Isle of Mull Wildlife Extravaganza

Typical Itinerary

1. Day 1: Meet in Glasgow and travel to Isle of Mull

   Our Isle of Mull Wildlife Extravaganza commences at Glasgow airport in the morning, where we drive north through ever increasingly dramatic scenery to Oban, where we then enjoy the short (45 minutes) scenic ferry ride to Craignure.

   Arriving in Craignure, we then drive along Mulls eastern coastline, admiring the Sound of Mull to reach our base for the next seven nights at Killiechronan House on the edge of Loch Na Keal, a perfect introduction to this beautiful island. We have an opportunity to settle into our accommodation, before enjoying a delicious welcome meal and introductory briefing.

   Accommodation: The Killiechronan House, 7-nights

2. Day 2: Explore the North of Mull

   We've arrived on Eagle Island - home to one of the densest populations of white-tailed and golden eagles in Western Europe! It's time to start exploring the stunning north-west coast of Mull via the single-track roads which skirt the headlands. Mull is a very important breeding site for hen harriers, which are much persecuted and increasingly rare across the UK. Here they're free to sky dance and nest without interference, and we hope to see some on our journey today. Along the way, we could also encounter short-eared owl, red grouse and will always be on the lookout for otter activity in the bays. We also call in at Treshnish Farm to admire their wildflower meadows and, with luck, find some of the 15 species of native orchid that have been recorded here.

   On our travels, we spend time at one of the most stunning beaches in the Hebrides at Calgary; a place to linger and stretch our legs. There's a fantastic art gallery and craft workshop nearby, which we find time to call into.

   On our circular journey back to Killichronan, we come via the lovely little village of Dervaig with its unusual pencil-steeple church and then through Glen Bellart and Glen Aros back to Salen.

3. Day 3: Full day boat trip to The Treshnish Isles

   We choose our day to ensure we get the best weather possible for our all-day visit to the magical Treshnish Isles, a Special Protection Area (SPA) for its nationally important population of nesting seabirds. Owned and managed by the Hebridean Trust, we sail from Ulva Ferry on the west coast of Mull and watch for seals and seabirds on route.

   On Lunga, the main island of the Treshnish Isles, we ascend the slope up to the main puffin colony who will be there to greet us. It's a moment which will live in your soul forever.

   If you wish you can literally spend all day with the puffins, but there's also the chance to venture on a little further to Harp Rock where the cacophony and aroma of the main colony will hit you between the eyes (and nose!). Kittiwakes, fulmars, razorbills, guillemots and black guillemots await, and it's truly a sight to behold.

4. Day 4: Explore the South of Mull

   We're back on dry land today as we explore the southern part of Mull's 480 kilometres of coastline. Along the southern shore of Loch na Keal and the northern shore of Loch Scridain, we're in prime otter country, and we will slowly and carefully scan every bay and inlet for that tell-tale ring of bright water.

   The dramatic Gribun cliffs are home to nesting buzzard, peregrine and kestrel as well as passing golden eagles. There are shore birds such as oystercatchers, redshank, ringed plover and a variety of gull species on Gribun beach before we head south over the hill road to Tiroran. There's a pair of white-tailed eagles nesting nearby, inspiration for the award-winning Whitetail Gin and we’ll be sure to call in at the family run distillery to sample the local produce!

   After lunch, we continue our exploration along Loch Scridain in search of otters, whilst also encountering grey heron and maybe a late great northern diver offshore. Later we venture into Glen More, bordered on both sides by steep mountains and into the domain of golden eagles and red deer. We spend time scanning for the 'king of birds' and hope to pick one up drifting along a ridge line or soaring on the thermals. There's also the chance of short-eared owl, raven and hen harrier in this area. Red deer are calving now, so we will be looking for them too.

5. Day 5: Whale & dolphin watching

   This morning, we head into the fishing harbour of Tobermory itself where we board a vessel and go in search of cetaceans. The west coast, Hebridean waters are famed for the richness of marine life and this includes harbour porpoise, bottle-nosed dolphin, common dolphin, minke whale and basking shark. Very occasionally, the west coast pod of orca or a humpback whale also cruises by!

   We head out of the harbour with a skilled and experienced crew of whale watchers and hope to catch a glimpse of these creatures of the deep. Along the way we should also encounter a range of seabirds including gannets and Manx shearwaters, great skua, white-tailed eagle, grey and common seal. As ever we will be governed by the weather but will stay at sea for the bulk of the day before returning to Tobermory and then exploring the road and skirt the southern shores of Loch na Keal. A huge sea loch that almost cuts Mull in two, Loch na Keal is prime otter habitat, and we quietly watch and observe for signs of fishing otters and look for their trails and spraints in some key locations.

6. Day 6: Iona & the south of Mull

   After breakfast, we set off for a day out to the south of the island, starting with a scenic journey to Fionnphort, before crossing the water to the beautiful and windswept island of Iona. Walking out of the village and into the grasslands here, we hope to experience the unmistakable calls of the elusive corncrakes that breed here. We will need good fortune to observe these notoriously shy and skulking birds, but just the sound of several of calling in close proximity to us is a special treat. After exploring a little more of this small island, including a visit to its stunning coral white beach and a sea watch, we return to Mull. Back on Mull, we spend time around beautiful Loch Scridain where resting harbour seals and eiders may be found along its rocky edges and waders and otters foraging in the sheltered corners. 

7. Day 7: White-tailed eagle boat trip

   This is the day we get up close and personal with Britain's largest bird of prey, the white-tailed eagle. 

   We have exclusive trips planned with Mull Charters, the only boat operator on Mull to offer specialised sea eagle viewing and photography opportunities. They work within the RSPB's Code of Conduct to ensure the eagles stay safe and undisturbed, but they do come close, so be sure to have your cameras and lenses ready! 

   This is a highlight to conclude our week on Mull celebrating the wildlife riches of Eagle Island which does have a lot of eagles but also so much more.

8. Day 8: Return to Glasgow

   Sadly, it's departure day, and we head back to Craignure for our ferry to Oban. After looking out for some final seabird or cetacean sightings, on the ferry crossing, it's time to head back to Glasgow. The drive back takes us along much of the route of the West Highland Way, through some spectacular mountain valleys and past the beautiful, wooded shores of Loch Lomond. We arrive back at Glasgow airport in the mid-afternoon where the tour concludes.