All around are marvellous views, from the dramatic ramparts of the Burg peninsula across Loch Scridain towards Ben More, and out to sea towards the Isle of Staffa, famed for its remarkable Fingals' Cave.

Within ten to twenty minutes drive there is more wonderful Hebridean scenery with dream views of distant islands - and some of the finest shell-sand beaches on the Scottish West Coast. The ferry to Iona, is just a few miles away, and so you can be the first across in a morning to "warm your heart", as Samuel Johnson put it, in the restored cathedral which Saint Columba founded over 1400 years ago.

According to your interests, the islands of Mull and Iona can be a wilderness awaiting discovery, a sporting paradise, a haven of peace and relaxation or simply a charming and beautiful centre for a Highland holiday away from the cares and pressures of modern life. Even on a brief visit to Mull it will soon become obvious that this is a good place for wildlife. Red deer roam the hills. Eagles and Buzzards soar over the skylines. Seals and otters can be seen in many of the bays and inlets. Mull's blend of mountains, coastline, moorland and bogs is a wonderful habitat for both flora and fauna.

Red deer are seen on the hills and in the many forests here. In the winter they are often found along the shoreline licking the salt from the rocks. Fallow deer inhabit the wooded area around Gruline and Salen and wild white goats are found from Grass Point in the south-east down to the Ross of Mull in the south-west.

Seals are easily viewed from a number of points on the island, but the best way to see them is from a boat, as they swim in the sea or bask on one of the small islands around Mull.

Both the common seal and the Atlantic grey seal (the third rarest seal in the world) are frequently seen.


Mull is one of the best places to see whales and dolphins in the UK and Europe too. The waters around Mull are home to bottlenose dolphins, minke whales and harbour porpoises. Risso's dolphins, killer whales, common dolphins and Atlantic white-sided dolphins are also common visitors to the area.

For more information on whales and dolphins in Scotland and the best places to see them on Mull, visit the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust's Marine Discovery Centre in Tobermory.


Otters are often sighted and many sea lochs have permanent residents. Mink are becoming an increasing problem on the island and are now seen more often than we would like.

There are also polecats, weasels, stoats, feral ferrets, rabbits, blue and brown hares and rats.

Field voles and mice help feed the buzzard population and of course the many cats, both domestic and feral, that live on the island. There is a good population of shrews and pygmy shrews, the latter being a protected species.

Evidence of moles can be seen almost every where and they have been known to appear by the roadside. An unusual sight for a passing walker!

Lizards can be found basking in the sun on dry stone dykes and slow worms sunning themselves on the grass and moss. Frogs are plentiful and there is also a healthy population of both toads and newts. Grass snakes and adders do well here, too.

Beautiful dragonflies are regular visitors to ponds and bogs in the summer and there are always plenty of colourful butterflies and moths to be seen, along with their creepy crawly, hairy caterpillars.

One of Mull's natural assets is its rich variety of bird life.

Puffins can be seen in early summer on staffa and the Treshnish Isles.

There are many Buzzards, Sparrowhawks and Kestrels on Mull, and there are resident Golden Eagles, Merlin, Peregrine and Hen Harriers. Sea Eagles have nested here in recent years.

Red Grouse and Ptarmigan are resident, along with numerous Pheasants. There are a few Water Rail, but these shy birds are very difficult to spot.

Lapwing and Ringed and Golden Plovers breed here, as do Snipe and Woodcock which are quite numerous although localised. Many waders either reside on or visit Mull, the most commonly seen and heard being the Curlew.

Short-eared Owls are often seen flying over moorland and young forestry plantations during the breeding season and there are some resident Tawny and Barn Owls.

In fact, we have seen almost all these birds, along with numerous stone-chats and wheatears from Salachran itself. We even have nesting pairs of hen harriers and short-eared owls as neighbours!

(We did use a telescope to see the Sea eagles, soaring off the cliffs of Burg).

Mull is a great place to explore in the winter.  Come for a romantic break.....or if the feathered variety is more your thing, Mull is a haven for hen harriers, buzzards, short-eared owls....and if you're lucky you may not even need to leave the cottage to tick them off your list!  Oh, and Salachran comes fully equipped with a wood burning stove meaning the cottage will be cosy and warm during your winter retreat.  What more incentive do you need!?