Wild camping on Mull

[Fisherman]

In January I read an article on MMM clearly stating you cannot wild camp on the island of Mull.
I wrote to complain about the fact this was inaccurate, my letter was published in this months MMM.
This morning I just watched a video on YouTube by an English couple claiming that they have a certificate proving that they have booked campsites for their stay, and without this you won’t be allowed on the ferry, this is utter bollox. The only island were this is mandatory is Tiree.
For anyone who has not been to Mull it’s a wonderful island, but sadly there are some idiots “now” living there. The roads particularly from Salen to Tobermory are challenging. But with common sense and knowledge of how to drive on single track roads there's no problem.
I just went through the whole booking process on the CalMac website with no mention of this.

However there are plenty of campsites on the island for those who prefer to stay on them. Most of these will allow access to their chemical waste for a fee, and how contradictory is that. Obviously respect the island, respect the locals, and enjoy Mull which has much to offer. My favourite campsite is Fidden Farm close to were you get the ferry to Iona in Fionpfort
Iona is well worth a visit. And when in Fionpfort consider a visit to Staffa and Fingles cave you won’t regret one of the wonders of the world. Another great walk is from the island of Ulva to Gomatra. You can park your van where you get the Ulva ferry head back and stay the night if you wish.

Bottom line, you can stay on Mull wild camping, there are many locations miles away from anyone were you will hardly be noticed. But don’t give the nimbys ammunition. These folk live in a country were you can pitch a tent on most land and spend the night their legally. Why they see us with all of our facilities as a nuisance eludes me. I would be more worried about people without such facilities. Enjoy Mull, ignore the NIMBYS.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

It is a lovely place, the first time we went it was horrible though, really wet and miserable with fog/mist so all I saw was the road, Liz convinced (for a quiet life) me to go again, but I thought it was a waste of the ferry fee, but we look forward to going back when over that way now, just need to look at the weather.

 

[caledonia]

No need to book ferries. Just go the scenic route and avoid Oban. The Lochaline ferry you just turn up and join the queue pay the man and your on the island to do as you please.
Don’t watch that click bait shite on YouTube.

 

[barryd]

Only been once on an impromptu road trip in my Honda Prelude in Noughties (pre motorhome). We went hotel hopping. Everywhere was run by English white settlers some of which would give Basil Fawlty a run for his money and some of them were a bit of a rip off. I wasnt surprised to learn they were a bit anti motorhome and there were very few wild spots left which is why we have never been back in the van. Best thing was the drive from Oban to Claonaig and the ferry to Arran. Awesome drive in the Honda. I think I did it in an hour.

 

[Fisherman]

No need to book ferries. Just go the scenic route and avoid Oban. The Lochaline ferry you just turn up and join the queue pay the man and your on the island to do as you please.
Don’t watch that click bait shite on YouTube.

Good to see yo back Cal. Hope things are sorted.
Yes we took the Lochaline ferry coming of the island.
Nice short crossing over the Sound of Mull.
Well worth considering if you want to venture further north up the west to Mallaig.

 

[Scotia]

If that was the case I wonder how they accommodate people when the Mull rally is on? Another thumbs up for the Lochaline ferry which is just front up and join the queue.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Only been once on an impromptu road trip in my Honda Prelude in Noughties (pre motorhome). We went hotel hopping. Everywhere was run by English white settlers some of which would give Basil Fawlty a run for his money and some of them were a bit of a rip off. I wasnt surprised to learn they were a bit anti motorhome and there were very few wild spots left which is why we have never been back in the van. Best thing was the drive from Oban to Claonaig and the ferry to Arran. Awesome drive in the Honda. I think I did it in an hour.

I always fancied a Prelude or a Leg end back then, not cheap though, I wonder if there are any about still, best I had then was the original Accords and the original Civics both good cars, We bought an 04 Accord, still the best care bought, same model as in the Cog advert, never s minutes trouble with any of the Hondas until 3 years we bought one which I couldn't get rid of fast enough.

 

[barryd]

I always fancied a Prelude or a Leg end back then, not cheap though, I wonder if there are any about still, best I had then was the original Accords and the original Civics both good cars, We bought an 04 Accord, still the best care bought, same model as in the Cog advert, never s minutes trouble with any of the Hondas until 3 years we bought one which I couldn't get rid of fast enough.

I had the best one. The Mk4 Vtec 2.2. Proper rocket ship of its time and it handled incredibly well. Not only that, it was reliable. I did mega miles in mine and was doing about 40000 a year at that time. I stupidly sold it and bought a Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo in the end which was even faster but an absolute nightmare reliability wise. Michelle blew it up in the end.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I prefer the earlier one.

And the leg end.

Julie & I really loved this car though, the previous car was a Lada which used for our Honeymoon in Wales, and never gave us any trouble but big arm muscles, it got nicked. I kid you not.

This car never had any problems at all but she got it in the divorce, my decision.

 

[barryd]

I prefer the earlier one.

And the leg end.

Julie & I really loved this car though, the previous car was a Lada which used for our Honeymoon in Wales, and never gave us any trouble but big arm muscles, it got nicked. I kid you not.

This car never had any problems at all but she got it in the divorce, my decision.

Nah! The previous Prelude looks prehistoric. The 4th Gen still looks cool today. Sadly they dont make cars like those anymore. The Coupe is pretty much dead and has been replaced by boring beige motors or SUV's the size of a Kontiki.

