If you’re looking for a wild, beautiful, and family-friendly Scottish island adventure, the Isle of Mull is hard to beat. With white sandy beaches, scenic drives, wildlife spotting, and plenty of space for kids to roam free, it’s the perfect destination for a family trip.

Located off the west coast of Scotland, the Isle of Mull is the second-largest island in the Inner Hebrides and one of the most accessible for families to explore. Just a short ferry ride from the mainland, it feels remote with dramatic coastlines, colourful harbour towns, and miles of unspoilt landscape.

Despite its wild feel, Mull is easy to explore by car or campervan, with a range of campsites, local shops, and family-friendly activities. Ferries connect it not only to the mainland but also to nearby islands like Iona and Ulva which are perfect for day trips.

Whether you’re visiting for outdoor adventure, slower-paced family time, or simply to switch off and enjoy nature, Mull offers a little bit of everything.

We visited as a family of five in our new campervan, and while things didn’t quite go to plan at first, it turned into an enjoyable and memorable holiday. Here’s our full itinerary, including some of the costs, campsites, and practical tips for travelling with kids.

The white sandy beaches were definitely a highlight of the trip.

Hi, I’m Jess. As a family we are always on the lookout for new places to explore, whether that’s close to home, or further afield visiting new countries.

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Getting There.

Our original ferry from Oban to Craignure was cancelled due to disruption, so we switched to the Lochaline–Fishnish crossing instead. The crossing from Oban would usually be the recommended route, taking just 45 minutes, however it is proving increasingly unreliable at moment. After driving via Fort William and the Corran Ferry, we wild camped near Lochaline (Ariundle Nature Reserve Car Park) before catching the ferry the next morning.

Lochaline to Fishnish Ferry:

⏱ Crossing time: ~20 minutes
🚐 Check-in: Opens 10 minutes before departure
💷 Cost: ~£35 each way for a family of 5 (with one under 5) + campervan
ℹ️ Turn-up-and-go service

Despite initial concerns, the process was smooth and stress-free, ideal when travelling with young children.

Day 1: Arrival, Duart Castle & Stormy Weather

After arriving in Fishnish, we adjusted our plans due to an incoming storm and chose to stay in Craignure for a more sheltered first night.

Before the rain set in, we visited Duart Castle, a great family-friendly stop:

🌿 Grounds: Free (donations welcome)
🏰 Castle entry: Paid
☕ Facilities: Toilets, tea room, gift shop
🚶 Short walking trails

The weather soon turned, so we headed back to the campsite and settled in for the afternoon and evening. There was a small chocolate shop, and rather large charity shop close to the ferry terminal.

Day 2: Fidden Farm – Beachfront Camping

Once the storm passed, we made our way to Fidden Farm on the southwest coast, and this quickly became one of our favourite spots on the island. The views from the beach front pitches were amazing.

The drive itself is stunning, with sweeping coastal views, grazing sheep, deer, and narrow roads that make you slow down and take it all in. Be sure to keep an eye out for eagles flying overhead too.

Campsite details:

❌ No booking required—choose your pitch on arrival
🚿 Facilities: Toilets, showers, washing-up area
🔌 No electric hook-up
🌊 Beachfront pitches with uninterrupted sea views

We chose a pitch right by the water, where the kids could run straight onto the beach. They spent ages collecting shells, climbing rocks, and playing in the sand while we enjoyed the views. It was also a perfect spot for an Easter egg Hunt.

Even with strong winds, it felt peaceful and remote. As the evening settled, the sky cleared just enough to give us an incredible sunset over the water.

The sunset at Fidden Farm campsite. A beautiful spot on the island with plenty of space for the kids to roam free.

Day 3: Day Trip to Iona

From Fidden Farm, it’s just over a mile to Fionnphort, where you catch the ferry to Iona.

