Fantastic Isle of Mull Outdoor Adventures

Outdoor Adventures on the Isle of Mull

The Isle of Mull in Scotland is an ideal location for enjoying outdoor adventure. The Isle of Mull, located off the west coast of Scotland in the Inner Hebrides, offers a rare combination of raw nature, adventure, and solitude. It is more remote than the popular Isle of Skye; therefore, you can explore the wilds without the crowds.

I spent 4 days in May on the Isle of Mull indulging in a treasure trove of outdoor adventures. I did an e-biking day trip along a remote sea loch, went on a sea kayaking trip along the rugged coast, took a boat trip to see the island breeding ground of 1500 puffins, and hiked on the historic and scenic island of Iona.

There are many other outdoor adventures on the Isle of Mull; however, I’ll share the ones I experienced during my 4 days on the island.

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E-biking Outdoor Adventure on the Isle of Mull

To get to the Isle of Mull, I took the ferry from Oban to Craignure with my car. I had booked an afternoon ferry months before my trip, but I was excited to get out early to Mull on a beautiful day.

I ended up catching a morning ferry so I could squeeze in a half-day of e-biking on the Isle of Mull—and I’m so glad I did. Honestly, biking on Mull turned out to be one of the highlights of my whole trip to Scotland. The island is perfect for biking, with quiet, single-lane roads winding past mountains, beaches, and sea lochs. It felt like it was made for cyclists.

I rented a high-quality e-bike from Cycle Mull in Salen. The owner, Sheena, was super helpful and gave me a bunch of route options. I picked a 24-mile out-and-back that followed a stunning loch.

The beginning of the ride took me past some of the tallest mountains on Mull, including Ben More—it’s the island’s only Munro, which is what they call mountains over 3,000 feet in Scotland. Hill walkers are kind of obsessed with them. I cruised by scenic farms and old stone buildings before reaching the shores of Loch Na Keal. It was just one gorgeous view after another.

The riding was super easy along the one-lane road—drivers on Mull are incredibly polite. Every single one I came across pulled into the passing places so I could cruise by. Most of the few cars I did see seemed to be full of birdwatchers searching out a good headland to set up their spotting scopes. The birdlife was incredible. I was especially struck by the bright orange beaks of the oystercatchers. They really popped against the coastal landscape.

Lambing season on Mull

Since it was May, it was lambing season on the island, which made the ride even more special. The sides of the road were full of ewes and their playful little lambs. The babies were hilarious—leaping around in these clumsy, joyful hops—while the mamas did their best to keep them out of my path. It was adorable and added to the magic of the day.

After about 12 miles of riding, I reached my turnaround point at Bacca Cottage—a charming, whitewashed stone bungalow tucked beneath the dramatic, remote cliffs. The views from there were unreal. You could see out to the surrounding islands. It felt like I’d stumbled into a postcard.

Just down from the cottage was a gorgeous golden sand beach that, in my opinion, gives the more well-known Calgary Beach a run for its money. It was full of shorebirds and, of course, more sheep. I plopped down on the sand for lunch, just soaking it all in while the lambs bounced around nearby. It was such a peaceful, beautiful spot.

And the best part? Thanks to the e-bike, I barely noticed that the whole way out had been uphill. The ride back was pure joy—a fast, breezy downhill cruise along those smooth, empty roads. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable ride.

Related post-> E-biking Trips in Scotland You Don’t Want to Miss

Sea Kayaking Outdoor Adventure on the Isle of Mull

Sea kayaking along the wild coast of Scotland is truly one of the most memorable experiences on the Isle of Mull. I explored the rugged Ross of Mull—a remote and windswept stretch of shoreline on the Isle of Mull—by kayak, and it felt like paddling through another world. The scenery was breathtaking, with granite cliffs, sea caves, and quiet coves unfolding around every bend.

I joined a guided outing with Bendoran Watersports, a small, locally run outfitter based near Bunessan. The owner Jon’s extensive knowledge of the area and commitment to low-impact travel made it a perfect fit. We had remarkably calm conditions the day I went out, especially given the north-facing bay.

The paddling trip traces the rugged coast of Loch na Lathaich. The pink granite cliffs glowed in the sunlight. Being on the water offered a whole new perspective on Mull’s coastal beauty. The remoteness of the area made it feel like we had the sea entirely to ourselves.

