Holiday rentals in Isle of Mull

Beauty doesn’t get wilder than the Isle of Mull. This Inner Hebridean island off the west coast of Scotland has everything: spectacularly rugged coastline, silver-sand beaches, glittering lochs, waterfalls, and even an extinct volcano. Wildlife abounds, from the eagles overhead to the dolphins and whales offshore and the otters lazing near rock pools; the uninhabited but accessible islands of Staffa and the Treshnish Isles are havens for seabirds like guillemots and puffins. Mull’s scenery is enhanced by picturesque villages — from Craignure and Bunessan to the candy-colored main town of Tobermory — and ruins dating to the Stone Age, and the 13th-century Duart Castle.

Island weather can be especially unpredictable, so you need to go out each day prepared for anything from sunshine to a raging storm. Temperatures in the summer months of June, July, and August average around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and drop to 40 degrees from December through February. It can rain up to 23 days in the month, and it’s always a bit windy, so make sure you have warm clothing and waterproof layers whatever time of year you go. Be prepared, too, for midges between June and September; they’re particularly bad in damp, warm weather, so you should definitely pack repellent, and it might be worth investing in some net protection for your face if you find them particularly bothersome.

Tobermory

The Isle of Mull’s capital clings to the waterfront on the northeast of the island. Its romantic fishing harbor, surrounded by bright multicolored houses, is known in Britain as the setting of a popular children’s TV program.

Ben More

The extinct volcano that dominates the center of Mull is a Munro — the Scottish term for a mountain over 3,000 feet — and the only one to be found on any island besides Skye. It’s a strenuous five-to-six-hour climb to the top, but you need only get halfway up to enjoy its incredible views.

Ross of Mull

The southwestern peninsula of the island offers some of the island’s most sensational scenery, thanks to its hidden beaches, pink granite outcrops, and emerald waters.

Fingal’s Cave

Basalt columns and solidified lava created this magical sea cave on the Isle of Staffa, which lent itself to the name of a famous epic poem. Visit by boat to experience the extraordinary acoustics that inspired a famous music composer.

Iona

This tiny holy isle, population 120, has been a place of pilgrimage since St Columba established a monastic community here in 563 AD and brought Christianity to Scotland; its 13th-century abbey still stands.