Isle of Mull
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-> Isle of MullThe second largest of the Inner Hebrides, Mull is by far the most accessible: just forty minutes from Oban by ferry. As so often, first impressions largely depend on the weather - it is the wettest of the Hebrides (and that's saying something) - for without the sun the large tracts of moorland, particularly around the island's highest peak, Ben More (3196ft), can appear bleak and unwelcoming. There are, however, areas of more gentle pastoral scenery around Dervaig in the north and the indented west coast varies from the sandy beaches around Calgary to the cliffs of Loch na Keal. The most common mistake is to try and "do" the island in a day or two: flogging up the main road to the picturesque capital of Tobermory, then covering the fifty-odd miles between there and Fionnphort, in order to visit Iona. Mull is a place that will grow on you only if you have the time and patience to explore.
Historically, crofting, whisky distilling and fishing supported the islanders (Muileachs), but the population - which peaked at 10,000 - decreased dramatically in the late nineteenth century due to the Clearances and the 1846 potato famine. On Mull, it is a trend that has been reversed, mostly due to the large influx of settlers from elsewhere in the country which has brought the current population up to over 2500. One of the main reasons for this resurgence is, of course, tourism - more than half a million visitors come here each year - although, oddly enough, there are very few large hotels or campsites.
Craignure is the main arrival point, with a frequent daily car ferry link with Oban (booking advised). Two much smaller car ferries operate on a first-come first-served basis: from Lochaline on the Morvern peninsula to the slipway at Fishnish, six miles northwest of Craignure; and from Kilchoan on the Ardnamurchan peninsula to Tobermory, 24 miles northwest of Craignure. Public transport on Mull is not too bad on the main A849, but there's more or less no service along the west coast (for more information, visit www.mict.co.uk/travel).
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