Amongst the Inner Hebrides, off the West Coast of Scotland lie the Isle of Mull and Isle of Iona. Together with Mull’s idyllic offshore islands, they provide an outstanding abundance of scenery, culture and wildlife to discover.
Experience the natural beauty of the rugged cliffs, silver-sand beaches, dramatic mountains, ancient forests, and flowering machair. Combined with the sparkling lochs, rivers and waterfalls, the islands of Mull and Iona are a simply breathtaking place to visit.
Throughout the islands, there is evidence of a captivating past, from early Viking settlers to stories of the Spanish Armada. Explore the ruins of ancient sites, dramatic historic monuments and evocative deserted townships – there are centuries of history for you to uncover.
Mull and Iona have a fascinating diversity of environments, too. When planning your trip, make sure you check out all seven of the distinct regions, each unique in landscape and geology. Our islands are a surprisingly big place! Whether you are looking for exciting activities, immersive cultural attractions, or close encounters with wildlife, Mull and Iona are full of incredible memories.
Mull & Iona Regions
Tobermory & North East Mull
Tobermory, in its colourful harbour setting, has many lively pubs and attractions; inland, scenic Loch Frisa is home to Mull Eagle Watch.
In Tobermory, the main town on the Isle of Mull, you will find a wide range of accommodation, specialist shops, eateries, pubs and many other attractions, including boat trips. Outwith Tobermory, North East Mull feels remote and wild - Loch Frisa awaits you, offering way-marked trails in the stunning scenery and ranger-led tours with the Mull Eagle Watch group.
The villages of Salen and Craignure provide excellent transport links and services, within a scenic coastline peppered with sea inlets.
The South East coast is a vital transport hub for Mull, but there are also ancient monuments, coastal walks and stunning secret bays for you to discover. Salen is the central point in Mull for travelling to all other areas, while Craignure is the busy ferry port for Oban. You will find the iconic Duart Castle dramatically perched above Duart Bay – one of the most impressive and influential historical attractions on the Isle of Mull.
The passage through the Ben More mountains reveals the Ross of Mull peninsula, fringed with amazing rock formations and silver-sand beaches.
Here you will find many small communities, from the village of Pennyghael to the main centre of Bunessan, home to the Ross of Mull Historical Centre. The whole area is a hotspot for rare wildlife, finding a home amongst the small villages and evocative abandoned townships that are scattered along the coast. At the very tip is Fionnphort, your departure point for the ferry to Iona and boat trips to Staffa and Treshnish.
The Isle of Iona is tiny in size but huge in terms of special charm, wildlife, beauty, global influence and fascinating history.
Known as the “cradle of Christianity”, Iona has an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity, enhanced by shell-sand beaches and fringed with intense blue-green seas. Accessed by a short ferry journey from the Ross of Mull, your first stop might be a visit to the Abbey. But Iona has many other exceptional qualities waiting for you to experience; an unspoiled natural environment where rare wildlife thrives.
Ben More and Burg are on the Ardmeanach Peninsula, in the mountainous centre of the Isle of Mull, strikingly set between two magnificent sea lochs.
The imposing Ben More can be seen from all over Mull, while the rugged cliffs of Burg are almost architectural in structure. Together, they provide an outstanding and unique dramatic backdrop to the landscape of Mull, mirrored in the sea lochs below. You can follow the scenic route across the peninsula and take in the wild coastline, cliffs and mountain vistas, or walk the Burg footpath to marvel at MacCulloch’s 50-million-year-old fossil tree.
Many islands lie off the west coast of the Isle of Mull and the Isle of Iona. Few are inhabited, but several can be visited; all are important wildlife habitats.
Of the many uninhabited islands, the beautiful Treshnish Isles are havens for wildlife, which you can visit on one of the daily boat trips departing from Tobermory, Ulva Ferry, Fionnphort and Iona. The nearby Isle of Staffa (of Fingal’s Cave fame) is also a very popular destination, its basalt columns enchanting visitors over the centuries.
In addition, you can access the islands of Ulva, Gometra and Erraid – each small in population but large in character!
The north west of Mull is an unspoiled wilderness, with a dramatic coastline of cliffs and beaches, and the picturesque village of Dervaig at its centre.
Along the coast, high cliffs plunge to the sea, interspersed with secret sandy beaches and rocky coves, home to rare wildlife. Beautiful Calgary Bay is a prime attraction for beach-lovers, while historic Dervaig, surrounded by forest paths, is a popular base for the outdoor enthusiast. To the south, a wild coastal trail overlooks Loch Tuath and offers many diversions for you to explore on the way to Loch Na Keal.
Find inspiration for discovering the best of what the Isle of Mull & Iona has to offer. Our guides are crafted hand in hand with our local community. So, they are full of local knowledge!