The spectacular coastal scenery and superb wildlife of the west coast of Scotland. 

Mull is renowned as the most beautiful and most varied of the Inner Hebrides, second only in size to Skye, measuring 25 miles long by 26 miles wide, with an indented coastline more than 300 miles long and with its highest point at Ben More, 3172 feet above sea level.

Mull has a variety and abundance of wildlife hard to match elsewhere. More than 800 species of flowering plants grow on the island, including sword-leaved helleborine and oysterplant. Birds include hen harrier, golden eagle, twite and black guillemot, together with corncrake on Iona and several pairs of white-tailed eagles: a sighting of one of these massive ‘flying barn doors’ would be amongst the highlights of our trip. Around the coast, otters and both common and grey seals are regularly seen, whilst offshore there is always the chance of spotting a minke whale or a pod of dolphins.

As well as exploring Mull itself, we will also spend time on the smaller islands of Iona, Ulva, Staffa and Lunga. Iona is famous for its Abbey and the Christian heritage established by Saint Columba more than 1400 years ago. The highlight of our visit to Staffa will no doubt be the magical Fingal’s cave, immortalised by Mendelssohn and an impressive natural wonder. Lunga is home to nesting puffins, guillemots and razorbills, while the privately owned ‘wolf island’ of Ulva is the location of ‘Sheila’s Cottage’ and a heritage museum that provides an insight into the history of the island.

Together with the fantastic wildlife, Mull has some spectacular landscapes and we will have time to enjoy the variety of scenery and the pace of island life. This will be our third visit to this wonderful island.
 

£895, Single Room Supplement £75

Leaders: Nick and Frankie Owens