One of the highlights was drifting into Market Bay and simply floating in silence. Eventually, we pulled our kayaks onto a pristine white sand beach for a break. It looked like something out of the Caribbean, though the grazing sheep on the nearby hillside were a clear reminder we were still in Scotland.

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Visiting Market Bay by kayak

Market Bay is so named as it was the gathering spot for cattle from the surrounding islands before they made their way to the cattle markets on the mainland.

Traditionally, the Royal Yacht Britannia would anchor in Market Bay so the Royal Family could enjoy the quiet tranquility and the sandy beaches for a picnic. Jon had some funny stories about encounters with the staff of the Britannia when the Royals wanted some privacy on shore.

As we stretched our legs on the beach, Jon poured hot chocolate for everyone and shared homemade chocolate caramel brownies. As we enjoyed our snack, people on the trip shared tales in the spirit of connection that is a hallmark of Bendoran Watersports.

If you find yourself on the Isle of Mull, I highly recommend exploring the coast by kayak. It’s a chance to witness one of Scotland’s most unspoiled coastlines in a truly unforgettable way. Benadorn Watersports uses different paddling areas around the Isle of Mull. The trip I went on launched from the beach at the company base. Other trips explore the stunning south coast of the Ross of Mull peninsula. There are half-day and full-day trips, as well as overnight expeditions.

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Wildlife Outdoor Adventure on the Isle of Mull

If you are a wildlife lover, the Isle of Mull is for you. In days on Mull, I saw many creatures, including birdlife, marine mammals, and land animals. There are even Highland Coos on the island!

The centerpiece of my wildlife outdoor adventures was a boat trip to the Treshnish Islands and Staffa Island. I went with Tauras Mara tours, a family-owned business, on their wildlife tour departing from the Ulva ferry landing. If you are not driving but looking for a tour similar to the one I did, try this puffin tour departing from Edinburgh.

The boat tour starts with a visit to Staffa Island. As we motored toward the island, one of the crew spotted a Minke whale cruising through the dark blue water. We watched it diving and surfacing until it was time to continue to Staffa.

Due to construction on the Staffa landing, we were not able to disembark on the island. However, the views of Fingal’s Cave were excellent from the ship. The huge sea cave has towering hexagonal basalt columns. Kayakers launched from a nearby boat and explored the wide cave mouth. I stored it in my memory as an outdoor adventure on Mull for my next trip. Staffa has a population of nesting puffins; however, we were only able to see them floating at a distance on the water.

The Puffins of Lunga Island

The highlight of the wildlife tour was Lunga Island in the Treshnish Islands. Passengers were allowed two hours to go ashore and get a dose of puffin therapy. The island is home to approximately 1,500 nesting puffins. Once I climbed the first hill on the island, hundreds of puffins appeared hanging out near their burrows on the clifftop. A rope stretched a foot away from the puffins delineated how close I could get. It was magical to sit and watch these clown-like birds dig out their burrows or collect grasses to line their nests. The puffins weren’t bothered by people so close or the constant clicks of cameras.

I hiked the trail to the back of the island, enjoying puffins among the rocks and in flight. As I crested the highest point on the island, I was surprised by a huge sea stack that held thousands more seabirds. Black Razorbills were the most abundant birds on Harp Rock, however, shag, kittiwake, and guillemot colonies all have a distinct place on the enormous sea cliff.

After a glorious 2 hours on Lunga, we boarded the ship for the return trip. The captain told stories about the history and lore of the islands we passed. I spotted a seal in the channel, and then we saw another seal on the rocks of a nearby island.

In sum, it was a fabulous way to see the wildlife of the Isle of Mull.

Wildlife tour tips

The wildlife tours landing on Lunga Island start in early April when the puffins arrive. The end of the puffin season is early August when they depart.

Make sure you book the full-day wildlife trip from Mull to spend time on Lunga Island with the puffins and other seabirds. Fellow travelers I met during my stay at the Arle Lodge were disappointed by the half-day tour because they only saw puffins from a distance.

Conditions on the boat tour are windy, wet, and cold, so prepare with the proper gear. A warm jacket, a good raincoat, and waterproof shoes are a must. Bring your own drinks and food as they aren’t sold on board.

The popular Scottish tour company, Rabbie’s Tours, has a range of excursions to see wildlife and experience the country’s outdoor beauty.

