walking mull farm cottages sea eagles, scotland birdwatching, isle mull, holiday accommodation, stalking, self catering, farm cottages, whales dolphins, seals otters wildlife, balamory, pony trecking, field sports, sailing walking fishing, walking mull farm cottages A rare bird of scree slopes is the Ring Ouzel, which is a sort of mountain blackbird. There is a similarly named bird in the Water Ouzel, which is a rather old name for the Dipper. This bird is quite unique in the way that it feeds, for it is built in such a way that it can walk on the bottom of a river and catch small insects as they are washed downstream. Check out The River Aros, Bellart and Ba, which are prime habitats for the Dipper. The highest of Mull's hills, and the only "Munro" (a peak that is over 3000 feet/915 m), Ben More is a prominent feature of many views on the island. The name is Gaelic for "big hill". It can be climbed relatively easily, from the north at Dhiseig on the southern shore of Loch na Keal, or from the south, starting near the eastern end of Loch Scridain. Unlike many mountains, the climb begins at sea level, so by the time you reach the summit you have climbed every foot or metre of its height! The effort is rewarded on a clear day by the most wonderful views across the island, in the east to Ben Nevis on the mainland, and many of the other Hebridean islands to south, west and north. Although a hill walk, rather than a challenging climb, the weather can be changeable, and a compass will be unreliable due to the magnetic rock that forms much of the summit. Wear strong footwear and take warm and waterproof clothing. About 5 or 6 hours should be enough for the climb and descent without having to rush.
This small group of islands lies about 3 miles (5 km) from the nearest point on Mull and is much less well known than neighbouring Staffa. The main islands in the group are Lunga, Fladda, Bac Mór, which is also known as the Dutchman's Cap, Cairn na Burgh More and Cairn na Burgh Beg. There are also numerous small islands in the group. The Treshnish Isles are now uninhabited and form a sanctuary for birds and grey seals. In the spring, Lunga is home to thousands of nesting sea birds, mainly shag, guillemot, kittiwake, razorbill and, of course, puffin.
The best place to watch them is on Lunga, where a natural chasm separates the Harp Rock (Dun Cruit) from the main island. The sight and sound of the nesting colonies on the sheer side of the rock opposite provide an unforgettable experience, and the clear direct view could not be bettered anywhere. Late autumn is the breeding season for the Atlantic grey seals. They will often be seen around the smaller islands in the group. The two Cairn na Burg islands have often been fortified and have ruins dating back to the Vikings and beyond. Boat trips are available to the Treshnish Isles from both Mull and Iona. |