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 Dervaig, Isle of Mull, PA75 6QW. Tel: 01688 400345  |
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(First season under new Chef)
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Further Information about Mull and Iona
The Isle of Mull lies off the west coast of Scotland. It is the third largest island of
the Hebrides, after Lewis and Skye. It is separated from the mainland district of Morvern
by the Sound of Mull, a busy and well sheltered sea route which is about 35 miles in length
and varying in width from 2 to 5 miles.
Its area is about 225,000 acres and from north to south it measures 24 miles. It is about 26
miles in width. However, Mull has a very broken, indented coastline with long sea lochs, rocky
headlands and numerous other offshore islands and skerries. The total length of the coastline
is about 300 miles.
Mull is famous in Gaelic song as "Muile nam Mor-bheann" - Mull of the Mountains. Many Gaelic
songs have been written in praise of its peaks. The central part of the island is the most
mountainous, the highest peak being Ben More (A' Beinn Mhor in Gaelic) at 3169 feet above sea
level. Ben More is the only Munro in the Scottish Islands outside Skye.(A Munro is a mountain
over 3000 feet named after Sir Hugh Munro, Bt. who first catalogued them over 100 years ago).
As well as the mountains the Isle of Mull is also famous for its streams, rivers and waterfalls. In
high winds, waterfalls are frequently blown back up the cliffs. There are very fine examples
to be found at Ardmeanach (An t-Aird Meadhanach - the Middle Headland, well named if you look at
the map) and at Eas Fors near Ulva Ferry. Eas Fors is an interesting name which reveals both the Norse
and Gaelic elements which make up so many of the placenames of Mull. Eas comes from the Gaelic and means
"waterfall" - Fors is from Norse and means "waterfall"! So if when it is referred to as the
"Eas Fors Waterfall", there is some serious repitition!
Mull's offshore islands show tremendous variety of character. At Tobermory, the main town, there is
Calve Island (Eilean Chailbh) sheltering the harbour. Off the west coast stretch the Treshnish Isles,
a fine little archipelego of basaltic islands: Carn na Burgh More, Carn na Burgh Beag, Fladda, Lunga,
Bac Mor (or the Dutchman's Cap) and Bac Beag.
Then there is Ulva and its neighbour to the west, Gometra, formerly a well-populated island but now
with a very small permanent population. It is accessible by private ferry from Ulva Ferry.
The Island of Staffa also lies to the west of Mull with its remarkable basalt columns and the world-
famous Fingals Cave. Well worth a visit on a good day! Boats leave from Fionnphort and Ulva Ferry.
The Island of Iona lies off the south-west tip of Mull, opposite the village of Fionnphort. Iona
needs very little introduction, being justly famous as the cradle of Christianity in Scotland, through
its association with St. Columba. A beautiful island, very popular with summer visitors.
Much more could be written here. For more comprehensive information check the two main Mull and Iona
web sites: Holiday Mull and Chamber
of Commerce. For pictures of Mull have a look at the Mull Photo Gallery. For pictures of Iona,
check out the Isle of Iona Photo Gallery.
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This site last updated 21st March 2000 |
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