A month ago, I was on the CalMac ferry, passing the Lismore lighthouse, heading over to the Isle of Mull - my first visit to this most stunning, beautiful, wild of Scottish islands. I was playing a show as part of my Autumn Tour at An Tobar & Mull Theatre - the most warm and friendly of venues - but had made sure to include a day off whilst being there. A number of you have asked to see some photos and highlights from the trip, so here you go:
The island looms into view; a dark, mystical yet inviting chunk of land emerging from the Sound of Mull’s deep turquoise on the crossing from Oban. The Argyll & Bute coastline is a fascinating combination of islands and peninsulas, lochs and inlets, steep rocky cliffs and wide-open golden beaches.
In October, the weather is always changeable, and we dock at the Craignure ferryport as an autumnal squall passes through, signalling the dreich conditions that are to come in the next few days. The incredible land/sea-scapes are such that they look equally beautiful and beguiling in bright sunshine or torrential rain.
By the time we reach the island’s main town, Tobermory, the sun has broken through, in perfect time for the classic photo across the bay of the multicoloured houses glinting across the water.
I took a drive out to the west of the island, to visit the smaller island of Ulva. To get over to it, you have to summon the ferry across the narrow strait by sliding the board across to reveal a red square. Ulva’s history is fascinating and it’s well worth a visit, not least for the lovely cafe which is open during the summer months.
On the winding drive back to Tobermory via the north road, I stopped off at Calgary Bay to watch the sun slip lower towards the horizon, meeting some unruly cows along the way.
Mull is such a stunning place. I’d love to go back and spend a little longer there, but one of the best lessons I’ve learned over the years is to try and schedule a day off here and there on tours, and this was certainly a refreshing, life-giving 48 hours in the most remote part of the UK I have played in to date. I highly recommend it if you get a chance to visit.