
The basalt columns on the Isle of Staffa are even more incredible up close!

4. Soak in the Sun at Calgary Bay

Even in the summer, I don’t think it gets warm enough on the Isle of Mull to really go sunbathing or swimming on the beach.

But, on a nice day, you still visit Calgary Bay for some beautiful ocean views.

You might not picture beaches with soft white sand and bright blue water when you think of Scotland. But Calgary Bay has exactly that.

It’s located on the island’s west coast, and it’s one of the best things to see in the Isle of Mull.

5. Sample the Local Cheese

Just a 30-minute walk from downtown Tobermory is Sgriob-ruadh Farm, the home of Isle of Mull Cheese.

This spacious dairy farm full of rolling green hills and adorable stone cottages is home to some of the freshest, most natural, and delicious cheese.

Isle of Mull Cheese also doesn’t use any coloring or artificial ingredients and they treat their animals well.

So heading over to the island’s only dairy farm and indulging in some homemade treats is one of the best things to do on the Isle of Mull.

  • Location: Sgriob-ruadh Farm, Tobermory, Isle of Mull
  • Hours: 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, closed Sunday and Monday

6. See Puffins in the Treshnish Isles

Another one of the best things to do on the Isle of Mull is taking a day trip to see puffins!

These hilarious little birds with colorful peaks and bright orange feet are thriving on these uninhabited Scottish islands.

Staffa Tours also runs boat tours from Tobermory to the Treshnish Isles. There you can roam around on the rocky, uninhabited islands and observe puffins up close.

This was definitely a highlight of my time in Scotland!

puffins scotland
Seeing puffins is one of the coolest things to do on the Isle of Mull.

7. Go Whale Watching

The Hebrides Islands are some of the best places for whale watching in Scotland.

Sea Life Survey is one of the most popular boat tour companies in the Isle of Mull. Their whale watching trips are top rated.

Whales are present all year round. But the best months to see them are between May and September.

8. Drink Whisky at the Tobermory Distillery

You can’t leave Scotland without drinking some local whisky. That’s like leaving Italy without trying the wine or Germany without trying the beer.

Scotland makes some amazing whisky, and visiting the Tobermory Distillery is one of the best things to do on the Isle of Mull!

The Tobermory Distillery is home to the island’s best homemade whisky and gin.

They run distillery tours as well for those who want to learn more about the process.

  • Location: Tobermory Distillery, Ledaig, Tobermory, Isle of Mull
  • Hours: 10 am to 4 pm, open every day

9. Hike Ben More

As the highest mountain on the island, hiking Ben More is one of the best things to do in the Isle of Mull for fitness enthusiasts.

The hike to the top is a bit challenging, but nothing too crazy. Anyone in relatively good shape should have an easy time.

It’s a 9.25 km walk and takes a few hours. You can enjoy some fabulous views from the top of Ben More.

Visit Walkhighlands.co for more detailed information about the hike.

ben more scotland
The peaks of Ben More and its neighbors

10. Indulge in Handmade Chocolate

Nothing warms you up during a cold day exploring northern Scotland like chocolate.

Tobermory Handmade Chocolate is one of the best Isle of Mull attractions.

This adorable little chocolate shop sells the most beautiful treats you’ve ever seen.

Indulge in an assortment of little flavored truffles, or sip on a warm cup of creamy hot chocolate.

  • Location: Main Street, Isle of Mull
  • Hours: 9 am to 5 pm, closed Sundays

11. Walk to Rubha Nan Gall Lighthouse

From the town center of Tobermory, you can embark on a nice, peaceful and scenic walk to the Rubha Nan Gall Lighthouse.

Built in 1857, the lighthouse is set in a very secluded area of the island and offers amazing views of the surrounding ocean and scenery.

The entire walk is about 5.5 km long and takes roughly 2 hours.

Rubha Nan Gall Lighthouse
The Rubha Nan Gall Lighthouse is located in a quiet and peaceful area of the Isle of Mull.

12. Admire Duart Castle

Duart Castle is an incredible piece of history to see in Scotland that was built in the 13th Century.

The castle has been restored since its original state. But you can still feel that mysterious element of history in its thick stone walls.

Duart Castle has many rooms and a dungeon, a garden, and a tearoom and hosts tours throughout the grounds.

It is located in the southeast of the Isle of Mull and overlooks the ocean.

13. Enjoy a Scenic Drive through the Countryside

Despite all these amazing activities, I think just driving around is one of the best things to do on the Isle of Mull.

Winding, single-track roads curve up and down the hills of the island, offering breathtaking views of the ocean and countryside.

You’re bound to see plenty of local animals, like sheep, goats, and cows.

Honestly, I should put highland cows as their own point on this list of the best things to do in the Isle of Mull.

Their long shaggy hair and intimidating horns make them some of the cutest yet most majestic creatures there are.

highland cow scotland
A fuzzy highland cow soaks in the Scottish sunshine

14. Treat Yourself to some Local Shortbread

Just like whisky or homemade chocolate, some flaky, buttery shortbread is sure to warm your soul on a chilly day in the Isle of Mull.

Homemade Scottish shortbread puts any store-bought shortbread to shame, and there are a few great places to find the real stuff of the island.

Tobermory Bakery and Tea Room and the Island Bakery in Tobermory, as well as Isle of Mull Shortbread in Dervaig offer some of the best shortbread, so be sure to treat yourself!

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So those are the 14 best things to do on the Isle of Mull, Scotland!

It’s a truly stunning corner of Great Britain that should not be overlooked.

Before embarking on your epic travels in Scotland, consider buying travel insurance.

I recommend Squaremouth Insurance; they have lots of affordable plans and a super helpful live chat so you can ask any questions and get a quick reply.

Are you thinking of traveling to Scotland? Visit iVisa.com to find out if you need a visa.

14 BEST THINGS TO DO ISLE OF MULL SCOTLAND

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