Holiday homes & rentals on the Isle of Mull

Geologists flock to Mull for its fascinating rock formations, some of which are about 2 billion years old. Rock structures like the Loch Ba Ring Dyke and Felsite are found nowhere else in the world. Meanwhile, Mull's white beaches, with their sun loungers and ice cream vans, await visitors from all over.

How to Get to Isle of Mull

Whether you're after a whiskey tour, mountain hikes, or blissful solitude on windswept beaches, Scotland's Isle of Mull is a great place to rent a holiday cottage. This charming island lies off Scotland's west coast, where the Atlantic waves beat against its rocky shores, and it has a wild feel that makes it feel a world away from the UK's major cities. But how do you get to Mull accommodation? It may be an island, but Mull isn't isolated, and there are plenty of ways to get there.

Firstly, travellers will probably need to catch a ferry from Oban at some stage during their journey. The crossing from Oban to Craignure is operated by CalMac and takes around 45 minutes. It tends to hook up with rail arrivals from Glasgow, but it also allows vehicles on board. So if you are arriving at Oban by car or motorbike, check the schedules to ensure you make your boat. There's no airport on Mull, but you can fly into Glasgow or Edinburgh and head to the island from there with ease.

The main challenge when travelling to accommodation on the Island of Mull is getting to Oban. 2-6 trains leave Glasgow Queen Street for Oban daily, and the journey takes about 3 hours 20 minutes, while those coming from Edinburgh will need to change in Glasgow and journey times will be around 5 hours. The Caledonian Sleeper also runs from London Euston and takes approximately 9 hours. Visitors can also drive to their holiday cottage via the car ferry. The most common route from Glasgow is via the A82 and A85, and you can expect the journey to take between 2 and 3 hours. Finally, Megabus runs coaches from Glasgow to Oban which take around 3 hours and also link up with ferries. They could be the most cost effective option of all.

Ancient beginnings

The Isle of Mull and its smattering of smaller islands have been populated since the last ice age, around 6500 BC. Around 4000 BC, Mesolithic hunter-gatherers inhabited Livingston's cave on Ulva. Axes and tools belonging to Neolithic farmers have been discovered, as well as forts, brochs, duns and other defensive settlements. The Vikings once ventured the area, and St. Columba arrived in the 5th century from Ireland, marking the beginning of the Christian era. Duart, Torosay, Glengorm, and a number of other castles remain stalwart storehouses of the region’s fascinating history. Be sure not to miss the Bronze Age Standing Stone Circle or Macquarie's Mausoleum.

Unique experiences

Pony trekking, wildlife spotting, and willow weaving are among the many activities enjoyed by younger visitors to the islands. Pony rides to suit all ages and abilities can be arranged, allowing you to see the exquisite countryside like our ancestors did centuries ago. Look out for grey seals, whales, and dolphins in the sea, and red deer, otters, and eagles on land. Willow sculptures and crafts have been created here for years, and you can learn about this traditional skill today in Craignure and the Ross of Mull.

Venture into storied scenery

Mull has been the stage set for a number of feature films, including Entrapment, starring Catherine Zeta Jones, and novels, such as Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson. Rent a bike and discover Eas Fors Waterfall, one of the most spectacular on Mull, and Calgary Bay, the most photographed beach in Scotland.

Frequently Asked Questions