Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
gold. During World War II, Tobermory was an important naval base, in particular
as a centre for the training of Escort vessels, whose job it was to protect convoy
ships from being attacked by U-boats. Leading the training was one Vice Admiral
Gilbert Stephenson, whose prolific and strict regime (he trained up over nine
hundred ships in just four years) earned him the moniker, “he Terror of
Tobermory”. Such was the Admiral's notoriety that he even had a beer named
after him.
6
Tobermory Distillery
Ledaig car park • Easter-Oct Mon-Fri 10am-5pm; tours hourly 11am-4pm • £6 •
T
01688 302645,
W
tobermorymalt.com
Founded in 1798, the minuscule
Tobermory Distillery
has had a chequered history,
closing down three times since then, though today it's back in business and thriving
thanks to its signature 15-year old Tobermory and 10-year old Ledaig malts.
Although its tour is rather drab compared to most distilleries, you do get to see the
four magnificent copper stills, as well as try a dram or two at the end.
Glengorm Castle
Five miles northwest of Tobermory • Easter to mid-Oct daily 10am-5pm • £6 •
T
01688 302932,
W
glengormcastle.co.uk
Lying along a dead-end single-track road,
Glengorm Castle
is a Scots Baronial pile
overlooking the sea. Here too is an attractively converted steading, housing a delightful
café, well-stocked farm shop, craft shop and art gallery. You can walk around their
attractive walled garden or make for the longer forest, archeological and coastal trails;
they also offer free guided walks, though you need to book in advance. here's luxury
accommodation available here too (see p.242).
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
TOBERMORY
By ferry
The CalMac terminal is at the far end of Main
Street, in the northernmost part of the bay.
Destinations
Kilchoan (May-Aug daily; Sept-April Mon-
Sat every 90min; 35min);
By bus
The bus station is in the town's main Ledaig car
park, by the distillery.
Destinations
Calgary (Mon-Sat 2-3 daily; 45min);
Craignure (4-6 daily; 45min); Dervaig (Mon-Sat 2-3
daily; 25min); Fishnish (2-4 daily; 40min).
INFORMATION AND ACTIVITIES
Tourist office
The Pier, in the same building as the
CalMac
ticket office at the far end of Main Street. (Mon-
Fri 9am-5pm). It's not manned, but there's plenty of
literature to take away and the CalMac staff can help
with any queries.
Tourist information
Privately run Explore Mull, located
in a cabin in the Ledaig car park (April-Oct daily 9am-7pm;
T
01688 302875,
W
exploremull.co.uk) has more
information than the tourist o
ce, and they also arrange
accommodation and wildlife tours.
Bike rental
For bike rental, head to Archibald Brown,
the endearingly old-fashioned ironmongers at 21 Main
Street (Mon-Sat 8.30am-5pm;
T
01688 302020,
W
brownstobermory.co.uk), which charges £15/day.
WILDLIFE
WATCHING TRIPS FROM TOBERMORY
Although boat trips leave from several different places around Mull, Tobermory is as good a
place as any from which to begin a tour. Prices with most companies range from around £10
for a half-hour seal cruise to £80 for a full day whale-watching. Easily the best of these is
Sea Life Surveys
situated in the main car park (Easter-Oct;
T
01688 302916,
W
sealifesurveys
.com). Linked to the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, they focus on seeking out the whales
(minke and even killer whales are the most common), porpoises, dolphins and basking sharks
that spend time in the waters around the Hebrides; their seven-hour whale-watching trips are
not recommended for under-14s, though their two-hour Ecocruz (adult £30, child £20) is
much more family oriented. Rather more sedate are the six-hour wildlife cruises with
Hebridean Adventure
, based in Ulva House (April-Sept;
T
01688 302044,
W
hebrideanadventure.co.uk; £60), who also do a dinner cruise.
