Visiting The Isle of Mull - Our favourite things to see

As the second-largest island of the Inner Hebrides, The Isle of Mull has remained a popular place to visit for mainland Scots and tourists alike. Despite how much the island has to offer, we feel it is often overlooked when compared to islands like Arran and Skye. We wanted to correct that, so we've highlighted a few of our favourite things about the island for you to check out. Let's get into it:

Calgary Bay

If you're at all familiar with The Isle of Mull, then the word 'Calgary' is probably quite familiar to you. On the island, you've got Calgary, a hamlet that is home to Calgary Castle and Calgary Bay. You'll find Calgary about 5 miles to the west of Dervaig, the picturesque village. Although the castle is great to visit, the beach on the bay is absolutely stunning and worth a visit on its own. What we really love about Calgary Bay is the range of scenery you can find - you've got the beautiful sea and white sands, but you've also got large rocky parts that can be explored, and the beach is set within rolling green hills. Despite being large and stunning, the beach is often quiet, making it fantastic for long walks. There are sediment deposits scattered along the beach which are interesting to look at too.

If you're visiting Calgary Bay then there are a few things to be aware of - firstly, there is a car park near the beach. It's within walking distance of the jetty and only 100 yards from the beach, making it very convenient. Secondly, dogs are welcome but owners are encouraged to keep them on a lead in some of the grassy parts of the beach as often wildlife can be nesting in these parts. Calgary Bay is definitely a must-visit if you're planning a trip to Mull.

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MacQuarie's Mausoleum

3 miles from Salen you'll find Macquarie’s Mausoleum, a fascinating Victorian building which contains the mortal remains of Major General Macquarie of Jarvisfield.

Macquarie’s Mausoleum is thought to have been built in 1851 as a gesture by the Drummond family who successfully fought off a challenge to young Lachlan’s will by a Macquarie cousin.

Interestingly, the building is owned by the National Trust of Australia but is cared for by the National Trust for Scotland. This is because Major General Macquarie was often described as the Father of Australia.

The building is nice to look at, and the sandstone structure gives it an interesting look. Definitely one to visit if you're an Oz visiting Mull!

Duart Castle

This 13th-century castle is the seat of Clan MacLean and is one of the top tourist attractions on The Isle of Mull. Set right next to the water, it's a stunning location and well-worth a visit if you're heading to the island. Although the castle is now used for weddings and events and has a tea room, it still retains the feeling of a structure that is more than 700 years old. Restorations have obviously been made, but much of the original building maintains.

There is an exhibition at the castle which gives information about Clan MacLean and it'll cost you £8.50 for an adult ticket (kids are usually around half the price of an adult). Enjoy!

Birds found on the Isle of Mull

If you're interested in bird watching then The Isle of Mull is an excellent place to head. Some of the amazing birds you can spot on the island include:

Great Grey Shrike
Yellow-browed Warbler
Hawfinch
Firecrest
Golden Eagles (Mull has the highest density of nesting golden eagles in Europe)
Sea Eagle
Puffins

Rarer birds that have been spotted near or on the island include:

European Roller
Wryneck
Bee-eaters
Red-necked Phalarope
Sabines Gull
drake Blue-winged Teal
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Ross's Gull
American Golden-Plover
Little Gull
King Eider

As you can see from the lists above, some incredible birds can be spotted on the island. Some of the best places to head on Mull if you want a chance of spotting these birds would include: