Mull or Skye: Which Island Is Best For You?
Choosing between the Isle of Mull and the Isle of Skye for a trip to Scotland is a delightful dilemma. Both islands boast rich Gaelic heritage, breathtaking scenery, and unforgettable experiences, yet they showcase very different sides of island living. Skye, renowned worldwide, draws visitors with its dramatic and rugged landscapes. In contrast, Mull offers a quieter, nature-focused environment – more peaceful but equally captivating, with epic coastlines dotted with secret spots and fascinating wildlife.
If choices beset your next foray to the Inner Hebrides, let our guide help! We’ll compare these iconic isles, what makes them so incredible, and which may be right for you!
Ready? Let’s go.
Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
We use the below booking platforms to plan our trips. We hope you find them useful too!
1. Accessibility: Getting There and Getting Around
The journey is often part of the magic in Scotland, but for some, ease of access is crucial!
The Isle of Skye: Over the Bridge
Skye holds the distinct advantage of being physically connected to the mainland via the Skye Bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh. This means no ferries are necessary if you drive, which immediately makes it feel more integrated into a mainland road trip – many tack it onto the western leg of the North Coast 500!
- Getting There: The drive up to the bridge is spectacular, winding through Glencoe and past Eilean Donan Castle. Once on the island, the road network is extensive but dominated by single-track roads in key tourist areas such as the Quiraing and the Fairy Pools.
- Public Transport: While driving is easiest, Skye has reasonably good bus connections, particularly linking the main town of Portree with major sights and the bridge, making it viable for non-drivers, though limiting flexibility.
- Accommodation: Due to its popularity, Skye offers a wide range of accommodation, from luxury hotels to numerous B&Bs and self-catering options. However, booking early is non-negotiable, especially during peak season.
VERDICT: Skye is easier to reach initially due to the bridge, but its immense popularity can make navigating the roads and securing last-minute lodging stressful. Be prepared for traffic jams at notorious hotspots like the Old Man of Storr car park!
The Isle of Mull: The Ferry-Bound Escape
Mull retains a stronger sense of island detachment, thanks to the need for a ferry crossing. This immediately filters out some of the crowds and reinforces the feeling of having truly escaped.
- Getting There: The main route is the CalMac ferry from Oban to Craignure, a pleasant 45-minute crossing. Other options include Lochaline to Fishnish (a swift crossing) and Kilchoan to Tobermory. Booking your vehicle onto the ferry is essential!
- On-Island Travel: Mull’s roads are often narrower and quieter than Skye’s. The main highway connects Craignure, Salen, and the charming capital, Tobermory, but venturing south towards Fionnphort (for Iona) involves beautiful, winding single-track roads that demand patience and a confident approach to passing places.
- Public Transport: Less comprehensive than Skye’s, Mull’s public transport is functional but relies on buses timed to coincide with the ferries, making a car highly recommended for full exploration of the island!
- Accommodation: Accommodation is more dispersed and arguably more quaint. You’ll find fewer large hotels and more small, family-run establishments. Tobermory, with its colourful waterfront, is the hub.
VERDICT: Mull requires a little more planning (ferry booking) but offers visitors fewer crowds and a more tranquil driving experience upon arrival. It feels like its own world, and a true escape!
More from The Hebrides!
2. Mull vs Skye: Aesthetics
Both islands are stunning, but their beauty manifests in different ways.
The Isle of Skye: Dramatic, Rugged, Alien
It’s the geological extremes that define Skye: a landscape of raw, basaltic drama that feels more like Middle-earth than modern Scotland.
- Geological Wonders: The defining features are the Cuillins – jagged, dark peaks that slice the sky – and the Trotternish Ridge in the north, home to fantastical rock formations like the Quiraing (a landslip of epic proportions) and the iconic pinnacle of the Old Man of Storr.
- Colour Palette: Skye’s dominant colours are the brooding grey of its mountains, the deep blues of the Atlantic, and the vibrant green and russet of the bracken. It’s dramatic and moody – a land of myth and legend.
VERDICT: Epic, overwhelming, and humbling; Skye challenges you to look up and feel small against its ancient, mighty forces. The sheer scale of the landscape is often the star.
The Isle of Mull: Gentle, Varied, Coastal
Mull’s beauty is softer, more varied, and heavily influenced by its intimate connection to the sea.
- Coastal Character: Mull boasts 300 miles of coastline, resulting in diverse scenery. It transitions quickly from lush woodland and sheltered bays in the east to wild, rocky Atlantic shores in the west.
- Highlights: The colourful, postcard-perfect harbour of Tobermory (instantly recognisable from children’s TV!) provides a vibrant contrast to the rest of the island’s natural hues. The island’s also a stepping stone to some truly timeless escapes, like Lunga, Staffa, and Iona.
