loveMull : an insiders guide

At loveMULL, we say a trip to Mull is "worth the ferry" — and we mean it. This is our guide to doing it properly.

Mull takes a bit of effort to reach. You need to book a ferry, drive to Oban, and commit to it. Most people who do, come back.

At loveMULL, we say a trip to Mull is "worth the ferry" — and we mean it.

This is our guide to doing it properly.

The island is big enough to feel genuinely wild — one road crosses the middle, the west coast is largely untouched, and you can spend a day without seeing another car. But it's not remote in the way that puts people off. Tobermory has good restaurants and a working distillery. The wildlife is extraordinary. The smaller islands nearby — Iona, Ulva, Staffa — are each worth a day of their own.

This guide covers aspects you need: where to eat and stay, what to do, how to get here, and what buying property on the island actually looks like. We've tried to make it the guide we'd want to read ourselves — specific, honest, and short on filler.

A wee bit of Gaelic

Scottish Gaelic is still spoken on Mull. You won't need it — but using even one word will get you a smile. Here are five to try.

Halò — Hello

Pronounced: hah-LAW

Tapadh leat — Thank you

Pronounced: TAH-puh let

To one person. Use tapadh leibh (TAH-puh lev) for a group or more formal setting.

Slàinte mhath — Cheers / Good health

Pronounced: SLAHN-chuh VAH

The one everyone should know. Said before every dram.

Màthair nàdair — Mother nature

Pronounced: MAH-her NAH-der

Because that's what you're here for.

Eilean nam Muc — Isle of Mull

Pronounced: AY-lan nam Mook

Literally "island of the pigs" in old Gaelic. Nobody knows why.

Fàilte — Welcome

Pronounced: FAL-cha

You'll see it on signs everywhere. Now you know what it means.