A-Z Challenge : M is for Mull - A Scottish Island

Join me on his journey  into  A SENSE OF PLACE where I will be:

• Featuring places connected with my own family history
• Highlighting places with happy memories
• Shining the spotlight on place names that appeal
• Linking my interests in history, travel and photography.
 

Back to the Western Isles  of Scotland for this stage of our journey.

MULL   is the second largest island in  the inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland and a wonderful place for an "away from it all" holiday.   The Mull Anthem says it all:

'The Isle of Mull is of isles the fairest,
Of ocean's gems 'tis the first and rarest;
Green grassy island of sparkling fountains,
Of waving woods and high tow'ring mountains."

 

The "Cal Mac" ferry sailing between Oban on the mainland and Mull

One of the first sights on approaching Mull  by the the Ferry  - 13th century Duart Castle, ancestral home of the Clan McLean guarding  the entrance to the Sound of Mull. 

Some friendly greetings from local inhabitants !



 

We stayed at Fionnphort, the most westerly point on the island - a tiny village with some 70 residents. and gateway to the islands of Iona and Staffa.  THere is the  beach at Fionnphort on the west coast of Mull, looking across to Iona  - and yes, it really was this gorgeous a day!.

Froom Fionnphort, one day, we took the small boat trip out to Staffa. Besides going in the cave, we also climbed the rather precarious steps up to the top of the  island and saw Minke whales swimming.  

 

 

 

Legend has it that Fingal's Cave is the Scottish end of the Giant's Causeway, built by an Ulster giant in order to fight the Gaelic giant Fingal. It  reminded me so much of  Mendelssohn's 'Hebrides' overture ('Fingal's Cave') written after the composer's visit to Staffa and published in 1832.  Queen Victoria, the poet Tennyson and the painter Turner. all made their way there too.   

Did You Know? 

 

• Calgary in Canada takes its name from Calgary on Mull.
• Tobermory (the principal village) was the setting for the children's TV series "Balamory".  It  was built as a fishing port in the late 18th century and is   noted for its brightly painted buildings along the main street to the pier.

Two shop signs at Tobermory. 

 

 

 

 

 





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