Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Mull can have “all four seasons in a day” and we are used to this. Our Breaks are designed to be flexible and we should still get all of the activities completed during your time here. We will keep you fully up to date with the weather forecast each morning. Bring a coat though, just in case!

The boat trip is the most vulnerable part of the trip if the weather is poor. At the start of the break we will select the best day of the week for the boat trip so the itinerary may vary. There may be some weeks that the boat trip will not be possible due to the weather and we will adjust our plans accordingly and provide an alternative option.

We will provide you with everything you need to have a fabulous time here. Attention to detail is extremely important to us. If you have any special dietary needs, accessibility issues or anything else that you feel we need to be aware of then please do let us know. The only thing we don’t supply in the all inclusive price is drinks at the hotel which can be purchased at the bar.
The hotel will provide a three course (usually three choice) menu which changes each day; however if you want to order outside these menus a surcharge may be added on your bar tab.

You are completely free to cancel your break up to 10 weeks prior to the booked date and your deposit will be refunded fully. If you cancel after that date your Break expenses will have started and therefore the balance of your holiday will be charged. For this reason we advise that you take out travel insurance in case of an emergency.

For more information, please consult our Terms and Conditions.

Yes, although we are not a photography specific tour, we are a tour with plenty of photographic opportunities. There is space in the minibus for some camera equipment.

Mull is a wonderful island to visit, whichever time of the year you book. Some species are seasonal visitors so if you’re in doubt you could check our wee info-graphic for you to have a general idea of when best to see our target species. Please bear in mind that wildlife doesn’t follow the roman calendar in a dutiful manner!

4 weeks prior to your arrival, we will send you the following list, but it doesn’t hurt for you to know already.

Clothing

The Isle of Mull has very changeable weather owing to its central mountainscape and exposure
to the Atlantic. This can mean we see all four seasons in one day. Bringing a mix of layers (base
layers, lightweight jacket, fleece, waterproofs), as well as a sunhat/sunglasses and a beanie will
ensure that you are comfortable and are covered whatever the elements send our way.

Footwear

On our days out exploring Mull, we will be doing a mix of driving and stopping at sites where we
know there is (eg) an eyrie or an otter’s holt, as well as spotting signs of wildlife from the van as
we drive around. There isn’t usually a great deal of walking required but there are a few optional
longer walks from Tobermory & on Iona. Therefore we recommend packing comfortable
footwear. A sturdy trainer with decent grip or a set of hiking boots with ankle support are
recommended for Lunga where there is a short but uneven path across the beach and to the
first puffin burrows.

Out for the Day

In the van we will have everything that we should need to be comfortable throughout the day;
we will have the lunches, water canteens, wherewithal for tea & coffee, spare sets of binoculars,
spare walking poles, a good birding scope, reference books, first aid kit, as well as umbrellas,
foam sit-mats, suncream, insect headnets and insect repellent.

General / Other

Having a light day backpack will be useful for the boat trip to the Treshnish Group (Lunga &
Staffa) as well as on the excursion to Iona. If you like to take photos don’t forget to pack your
camera, SD cards and charger. There is also room in the van for tripods and extra scopes.
Although we will have insect repellent during the excursions, we recommend packing some for
personal use around the hotel; we recommend either Smidge or Jungle Formula.

We make every effort to accommodate each guest and their individual needs. The rooms at the Glenforsa hotel are all at ground floor level and accessible. Please, have a look at their website for a better idea.
Our minibus is comfortable but unfortunately cannot accommodate a wheelchair, though it does have space to accommodate a stroller in the boot and we carry walking poles onboard.
On excursions there is usually only a small amount of walking required with a few workarounds for those with mobility issues. The landings on Staffa & Lunga require some walking and climbing on uneven ground, though with the option to remain on the boat as a  possibility. Please get in touch with us if you are unsure and would like more information.

We would love to tell you that midges are a myth but they are certainly present on Mull. Their presence and intensity can vary from year to year and is also not the same depending on the time of year. Weather has a big impact too. As a general rule, if it is breezy, they should not bother you.

We carry with us head-nets for all our guests and midge repellent for when we are out and about, but we do recommend you pack some with you if you feel like it might be an inconvenience for you.

There is plenty of parking at the hotel. There is also an electric charging point for EVs. If you are planning on bringing your car across we advise to book your sailing far in advance as during the peak season the availability diminishes quickly.

It is something that can worry holiday-goers and it is a vital lifeline for us that live on Mull. The whole network has been suffering lately and it is now more often liable to disruptions and timetable changes than it used to be.

5 weeks prior to your Break, we will send you an email recommending you to book a ferry if you haven’t yet done so. It is more and more vital for people coming with a car to book in advance and we would even dare say that booking it a couple of months prior to your arrival might be the safest.

We always keep an eye on any possible change and we will give you updates in case it will impact your Break.

Yes, we will factor in a comfort stop each time we pass a public toilet or compost toilet.