About Mull

Cearcall a’ chuain                                                 May the circle of the ocean
Gu brath bidh i a’tionndadh                                   Keep turning for me
Leam gu machair geal an lar                                   Until I reach the white sands of the west
Far an do thosich an la                                          Where the day first began

Cearcall a’ Chuain                                                 The Circle of the Ocean

(Calum agus Ruaridh Domhnallach)                         (Calum and Rory MacDonald)

With more than 300 miles of coastline as well as rugged mountains, spectacular sea lochs, and verdant woodland and glens, the Isle of Mull offers a diverse range of landscape photography opportunities. The island is abundant with wildlife: white tailed sea eagles, golden eagles, otters and other animals and birds are regularly sighted. Mull has a complex geology and a rich history. Traces of the first inhabitants of the island may be found in the form of standing stones, vitrified duns and other ruins. More recently, the island’s turbulent history has left its mark with deserted villages scattered across the landscape, marking the legacy of the highland clearances.

Any photographer, whatever his or her level of experience or skill, cannot fail to be inspired by the island. 

Mull is the second largest island in the Hebrides; it is also the wettest. But this should not deter the photographer. With its position in the far north west of the British Isles, weather fronts regularly sweep in across the island from the north Atlantic. It is Mull’s location on this meteorological front line which creates the exciting conditions for Hebridean light. Some of the most compelling landscape images are created on the edge of bad weather when rays of storm light are wielded across the land. When they arrive, ridges of high pressure which bring sunshine and clear skies tend to linger. On those ‘dreich’ days when the sky is overcast and rain seems ever-present, we find excellent conditions to explore Mull’s forests with the soft, diffuse light being perfect for woodland photography and for capturing waterfalls.

At Islandscape Photography, we aim to share some of the beauty and sheer magnificence of Mull with you. Take Loch na Keal, for example, a large sea loch on the west coast of the island. With its spectacular geology and sixteen miles of coastline, as well as views across to the Ben More and its mountain outliers, the opportunities for the photographer are almost limitless. Then there is Kildavie, a deserted village in the north west of the island, reached by an atmospheric forest walk, and nearby Langamull, an idyllic white sandy beach just a short distance away with views to the islands of Skye, Rum, Eigg and Muck as well as Ardnamurchan Point, the most westerly point of the British mainland. Just along the coast is Croig, a tiny fishing harbour with secluded beaches and coves, as well as views to Skye and the Small Isles. To the south on a remote headland are Crackaig and Glac Gugairidh, poignant shells of houses deserted during the highland clearances. Here you will find the contorted shape of a tree on which the last inhabitant is said to have hanged himself. Then there are the hidden delights of Cill Mhoire, where standing stones and a tranquil burn may be found in the dense woodland. These are just a few of the places which we wish to help you explore and absorb on this wonderful and magical island.