- Wildlife Focus: Mull’s allure is intertwined with its prolific wildlife – sea eagles soaring overhead, otters darting in the reeds, and deer grazing by the roadside. The landscapes often feel viewed in conjunction with nature, not just alongside it!
VERDICT: Peaceful, colourful, and immersive. Mull’s beauty often requires a little more effort to discover, tucked away down quiet lanes or across misty moorland.
In Need of a Hebridean Steed?
3. Attractions: What to Do
The attractions on each island reflect their underlying aesthetic and accessibility. We would tend to say that Skye tends to focus on hiking and landmark photography, while Mull leans into wildlife, history, and sea-based activities!
Skye’s Must-See Attractions
Skye’s attractions are globally renowned, often centred on challenging hikes or easily accessible visual spectacles.
We’ve always found it best for serious hikers, landscape photographers, and those who want to tick off instantly recognisable, bucket-list Scottish sights!
- Epic Hikes: There are plenty of essential, moderately challenging hikes with world-class views. Expect crowds!
- Watery Wonders: Beautiful natural pools for a quick dip (if you dare!), mesmerising cascades, and a stunning waterfall that drops straight into the sea!
- History & Culture: Crofting museums, cliff-perched ruins and stunning clan strongholds – it’s all waiting for you!
- Island Base: Portree is a great wee place, with its vibrant harbour and excellent selection of shops and eateries!
Mull’s Must-See Attractions
Mull’s attractions are centred on nature, coastal life, and the island’s unique satellite destinations.
If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, history buff, or a traveller who loves island-hopping, we think you’ll adore Mull as much as we do!
- Island Trips: There are essential detours to take. Iona is the birthplace of Celtic Christianity, a place of serenity and beauty; Lunga is famed for its seabird colonies, whilst Staffa features the remarkable hexagonal basalt columns that frame Fingal’s Cave, forever lashed by the waves.
- Wildlife Watching: Mull is arguably the best place in the UK for wildlife: boat trips and coastal drives frequently yield sightings!
- History & Culture: Visit the dramatically situated Duart Castle, home of the MacLeans, or venture into the iconic Tobermory for food, drink or a distillery tour!
- Follow the Coast: The drive to Calgary Bay is a scenic, single-track route leading to one of the island’s most beautiful white-sand beaches!
Posts We Think You'll Love!
Mull or Skye: Which Island is for You?
Choosing between Mull and Skye isn’t about finding the ‘better’ island; it’s about finding the right island for your specific trip.
Choose The Isle of Skye If:
- Your Time is Limited: The Skye Bridge means you can seamlessly integrate it into a tight schedule without worrying about ferries.
- You Like The Drama: You want to stand beneath towering, alien-like rock formations and take iconic photos.
- You Like To Hike: The challenge of the Cuillins or the sheer scale of the Trotternish Ridge gets both the leg muscles and the imagination going!
- You Don’t Mind Crowds: You understand that to see the world’s most famous spots, you have to share the view!
Choose The Isle of Mull If…
- You Crave Escape: You want the authentic feeling of being on a Hebridean island, reliant on the sea!
- You Love Wildlife: You dream of seeing golden eagles, sea eagles, otters, and maybe even seals, whales or basking sharks!
- You Love Island-Hopping: The proximity of Iona and Staffa makes Mull a fantastic base for exploring smaller, unique isles.
- You Seek Variety: You prefer a mix of colourful harbours, gentle hills, rugged coastlines, and a more relaxed pace.
Mull or Skye: Your Call!
In short, we believe Skye is for the intrepid adventurer chasing the epic, photogenic Scottish dream; Mull is for the soulful explorer seeking quiet beauty, abundant nature, and a deeper connection to the Hebridean way of life.
But here’s the brilliant truth: You will fall in love with whichever island you choose. They both offer a potent, authentic dose of the Scottish Highlands and Islands. If you have time, visit both – Skye first for the dramatic spectacle, and Mull second to decompress and soak up the quieter beauty.
But if you must choose just one, ask yourself this: would you rather brave the elements on a mighty mountain trail, or kayak through crystalline waters, eyes peeled for local fauna?
Your answer holds the key to your perfect Scottish island escape. Follow yer heart!
Happy travels!
Useful Links
- VisitScotland – for local info!
- CalMac Ferries – book well in advance!
- Met Office – check the weather!
- Traffic Scotland – for route changes and updates.
- WalkHighlands – the best hiking trails and tips.
- Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) – be informed!
- Highlands2Hammocks (That’s us!) – for our online shop, other blogs, and brand-new campervan rental service.
