To strongly suggest you all consider the Isle of Mull for your family holiday next summer

[mrsmaturin]

Just back from our fortnight there and it's such a brilliant family holiday place that I feel the need to enthuse......

Lovely beaches, clean sea

Wildlife watching that even young children can join in with - and some fantastic sights. A White tailed Eagle landed about 50 ft from our car as we were driving to the ferry this morning...

The ferry - fab fun and v child friendly way to travel

Iona and Ulva - really lovely opportunities for a day trip that involves a ferry ride

Swimming pool - for wet days

Lots of options for family bike rides and walks

AND we've come home with tans too

There are so many self catering lets on Mull. We've always stayed in the North of the island, near Tobermory. This means that Iona and the beaches of the south are a longer drive but Tobermory (Balamory) itself is easily accessible with the co-op, chip van, pharmacy and book shop. If I was coming for the first time I might think about looking for somewhere near Salen as it's in the middle of the island and nowhere is too far away. There are some lovely lets at Calgary though - if you wanted lots of beach time - but it would be a drive for even a loaf of bread.

Cottages at Calgary here

This is a cottage right in Tobermory which we've stayed in before - lovely views and a very handy location if you're there with little ones.

Thank you for those, they look amazing. I think we have decided on Mull for summer 2015

YABU. I was there in the summer for the day because we were staying in Oban. It's as dull as ditchwater, apart from Tobermory which is one boring street, the ferry takes hours and so does the bus. Would never go back.

There is always one

Lol. Honestly, it was so boring. I've been to Arran, Skye, Iona and The Shetland Islands and I can honestly say I loved them all (especially Arran, I've been there about 9 or 10 times) but Mull was just Dull.

The ferry from Oban to Craignure takes 50 minutes at the most.
The bus from Craignure to Tobermory takes about an hour.

Tobermory has several streets, not just one, and quite a few things to do ranging from quirky arts centre with brilliant food and concerts to whale-watching and all kinds of other boat trips. Also fun Highland Games (usually in July). Nice seafood restaurant, too, excellent bakery/cafe, really good bookshop, and wonderful jewellers plus hand-made chocolate shop/cafe. Interesting little museum ...
Mull also has theatre, swimming pool, very good food, sculpure walk, stunning beaches, wildlife trips. Iona very important for those who like heritage.
No, I don't live there but I do know it quite well.

Our bus from Craignure to Tobermory took 1 hour 20 minutes. It was awful. Truly, I would never go back. Dullest day out ever. And very expensive into the bargain.

....and there are a lot of skanky grey-harling walled houses to gaze at out of the window on your endless bus journey, that and hills, lots and lots of hills...

Maybe you need to give it more than one day and have a proper look around the island?

Nah, one day was more than enough thanks.

Maybe Benidorm would be more to your tastes Silly

Why would Benidorn be more to my taste Isabella? Never been there so wouldn't know. Just cause I didn't like Mull you're not so subtly implying I might like something a bit more "low rent" eh? Tut tut, snobby or what? I've already said I've visited several islands and loved them. Mull just didn't do it for me. Get over yourself sweetheart.

Ok...........but the bus goes through Salen Bay - did you not like that? Or the views over the Sound of Mull? And most of the houses are white harling....

silly Each to their own, of course. I wasn't implying anything about your taste. I was only trying to say that Tobermory does have quite a lot going on, but very possibly just a quick day visit does not give anyone time to find out. That's a pity! The nicest beaches are on the opposite side of the island from Tobermory, and maybe that is another reason why some people find the place disappointing. And, as you rightly say, each island has its own distinct character. Once can like them or dislike them.

Re the bus journey, it depends on the time of day. Sometimes, the bus is rather quicker; 1 hr 20 mins is the longest journey, so far as I know. It takes time because the road is single-track for most of the way. Yes, there are hills, but some people think they look pretty; the bus also passes a romantic ruined castle and gives passengers a fantastic view of the sea - you can see seals basking on the rocks, and cormorants/shags, and wild geese, and, if you are lucky, you can see sea-eagles, too. There are often yachts, cargo ships, and big ferries, as well. Though of course not everyone will find these things interesting - that's entirely your choice, obviously!

I am sure you know this, so please forgive me, but the harling was traditionally necessary to stop the rain from seeping through stone walls. It performs the same function today - most modern houses in the north-west of Scotland and the islands are timber framed with concrete block outer cladding. (There is no brick easily available, and to build with stone would be for millionaires only.) Re skanky grey, I don't know about Mull, but in some Highland areas there are planning rules about houses in the countryside not being painted glaring white or other fancy colours. In other places, eg on Skye, bright white -aka Skye white - is the norm. And some modern harling mixtures have waterproofing agents added that means paint will not stick to them. So it's got to be grey!

I used to be taken to the Scottish highlands and islands every year as a child.It might be tolerable in lovely summery weather, or even dry weather but in the normal rain and mist (which Scotland does so well) it is dull in all senses of the world
I suspect the OP has bought a holiday cottage and is trying to drum up business.
If you want a ferry and beautiful scenery holiday , go to Europe where you are more likely to see some sun.

icy As I said above, each to their own. Personally I hate hot sunshine. I would never willing go to (eg) the Mediterranean at any time after April or before September. NOT my idea of a nice holiday. We are all different...

Icy - I should be so lucky! No I don't own a property there but I wish I did. Care to apologise for your rudeness in accusing me of deception?

Depends what you like though, doesn't it icymaiden?

Personally, I prefer typical Scottish weather to hot sunny holidays. I don't cope well with heat.

And if you've planned ahead and have rainy day plans (or good waterproofs) in the wings, a bit of rain won't ruin your holiday.

I'm sure it's lovely on a nice day but my summer holidays are way too precious to risk 2 weeks in the rain. Much as I love Scotland (I live here!) I'll never holiday here, I'm afraid.

Got engaged there - love it. Happy happy memories

Cold and wet. Sorry but in the summer we head south. A holiday is not a summer holiday for me if caguoles or fleeces are involved. Mull is lovely but grey and drizzly when I went in a July years ago. Also crave a different culture - Italy Spain France yes! Scotland not so much...

This place is fantastic..... www.shielingholidays.co.uk/

Oh, if you liked Mull, you'd love Islay, Jura and Colinsay!