Ferry information:

🚶 Passenger-only ferry (indoor and outdoor seating)
💷 Cost: ~£14 return for 2 adults + 3 children (one under 5)
🅿️ Free parking near the terminal

Iona has a completely different feel, quiet, peaceful, and slower-paced. With the number of cars limited on the island (apart from a few service vehicles), it’s ideal for families.

Things to do on Iona:

Visit the Abbey (entrance fee, or included in Historic Scotland Membership) and Nunnery (historic and atmospheric). You can explore the Nunnery for free, and it makes a great spot for a game of hide and seek.
Browse small craft shops and cafés - this we didn’t do too much off as I always have the fear the children will break something!
Bring a picnic and find a scenic spot

We walked to North End Beach (around 45 minutes), passing open fields and coastal views along the way. The beach itself was wild and beautiful, even in the cold wind.

Other options include climbing Dun I for panoramic views or visiting the Heritage Centre, where we picked up an Explorer Book to keep the kids engaged.

The short ferry journeys are great entertainment for little ones. Under 5s often travel for free.

After we arrived back onto Mull we headed to Port Nan Gael campsite for the night. Situated not far from the small village of Bunessan, the campsite had:

🚿 Modern, clean facilities
🍞 Close to a pub, shop, and artisan bakery
🏕 Campervan pitches and pods available

The kids had plenty of space to run around and play football, and despite being close to the main road, we had a peaceful night’s sleep. It’s a campsite we would return to in the future due to it’s ideal location for exploring a few different parts of the island.

On the way to the campsite we stopped at Uisken Beach, a wide, open stretch of sand backed by hills. In calmer weather, it would be perfect for a longer stop or even wild camping.

Day 4: Exploring Central Mull

We began heading North, with a quick stop at the Isle of Mull candles shop on the way. I needed my first scent for the campervan! We then arrived at Ardura Community Forest as we had spied a suitable path that lead down to the river when we travelled across to Fidden Farm earlier in the week. We parked at the view point at the top of the hill as there was picnic bench, perfect for a lunch stop after the ramble. The kids, and the grown ups, paddled and played for ages and we caught more glimpses of eagles flying overhead.

Paddling and playing down by the river at Ardura Community Forest.

Just outside of Salen, you can pop into Glenforsa Cafe and Farm Shop either for a browse or a bite to eat . They had some lovely gifts and produce and the cafe looked really nice too.

That night, we stayed near Salen at a small campsite called Crannich Holiday Caravans and Campsite:

⚡ Electric hook-up available
🚿 Washing facilities, 1 toilet and 1 shower (very warm!)
🌿 Large grassy areas for kids to run around

Simple, quiet, and exactly what we needed. It does have a couple of small ponds so perhaps not ideal if you’ve got really wee ones, and I imagine the midgies in the summer would be a problem - something to consider.

Day 5: Ulva & Calgary Bay

One of the standout days of the trip, with something for everyone.

Ulva Ferry & Island Visit

We took the small passenger ferry to Ulva:

💷 £8 per adult / £4 per child return (under 5s free)
🅿️ Free parking (limited spaces)
🚻 Toilets and a small community hub nearby

The ferry is tiny and feels like part of the adventure in itself.

On Ulva, we followed the farm trail (~2 miles), which was ideal with kids. It had open paths, interesting scenery, and just enough challenge without being too much.

We checked out Ulva House (currently being restored by Banjo & Ro - check out the TV series of the restoration) and explored the community garden before heading back for lunch at The Boathouse.

🧺 Picnic benches available if you have your own food
🍽 The Boathouse restaurant (a treat, but worth it for the setting). As far as I am aware there is no children’s menu. They had some delicious home-bakes, we found this worked better for our kids.

Calgary Bay

From Ulva, we continued to Calgary Bay and it’s every bit as beautiful as people say. There is the option to stop off at Eas Fors waterfall on your way.