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Hiking Outdoor Adventure on the Isle of Mull

The Isle of Mull has countless hiking outdoor adventures from mountain ascents to woodland strolls to a waterfall. The best way to find hikes on Mull (and all of Scotland) is to download the Walkhighlands App. The Isle of Mull cottages website also has wonderful curated walks on the island.

I definitely recommend hiking on Isle of Iona, the picture postcard island on the southwest end of Mull. The ferry to Iona runs about once on hour so it’s easy to do a day trip.

The coastal walking path on the island wanders north through the ruins of the nunnery up to the Iona Abby, which has been labeled the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland. The trail continues with a spur path up Dun I, the highest point on the island. The views of the Ross of Mull and the outlying islands are worth the short climb. You can continue to the northern beaches and return. Conversely, continue around the wild west side of Iona to complete a loop trail.

The history of Iona is fascinating so make sure you allow time to persue the the nunnery ruins and abby. I found the small museum along the path to be well worth a visit too.

I stopped for tea and a scone on the lawn of the Argyll Hotel while I marveled at the gorgeous shoreline. While chatting with a lovely Scottish woman, I spied an otter climbing on the seaweed on the rocks. It certainly was the perfect way to end my hike on Iona.

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Logistics of Planning an Outdoor Adventure on the Isle of Mull

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Getting to the Isle of Mull

Take a ferry from Oban to Craignure to reach the Isle of Mull. Book tickets for the CalMac ferry online. It’s a good idea to book ahead of time if you have a car, as some sailings sell out. It’s a scenic 45-minute ride to Craignure.

Accommodation on the Isle of Mull

With all accommodations in Scotland, it’s important to book early. Desired places to stay are reserved up to six months in advance. I make sure to book accommodations with free cancellation on Booking.com so I can be flexible with planning.

I stayed in Aros, a centrally located area on the Isle of Mull, allowing me to be near many outdoor adventures. The bike rental company was just down the road in the next town over. The meeting point for the puffin tour was at the ferry to Ulva, a scenic hour-long drive from my lodge. The sea kayaking company and the Iona ferry were about a 3.5-hour drive.

My stay at the Arle Lodge near Aros was totally enjoyable. The self-catering lodge has huge windows overlooking a gorgeous sea loch. There is a large living room with comfy sofas to relax after a busy day of outdoor adventure. I enjoyed meeting other travellers in the common spaces to share tales of our explorations. The large self-catering kitchen is the most organized I’ve ever seen.

I also stayed in Oban the night before taking the ferry to Mull. I had a pleasant stay at the Don Muir Guesthouse. The comfy guest rooms are an affordable option with snacks and a continental breakfast. Be sure to visit the nearby Pulpit Hill Viewing Point for the best sunrise over the ocean.

Getting Around Scotland

I highly recommend having a car to visit Scotland. While it’s possible to use the excellent public transportation system in Scotland, there are many places for an outdoor adventurer to explore that require a car. I found driving on the left side to be very manageable. If you aren’t comfortable driving a manual car, make sure to book an automatic, as the standard shift is the usual default for car companies.

I use and recommend Discover Cars for your Scotland car rental. Discover Cars works with reliable local car rental companies to give you the best price and rental experience. I’ve used them often and have always been pleased with my car rental and the cheaper prices.

Communications for Scotland

The best way to get the data needed to use apps and communicate in Scotland is with a digital SIM card for your phone.

I’ve become a fan of eSIM cards for communication on international trips. An eSIM card can be bought online and easily installed on your phone before you travel. When you reach your destination, turn on the eSIM in your settings, and you will have data to use when you are away from Wi-Fi.

I use an Airalo eSIM card for all my international travel. eSIMs are significantly less expensive than my phone carrier’s international charges. Plus, it’s easy to top them off when you run low on data.

Wrap Up of Outdoor Adventure on the Isle of Mull

Scotland is a very popular destination for travelers who love being in the outdoors. As a result, places such as Glencoe, the Isle of Sky, and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park have hords of visitors especially in the summer. Therefore, I recommend outdoor adventure on the Isle of Mull as an alternative.

In retrospect, I wish I had spent a week on the Isle of Mull. Mull is a large island so you won’t run out of places for outdoor fun. Add in the wonderful locals, fabulous seafood, and a vibe of tranquility and you have an excellent outdoor destination in Scotland.

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