Mull and Iona
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-> Mull and IonaMull and Iona are popular tourist destinations accessed by ferry from Oban. Mull is a mainly barren but fascinating island with mountains, lochs, sandy beaches, castles and lots of interesting walks. The views towards the mainland and islands are stunning. The main town is Tobermory with its attractive multi-coloured houses along the seafront and a busy harbour, especially during the West Highland Yachting Week. Large cruise liners also call here. It has a museum, a distillery and a Marine Discovery Centre, focusing on whales and dolphins. There are a number of annual events: the Mull Music Festival takes place in April; the Mull Highland Games and dance in July; the Tour of Mull Rally in October; and Tobermory hosts for one night in July, boats on the West Highland Yachting Week.
North and Central Mull
Places to visit in the northern part of the island include the Mull Little Theatre and the Old Byre Heritage Centre at Dervaig. Mackinnon's Cave near Balmeanach in central Mull with its Fingal's Table is thought to have been used by Celtic monks. The island of Ulva lies off the west coast of Mull and offers good walking and cycling opportunities.
South Mull
The A849 cuts across the south of Mull from Craignure in the east to Fionnphort on the west, opposite Iona, passing through rather barren countryside. There are two castles just south of Craignure: the Victorian Scottish Baronial mansion, Torosay Castle, and the more spectacular 14th century Duart Castle, one of the oldest inhabited castles in Scotland, restored by war hero Sir Fitzroy McLean in 1911. Information on local history can be found at the Ross of Mull Historical Centre and the Columba Centre, towards the west coast.
Other Islands
Just off the south-western tip of Mull lies Iona, a popular destination for visitors seeking to experience the spiritual atmosphere of the restored early 13th century Iona Abbey (on a site founded by St. Columba who arrived here in 563), the ruined 13th century nunnery and the burial site of many Scottish kings, including Macbeth. There are boat trips from various places on Mull to Fingal's Cave on the small island of Staffa and to observe the birds on the Treshnish Isles, Coll and Tiree. The strong winds on Tiree provide excellent windsurfing conditions and deters the dreaded midge!
Information
Mull is accessed by ferry from Oban to Craignure on Mull's south-eastern coast. There are flights from Glasgow to Tiree. There is a tourist office at the pier in both Craignure and Tobermory.
Hotels in this area include: Ulva House Hotel and Western Isles Hotel in Tobermory; Calgary Hotel; Bellachroy Hotel; Druimard Country House and Druimnacroish Hotel near Dervaig; Pennyghael Hotel (south Mull); Argyll Hotel on Iona; Scarinish Hotel and Tiree Lodge Hotel on Tiree; the Coll Hotel on Coll.
Restaurants in this area include: Tobermory - the Mishnish Hotel, Back Brae Restaurant, Pisces, Water's Edge (in the Tobermory Hotel), The Anchorage, the bistro in the Mull Pottery and MacGochan's; the Martyr's Bay Restaurant on Iona; the First Port of Coll Coll).
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