Mull in April (Covid Allowing)

[theotherfossilsister]

What are people's thoughts on Mull please? We live in a big Scottish City so really should explore the islands if we're allowed.

We go to Mull regularly to visit family. The Mull music festival usually takes place in April and the local pubs have live music events.

@MrsMoastyToasty sounds lovely, a cosy pub and good music and conviviality and cheer.

Is it good for lovely long walks?

MULL IS AMAZING.
Sorry had to shout!!
We go every October.. Def an amazing place. Even my teens loved it!!

@Santaisironingwrappingpaper Thank you! What can we do there? Are there lovely long walks? Will I regret it bitterly if I try to go in the sea in April (like to think I'm pretty hardy but probably am nesh as anyone.)

We were thinking of going to Tobermorey to stay, and maybe going to the Munro for a daytrip, and possibly taking a ferry to one of the other islands for a day as well.

We went two summers ago (live in central belt). We really enjoyed it.

Only downside was I think we expected 'local island' feel to the holiday, but there was actually quite a bit of driving given that we wanted to visit various different bits. We stayed near Craignure - I remember it being a good hour's drive on the passing-places road to the Iona ferry etc.

Walks, beaches, wildlife were all ace though.

@LtGreggs we're central belt too, and it's lovely to holiday plan while things feel so bleak here.

We would actually be relying on public transport, which from a Google search seems doable? I think it's possible to get to the munro and the ferry by bus, might look into this more though.

Wildlife and walks sound idyllic, as does the beach.

Look on Isleofmullcottages.. My dd went swimming in October.. Best tip is take all your own food supplies if possible.. Expensive and barely any shops!
Also Google walks on Mull. Loads to do. Def recommend the horse riding there too!!

@Santaisironingwrappingpaper thank you, we will do. I love the idea of long rugged walks away from traffic.

Will I regret it bitterly if I try to go in the sea in April

Depends how hardy you are, but most probably you would. I don't go swimming in Mull until at least July. I'll happily go swimming in Mull in September, though, and October is bearable.

Tobermory only has a single street of shops. There is a Co-op store, several pubs and cafes and a few tourist shops/ art gallery type places.

The railway station at Oban is right next to the ferry terminal. The ferry has been known to wait if the train is late.(There is a shorter sea crossing which is only available in summer but it involves travelling further up the mainland to Lochaline and as we always go by car don't know what public transport is available on that route. ).
We're not mountaineer types so I don't know about Ben More. Calgary bay is beautiful and so is Iona.
We have stayed in the Mull and Iona Spa hotel which is lovely and has a pool, hottub and beauty treatments available. Its literally 5 minutes from the ferry terminal at Craignure.

To tempt you further op..
Calgary beach October..

I don't know about public transport on the island, but I suspect there might be a tourist / walkers minibus service thingy in summer months. I'd say its also the kind of place where you'd be able to hitch if walking. (If covid hasn't stopped rural hitch-hiking?!)

We stayed in Dervaig and the buses were very regularly passing our cottage..

Ah that all looks and sounds amazing, desperate to go now.

Its a totally different pace of life. Some things are seasonal and are only just opening up in April. Shops double up - The hardware store is also an off licence (where else can you get an axe and a bottle of single malt whiskey? ), there are no bowling alleys or cinemas (the cinema arrives on the back of a lorry) and if you need major emergency medical help you would have to be airlifted back to the mainland.

There is no public transport to Ben More but lots of taxis on the island. Distances are long but Tobermory/Iona/Calgary beach are all doable by bus. Harder to get off the beaten track without a car though.

It's a beautiful, diverse island. I have been many times. The food is amazing, award winning restaurants, masses of walking, whale watching (not April), culture, all sorts really.

Have a look at www.visitmullandiona.co.uk for ideas, I can't wait to go back.

Check the bus timetables as they have changed quite a bit due to covid restrictions on the ferry. If you don't drive you will need to bring lots of waterproof warm clothes and plan to be outside a lot, unless you stay close to your accommodation.

We stayed at Bunnessan, a few miles from Craignure. Lovely place with otters in the garden and a lovely friendly pub. However we found it a bit far to the nearest decent grocery shop (the co op in Tobermory.....50.2 miles each way!!), so make sure you stock up on provisions to take with you.
The shop at Bunnessan is quite basic and sparse. The shop keeper refused to sell me more than one small bottle of milk a day as he needed it for the locals, fair enough, but he was also the rudest man I have ever met and made our teenager boys wait outside.
This is 2 years ago, not during Covid!!