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The Island of
Mull, has much to offer.
The Isle of Mull, is the largest Hebridean island and the
easiest to reach from the mainland. It is probably best known
internationally for the Island of Iona, which is reach via a
short 15 minute ferry journey from Mull. In the photograph above
you can see Iona abbey and some of the traditionally built
houses which are near by.
 The
Island of Iona. St Columba landed here in 563AD An abbey was
founded and cells and buildings constructed. Iona gained the
reputation of the ‘Cradle of the Celtic Kingdom’ with pilgrims
travelling from afar to seek the teachings of Columba and his
disciples. During the years that passed the bodies of Kings of
Scotland, Norway and France, clan chiefs, abbots were all
conveyed here for burial.
 The
Nunnery on Iona was founded about 1200AD by the son of
Somerled, the Lord of the Isles, some 500 years after the
original Christian monastery was founded by St Columba.
It was the only medieval convent in Western
Scotland.
Today it is one of the best preserved
examples in the British Isles of the smaller type of Medieval
nunnery.
 Major
General Lachlan Macquarrie. Born in 1761 of Ulva farming
stock, he rose through the army ranks to become Major General
then Governor General of New South Wales, Australia from 1809 to
1820.
It is said his energy and initiative opened up
the eastern Australian seaboard.
He is often referred to as the ‘Father of
Australia’.
His mausoleum lies west of Salen on Mull.
Signposted, it can be found north of the road junction on the
West Coast route.
The
Clearances and deserted villages. Between 1846 and 1861
about 60,000 people left the Islands and Western Highlands of
Scotland as emigrants to the United States, Canada and
Australia. Many were forcibly evicted, others
left voluntarily with an active desire to seek a better life. It
is important not to regard every deserted village as a clearance
village, but many were.
There was no law to protect the Highlander who
believed that claims of clan and heredity gave him an
inalienable right to live on the land of his ancestors.
The 1886 Crofting Act attempted to give the
Crofter some rights in law. This deserted village is beside the
road, 1.3 miles south of Dervaig on the Devaig to Salen road.
The ruins of the village overlook the bog lands of Druimnacroish.
Isle of Mull.
 Peat
Cutting. In the old days peat was universally used as fuel.
The cutting of the peats usually began in April as a family or
even a communal event, with the spirit of co-operation between
house holders.
The grassy surface along the top of the peat
bank was skimmed off and laid on the uncovered area below. The
peats were cut along the bank in oblong cubes usually by two
men, one cutting the other lifting the peats to the bank.
Newly cut peats are very soft and have to be
carefully laid to dry. This work was done by the women and
children.
After about two weeks in good weather they
were dry enough to be stacked in pyramids. In good weather the
whole process took about a month. In wet years the peats never
dried properly causing great discomfort to the people.
It has been calculated that 15,000 peats were
required for an average family. A good man could cut 1,000 a
day. This photograph was taken in May 2001 two and a half miles
south of Dervaig, on the Dervaig to Salen Road, Isle of Mull.
 Aros
Park. Acquired by the Forestry Commission from the Allan
family in 1952, the park formed the estate woodland surrounding
Aros house, now demolished.
The park is full of interesting artifacts
giving clues to its rich and varied history, fine waterfalls and
a network of paths. Renowned for its superb views of Tobermory
Bay.
It is accessible south of Tobermory by car or
along the spectacular shore path starting in the large car park
past the distillery.
 The
only bad Chief of the Duart Macleans and his wife.
Tradition has it that the Chief and his wife
dabbled in witchcraft and because of this were denied internment
in the holy ground of the Pennygown Chapel, being buried as near
to it as possible.
The grave slabs allegedly depict the chief and
his wife. Pennygown chapel can be found close to the road south
of Salen on Mull.
 Beaton
Cairn & Cross was raised many years ago to commemorate the
Beatons, the famous ‘Ollamnh Muileach’ or Mull doctors who were
skilled in the use of herbal cures. They were physicians to the
Lords of the Isles and later to the Macleans of Duart. The cross
bears the markings GMB 1582 DMB, the initials of two of the most
famous Beatons. Situated by the second passing place west of the
Free Church at Pennyghael, Mull, approx 20m towards sea shore.
 Calgary
Wood is a newly created walk through beech woodland, past a
restored mill pond and derelict sawmill
to views of Calgary Sands and the Ocean beyond. Enjoy an
abundance of wild flowers, woodland plants, bird and wildlife,
along with tastefully displayed sculpture complimenting the
walk. Open dawn to dusk all year. A leaflet to guide you around
the Wood is available from Calgary Hotel, by Dervaig, Isle of
Mull. 01688 400256.
Craignure, Isle of Mull / Tobermory, Isle of Mull / The rest of Mull | 
