Places to Visit around the Isle of Mull

The Island of Mull, has much to offer.

The Isle of Mull, is the largest Hebridean island and the easiest to reach from the mainland. It is probably best known internationally for the Island of Iona, which is reach via a short 15 minute ferry journey from Mull. In the photograph above you can see Iona abbey and some of the traditionally built houses which are near by.

The Island of Iona. St Columba landed here in 563AD. An abbey was founded and cells and buildings constructed.

Iona gained the reputation of the ‘Cradle of the Celtic Kingdom’ with pilgrims traveling from afar to seek the teachings of Columba and his disciples.

As years passed, the bodies of Kings of Scotland, Norway and France, clan chiefs and abbots were all conveyed here for burial.
 

The Nunnery on Iona was founded about 1200AD by the son of Somerled, the Lord of the Isles, some 500 years after the original Christian monastery was founded by St Columba.

It was the only medieval convent in Western Scotland.

 Today it is one of the best preserved examples in the British Isles of the smaller type of Medieval nunnery.

Major General Lachlan Macquarrie. Born in 1761 of Ulva farming stock, he rose through the army ranks to become Major General then Governor General of New South Wales, Australia from 1809 to 1820.

It is said his energy and initiative opened up the eastern Australian seaboard.

He is often referred to as the ‘Father of Australia’.

His mausoleum lies west of Salen on Mull. Signposted, it can be found north of the road junction on the West Coast route.

The Clearances and deserted villages. Between 1846 and 1861 about 60,000 people left the Islands and Western Highlands of Scotland as emigrants to the United States, Canada and Australia. Many were forcibly evicted, others left voluntarily with an active desire to seek a better life. It is important not to regard every deserted village as a clearance village, but many were.

There was no law to protect the Highlander who believed that claims of clan and heredity gave him an inalienable right to live on the land of his ancestors.

The 1886 Crofting Act attempted to give the Crofter some rights in law. This deserted village is beside the road, 1.3 miles south of Dervaig on the Devaig to Salen road. The ruins of the village overlook the bog lands of Druimnacroish. Isle of Mull.

Peat Cutting. In the old days peat was universally used as fuel. The cutting of the peats usually began in April as a family or even a communal event, with the spirit of co-operation between house holders.

The grassy surface along the top of the peat bank was skimmed off and laid on the uncovered area below. The peats were cut along the bank in oblong cubes usually by two men, one cutting the other lifting the peats to the bank.

Newly cut peats are very soft and have to be carefully laid to dry. This work was done by the women and children.

After about two weeks in good weather they were dry enough to be stacked in pyramids. In good weather the whole process took about a month. In wet years the peats never dried properly causing great discomfort to the people.

It has been calculated that 15,000 peats were required for an average family. A good man could cut 1,000 a day. This photograph was taken in May 2001 two and a half miles south of Dervaig, on the Dervaig to Salen Road, Isle of Mull.
 

Aros Park. Acquired by the Forestry Commission from the Allan family in 1952, the park formed the estate woodland surrounding Aros house, now demolished.

The park is full of interesting artifacts giving clues to its rich and varied history, fine waterfalls and a network of paths. Renowned for its superb views of Tobermory Bay.

It is accessible south of Tobermory by car or along the spectacular shore path starting in the large car park past the distillery.

 

The only bad Chief of the Duart Macleans and his wife.

Tradition has it that the Chief and his wife dabbled in witchcraft and because of this were denied internment in the holy ground of the Pennygown Chapel, being buried as near to it as possible.

The grave slabs allegedly depict the chief and his wife. Pennygown chapel can be found close to the road south of Salen on Mull.

 

Beaton Cairn & Cross was raised many years ago to commemorate the Beatons, the famous ‘Ollamnh Muileach’ or Mull doctors who were skilled in the use of herbal cures. They were physicians to the Lords of the Isles and later to the Macleans of Duart. The cross bears the markings GMB 1582 DMB, the initials of two of the most famous Beatons. Situated by the second passing place west of the Free Church at Pennyghael, Mull, approx 20m towards sea shore.

 

Calgary Wood is a newly created walk through beech woodland, past a restored mill pond and derelict sawmill to views of Calgary Sands and the Ocean beyond. Enjoy an abundance of wild flowers, woodland plants, bird and wildlife, along with tastefully displayed sculpture complimenting the walk. Open dawn to dusk all year. A leaflet to guide you around the Wood is available from Calgary Hotel, by Dervaig, Isle of Mull. 01688 400256.