We appear to have derailed the Mull thread. Sorry.

 

[maingate]

When will someone come up with an idea for electric SUV models? They look absolutely horrible with a plain front (no radiator grille). They look like something designed by a 6 year old (or Barry).

 

[Pudsey Bear]

oops sorry back to ape hangers

 

[Wully]

Left a Mk 2 Ford escort van on mull back in the 80s on a camping trip it broke down I managed to limp it in too Tobermory then abandoned it got a ferry to Hobhan then a train to Glasgow with some of my camping gear. I went back for it a few months later and a local had claimed it he stuck another engine in it painted it blue from white I let him keep it for a small fee and some digs he’s still a mate to this day.

 

[bartman]

oops sorry back to ape hangers

That's Hartlepool! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_hanger

 

[winks]

Agree about Fidden Farm.

We pitched up in front of the bungalow on the way in and overlooking the sound. Did a trip for several hours from Ulva Ferry with Turus Mara which included Staffa and the Treshnish islands for "Puffin therapy". This time of year for the next two or three months is ideal for a birding day. A nice walk to Ffionport and the ferry over to Iona filled up another day nicely.

Cheers

H

 

[barryd]

Left a Mk 2 Ford escort van on mull back in the 80s on a camping trip it broke down I managed to limp it in too Tobermory then abandoned it got a ferry to Hobhan then a train to Glasgow with some of my camping gear. I went back for it a few months later and a local had claimed it he stuck another engine in it painted it blue from white I let him keep it for a small fee and some digs he’s still a mate to this day.

Great Story. I liked the days when sh*t like this happened. I sold Mrs D's Mazda 323 sports in the pub about twenty years ago after she bumped it into a brand new Audi TT (Hair Dressers car) on Barney High street for two pints and a packet of crisps I sh*t you not!

 

[winks]

Great Story. I liked the days when sh*t like this happened. I sold Mrs D's Mazda 323 sports in the pub about twenty years ago after she bumped it into a brand new Audi TT (Hair Dressers car) on Barney High street for two pints and a packet of crisps I sh*t you not!

Was she just testing her eyes out?

Cheers

H

 

[Straad]

In January I read an article on MMM clearly stating you cannot wild camp on the island of Mull.
I wrote to complain about the fact this was inaccurate, my letter was published in this months MMM.
This morning I just watched a video on YouTube by an English couple claiming that they have a certificate proving that they have booked campsites for their stay, and without this you won’t be allowed on the ferry, this is utter bollox. The only island were this is mandatory is Tiree.
For anyone who has not been to Mull it’s a wonderful island, but sadly there are some idiots “now” living there. The roads particularly from Salen to Tobermory are challenging. But with common sense and knowledge of how to drive on single track roads there's no problem.
I just went through the whole booking process on the CalMac website with no mention of this.

However there are plenty of campsites on the island for those who prefer to stay on them. Most of these will allow access to their chemical waste for a fee, and how contradictory is that. Obviously respect the island, respect the locals, and enjoy Mull which has much to offer. My favourite campsite is Fidden Farm close to were you get the ferry to Iona in Fionpfort
Iona is well worth a visit. And when in Fionpfort consider a visit to Staffa and Fingles cave you won’t regret one of the wonders of the world. Another great walk is from the island of Ulva to Gomatra. You can park your van where you get the Ulva ferry head back and stay the night if you wish.

Bottom line, you can stay on Mull wild camping, there are many locations miles away from anyone were you will hardly be noticed. But don’t give the nimbys ammunition. These folk live in a country were you can pitch a tent on most land and spend the night their legally. Why they see us with all of our facilities as a nuisance eludes me. I would be more worried about people without such facilities. Enjoy Mull, ignore the NIMBYS.

We are just back from a few nights on Mull (and Iona). I can confirm what Fisherman is saying. You catagoricallydo NOT need any kind of proof of having booked a campsite to get on the ferry from Oban. The ferry is busy though and you will need to have booked a place.
We stayed at two stops, Lochbuie and Ardalanish. Both were spectacularly beautiful. We watched Golden Eagles and walked on beautiful beaches. If you are at all interested in geology, Ardalanish is fascinating and the wee cafe at Lochbuie has lovely. You can’t take the van over to Iona but it is also very much worth a visit. Be aware that most of the roads are single track so be respectful to other road users and if you holding someone up, pull into a passing place and let them by. Forget the NC500 and Skye. There is so much more to on the west coast of Scotland and the natives are exceedingly friendly!

 

[Pudsey Bear]

We are just back from a few nights on Mull (and Iona). I can confirm what Fisherman is saying. You catagoricallydo NOT need any kind of proof of having booked a campsite to get on the ferry from Oban. The ferry is busy though and you will need to have booked a place.
We stayed at two stops, Lochbuie and Ardalanish. Both were spectacularly beautiful. We watched Golden Eagles and walked on beautiful beaches. If you are at all interested in geology, Ardalanish is fascinating and the wee cafe at Lochbuie has lovely. You can’t take the van over to Iona but it is also very much worth a visit. Be aware that most of the roads are single track so be respectful to other road users and if you holding someone up, pull into a passing place and let them by. Forget the NC500 and Skye. There is so much more to on the west coast of Scotland and the natives are exceedingly friendly!

What going on in the middle of the picture?

Zoom in.

 

[Straad]

What going on in the middle of the picture?

Zoom in.

Good spot! That’s a fat old man, leaning back on a rock, sunbathing!