Fyne Cruises - Highlands & Islands

Meanwhile, we continue our Hebrides Classic cruise...

From the spectacular, breathtaking landscape of Glencoe, Fyne Spirit will continue her journey to the Isle of Mull. The Isle of Mull is the second largest of the Hebrides, lying just off the west coast of Scotland more or less halfway up. It is an island of peninsulas, which give it a long and varied coastline offering the visitor endless days of exploration and discovery. The economy is a healthy mix of farming, fishing, and tourism giving the visitor a view of genuine island life while providing lots of interesting recreations. The mountains, which stretch across the middle of the island, rise to over 900m and are well loved by hill walkers such is the variety of routes and views to be enjoyed. The Isle of Mull is one of the most beautiful and varied islands on the west coast of Scotland. Part of the Kingdom of the Lords of the Isles, it later became a stronghold of the Clan Maclean.

Weather permitting, Fyne Spirit will drop anchor for the night in front of Duart Castle.

The castle is full of history and stories of the Maclean family who have lived at Duart for so many centuries. For those prepared to climb the ancient, worn steps the turnpike stair takes you to the top of the 13th century keep and a walkway round the battlements, with views as far as Ben Nevis in the north and Jura in the south. You can walk in the grounds and discover about the Cromwellian wreck and below the castle the old byre has been converted into a large attractive tea-room where guests can enjoy the delicious home baking. To-day Duart is the home of the 28th Chief, Sir Lachlan Maclean and his family.

Over lunch Fyne Spirit will relocate to Tobermory, while enjoying the scenic coastline. Tobermory was built as a fishing port in the late 18th century and is now the main village on Mull. It is a picture-postcard of a place with the brightly painted buildings along the pier and the high wooded hills surrounding the bay. The village has a good variety of shops, hotels, and other accommodation as well as being the administrative centre for the island. The harbour is always busy with fishing boats, yachts and the ferry to and from Kilchoan during the summer months.

There is reputed to be the wreck of a Spanish galleon somewhere in the mud at the bottom of the bay. The ship was part of the defeated Armada of 1588 and was fleeing the English fleet when she anchored in Tobermory to take on provisions. Following a dispute over payment the ship caught fire which caused the gunpowder to explode. She was supposed to have been carrying millions of gold coins when she went to the bottom but no one has ever managed to find any sign of the ship or the treasure.

What to see & do on the Isle of Mull:

Mull Railway and Torosay Castle & Gardens: The railway is 1¼ miles (2 km) long and operates steam and diesel hauled trains from Craignure (Old Pier) to Torosay, where you can visit Scottish Baronial Torosay Castle and 12 acres (4.8 hectares) of gardens and woodland walks. There is also a footpath from Torosay to Duart Castle (about 3 miles (4.8 km)), ancestral home of the Clan MacLean. The train journey is one of great beauty and the 260 mm gauge trains potter slowly alongside the Sound of Mull with extensive views of Ben Nevis, the Glencoe hills, the island of Lismore and the mass of Ben Cruachan, and the journey is completed at Torosay station. The wild flowers along the way can be spectacular, particularly the primroses, wild garlic and bluebells.

Mull Pottery: Mull Pottery makes high-fired, hand thrown ceramics in the picturesque village of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull with designs inspired by the West Coast of Scotland.

Diving: Seamore Diving offers internationally recognised scuba diving courses (PADI & BSAC), discover scuba, guided dives and local information on diving and marine life. For those who have always wanted to try diving all equipment is provided with professional tuition in a safe environment.

Golf: Tobermory Golf Course is a 9-hole course set on the cliff tops above Tobermory Bay. It offers superb panoramic views which includes Ardnamurchan, Loch Sunart and, on a clear day, the Isle of Skye. Due to the hilly nature of the course, it provides a tough challenge to all golfers.

Cycling: Isle of Mull is regarded as being the best island in Scotland for cycling. The landscape is fantastic and the narrow road is ideal for cycling.The road between Salen and Calgary Bay is one of the most beautiful roads in Scotland. The wildlife is magnificent along the whole route. You might see some otters just outside Ulva. There are not many shops along this route. Solid planning is essential to survive this trip. Good weather is also essential.

Walking: The Carsaig Arches (moderate coastal walk), of all the coastal walks on Mull this has to be the most magnificent. The Carsaig Arches are not only breathtaking in themselves, but the walk to them, from either direction, passes under some of the highest and most spectacular cliffs in Britain. This is goat country, eagle country and, in spring, nesting country for kittiwakes and fulmars. On the walk in, an interesting side excursion may be made to the Nuns' cave, where the nuns are reputed to have taken refuge after being driven from Iona. Ben More (moderate hill walk) 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.

Fishing: Mishnish Lochs Those Lochs hold Brown Trout only, up to 4lbs, and are stocked every two years with 5 inch fish. The fish grow fast owing to the abundant food supply and are good fighters. The fish are very good to eat, being pink fleshed and very tasty. Aros Lake The lake is in the Forestry Park of Aros and provides good fishing for Rainbow Trout only. Fishing is from the bank only.

Whisky distillery: Tobermory distillery. This famous, very small old distillery, the only one on the island of Mull reopened in 1990 after a decade's 'silence'. It has continued to market two products - a malt and a blend. The former, identified as Tobermory the Malt Scotch Whisky is presented in a bottle with an enamelled label. It is a vatted malt containing some Tobermory whiskies of up to 20-years old and proportions of newly mature spirit from elsewhere. The latter has a conventional label and is described as Tobermory blended Scotch Whisky. Single malts from this distillery have been bottled by the independents under the site's older name, Ledaig. Tobermory is the main village on Mull and the home of the distillery. It is a dramatic location at the foot of a steep hill with the distillery signalling the beginning of the village, which spreads round a broad bay. The distillery was founded in 1798 and the present buildings were erected during its first period of operation which continued until 1826. The distillery was 'silent' for long periods in the mid 1800s and mid 1900s and was twice revived during the 1970s. Now it has been revived again.