🏖 White sand and clear turquoise water
🚐 Small overnight camping area nearby
💰 Donation-based parking

The kids ran straight onto the beach, building sandcastles and climbing over rocks. It’s the kind of place where you could easily spend a whole day.

The beach at Calgary Bay was absolutely the highlight of the trip for the kids.

Day 6: Tobermory

The weather was wet in the morning so we had a slow morning in the campervan and headed out just before lunch. The campsite where we were staying was roughly 25 minutes from Tobermory.

Brightly painted buildings line the waterfront, and there’s a relaxed, slightly bustling feel compared to the rest of the island.

Parking tip: Free parking is available, but it can be tricky with larger vehicles, visiting later in the day helped us find a space.

Things to do:

Tobermory Smokehouse (located just outside the centre)
Isle of Mull Cheese Farm (shop, café, and tours). Again a short drive outside of the town.
Mull Museum
Whale & Dolphin Centre (a big hit with the kids)
Both these museums are free to enter, with a donation option available.

Food highlights:

🍦 Isle of Mull Ice Cream
🦪 Fresh seafood from the harbour

We finished the day with a short ramble at Glengorm Castle. This is an area we would like to explore further if (sorry when!) we come back to the island.

It’s definitely worth popping into Tobermory for a morning or afternoon.

Day 7: Calgary Bay, Art Trail & Journey Home

For our final full day on Mull, we let the kids choose, and unsurprisingly, they picked Calgary Bay again. With sunshine forecast, it felt like the perfect way to end the trip.

Before heading to the beach, we explored the Calgary Art in Nature Sculpture Trail. You can pick up a map at the Calgary Gallery. They also have some lovely things for sale too.

💷 £2.50 per adult (children free)
🎨 20+ sculptures hidden along the trail
👟 Can be boggy after rain, wellies recommended.

The trail winds through woodland and open viewpoints, with beautiful glimpses of the bay below. It added a fun “treasure hunt” element for the kids, who loved spotting each sculpture along the way.

Afterwards, we headed back to Calgary Bay, easily found parking, and made lunch in the van using fresh salmon we’d picked up from the smokehouse the day before. The rest of the afternoon was spent on the beach: sandcastles, rock hunting, and soaking up the sunshine (albeit in our winter jackets). In summer, there’s often a small ice cream hut here too.

That evening, we drove to Tobermory for fish and chips from the seafood truck - the perfect ending to the day.

The Calgary Art in Nature Trail is a great activity for little ones and offers some superb views of the bay below.

Heading Home (Unexpected Ferry Changes!)

In true Mull fashion, things didn’t quite go to plan. We later realised our ferry for the next day had been cancelled due to network disruptions.

The wind picked up overnight, and for a moment we wondered if we might be staying even longer, but by morning, conditions had improved.

Although our planned ferry was full, we managed to get on one an hour later. We used the extra time to make breakfast in the van and enjoy a relatively quiet cup of tea and bowl of cereal.

The drive back towards the mainland was stunning, with sunlight hitting the snow-dusted mountains in the distance.

We stopped in Fort William for supplies and fuel, then broke up the journey home with a stop at Boat of Garten for bacon sandwiches in the van, and a final ice cream stop in Huntly for the kids.

Places We’d Visit Next Time

There’s still so much of Mull left for us to explore. Next time, we’d love to visit:

Knockvologan Beach
Carsaig Bay & the Arches (great for fossil hunting)
Ben More (the island’s only Munro)
Some of the lower hills for family-friendly hikes
Aros Park, just outside of Tobermory
The headlands in the north of the island for some wildlife spotting.

Final Thoughts

The Isle of Mull is an incredible destination for families, offering a mix of adventure, nature, and simplicity.

Why Mull works so well with kids:

Relaxed, flexible campsites
Endless outdoor space to explore
Ferry trips that feel like mini adventures
Plenty of low-cost (or free) activities

Even with unpredictable weather, we had an amazing time.

The only question that remains is: Which island next?