Ross of Mull

The Ross of Mull is the largest peninsula on the Isle of Mull, stretching about 28 kilometres along the south-western coast. It lies between Loch Scridain to the north and the Firth of Lorne to the south. The main villages are Bunessan and Fionnphort, with smaller settlements such as Ardtun, Camas, and Carsaig. Historic cleared settlements like Knocknafenaig and Shiaba dot the landscape. The area’s economy once relied on crofting, fishing, kelp harvesting, and granite quarries.

Tourism now dominates, employing 29 per cent of the workforce, while farming and fishing account for 15 per cent. Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 novel Kidnapped partly takes place on the tidal island of Erraid, off the Ross of Mull’s south-west coast. The 1945 film I Know Where I’m Going!, directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, was filmed largely on Mull, with Carsaig used as a base. Scenes were also shot at Duart Castle and Calgary, and parts of The Silent Storm were filmed there.

Visitors find a rugged landscape of moorland, cliffs, and sandy beaches. The peninsula offers quiet coastal walks and views across the Firth of Lorne. Erraid, accessible at low tide, adds a remote island feel. The granite quarries and cleared settlements tell stories of past industries and clearances. The villages provide simple inns and shops, while the surrounding waters attract wildlife. The Ross of Mull rewards those seeking open spaces and a slower pace.