Visiting the Isle of Mull in Winter – Part II

There are many reasons why there is a visiting the Isle of Mull in Winter – part II post and that is because over the course of our one week stay there is so much to talk about.

Sunday mornings are what lie in’s are all about and I am not really one to stay in bed once I am awake, so half eight I’m up and ready to put a pot of coffee on. As I am doing this I hear the rumblings of a helicopter and I go over to the large picture window to investigate. Sure enough there it was flying quite low from the north of the island over the sound. The noise must have disturbed a local white tailed sea eagle because it came within about sixty metres of the cottage. At this point I am calling for the Dude to get out of bed to come and see the sea eagle “quick come and see, come and see.” We watched for about ten minutes until it flew off low around Fishnish Bay. What a start to the day and the coffee hasn’t even brewed yet!

Wildlife

In previous years on Sundays during our visits to the island we have chosen to drive along Loch na Keal to Calgary Bay on the west coast and it is spectacular, this year was no exception. After packing up the car with binoculars, spotting scope, bird books, warm jackets, hats and a flask we set off. We didn’t get too far around the loch before we spotted an otter out on the rocks and we pulled over. Otter! We spent about thirty minutes watching this little beauty preening and enjoying the sunshine.

The views across the loch (where we were the day before) were gorgeous. Mountains topped with snow and the sun burning through the low cloud. Really pretty. Definitely a different sight to the previous day and looking out to sea it was clear and still.

The elevated approach gave us an amazing view in the bay. The light seemed softer and the colour of the water went from grey to green. The sky was lighter and the clouds were fluffy. I am not sure I can write with enough eloquence to paint this perfect picture you will have to do with a couple of photographs!

I found it quite strange that there was not a soul on this beach even on a winters day but I am sure it gets it’s fair share of visitors later on in the year, so we enjoyed the picture postcard view and our own private beach – shared just with the oyster catchers. We also chose to sit out on the bench to have some coffee from the flask we had made up, warm our cockles after our walk along to the old pier and checking out some of the rock pools. Never too old to go rock pooling.

Back on the road and we head out to Dervaig, still scanning the sky, trees and hills for wildlife. As passenger it means I get to enjoy more of the view, I also have better eye sight for spotting things! The colours at this time of year are quite rich – yellow, orange, green, brown and purples all working to make the perfect landscape.

After popping into Tobermory for some milk we get back out on the Salen road, most of which is single track road we see a single red deer still with his impressive antlers not far from the road. He looked rather majestic. Last spot of the day were the usual crew of seals at Salen, about fifteen or so.

Another great day exploring the island and the weather was kind to us and we were able to stretch our legs along the beach and coastal path. I don’t think I could ever get bored here, as a photographer and a lover of wildlife there is always something happening. Now back the cottage for a sauna, a glass of wine and to plan the next days adventures for visiting the Isle of Mull in Winter.