If the small town of Tobermory, located on the Isle of Mull, seems slightly too picturesque and quaint for reality it might come as no surprise that it is the actually the backdrop for a British children’s TV show. The name is derived from the Gaelic words “Tobar Mhoire,” meaning Mary’s Well, for the feature dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Bright, primary-color painted buildings along the main street are definitely a far cry from traditional, but certainly add to the character of the village. This tenuous claim to fame aside, it is still a true working community, it acts as a hub for many small vessels, commercial and private alike, and even has a whiskey distillery.
Wandering through town and in and out of shops provides and authentic taste of what it might be like to live in this locale. Bookstores and pubs alike are welcome shelters from the rain as we continue to be treated to bouts of typical Scottish weather. For those undaunted by a bit of rain and drizzle the trail leading out of town along the shore showed off the botanical diversity of the area, punctuated by the distinctive Scottish Pine. As the path wound up and over the ridgeline a low rumble could start to be heard in the distance and as Mull is not known for its bustling highways another explanation was needed. Approaching closer it became apparent that all of the rain over the last day or two had made a significant impact on a small stream that had turned into a raging river, complete with a dramatic waterfall. Standing at its base and appreciating the raw power, with the booming roar in our ears, was a fine reward for braving the elements, coupled with the promise of a warm drink back on board Lord of the Glens.
The afternoon saw us transiting the open sea and a spot of swell around the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, hearing about the ancient forests of Caledon from naturalist Robin, a quick walk around the stunning gardens on the Isle of Skye and then returning to the mainland for the evening on the Knoydart Peninsula where after dinner there was the opportunity for a nightcap at the Old Forge Inn, Britain’s most remote pub on mainland in Inverie.
