The Isle of Mull, and its neighbour Iona, are lands carved by fire and ice. Volcanic in origin, shaped by the last Ice Age, they are home to some of the most fascinating and complex geology you’ll see anywhere in the world. Rock climbers will find an astounding array of craggy faces to scramble up, suitable to all levels. Other things to do on the Isle of Mull, of which the list is endless, include wild swimming, otter spotting and other guided walks or wildlife and marine spotting trips by boat, and following unique local food trails. You can visit the other islands of Iona and Ulva by foot from Fionnphort or Ulva ferry, or spend your time driving the Mull 123. The latter is a 123-mile drive right around the island, which is a great way to soak in all of its stunning mountain and sea views. And, if you need to indulge yourself after exploring the island, head to the Isle of Mull Hotel Spa!
On the Isle of Mull, campsites span the length and breadth of the island, leaving you plenty of time to explore all its nooks and crannies whilst knowing there’s somewhere to head back to in the evenings. However, some have more facilities than others. As you head southwest, facilities tend to get more limited. To help you know where best to stay, we have included our top five Mull campsites for motorhomes, plus some crucial info about pitching up elsewhere along your journey around the island.
Campsites
1. The first of the Isle of Mull campsites we’re visiting is Shieling Holidays, which is a beautiful shorefront site that boasts views up Loch Linnhe to Ben Nevis. The site is in Craignure, which is first or last stopping point for touring Mull, as it’s so close to the ferry terminal. You can stroll along the coastline and through the forests, to catch the ferry or set off on boat trips, pubs, shops, and local cafes.
The use of most of this site’s facilities is free, including hot showers, dishwashing area, free WiFi, grey waste and chemical disposal, fresh water, and a designated campfire area. There’s also a games room with ping pong and pool table for wet days, and a common room with a microwave, kettle, and a stove. You can also buy washing machine and tumble dryer tokens for £4 per cycle, and laundry detergent for £2.
The standard price for 2 people per night is £23. Electric hookup is an extra £5.
Craignure, Isle of Mull, PA65 6AY
bookings@isleofmullcampsite.co.uk
2. One mile west of Tobermory - one of the most scenic villages on the West Coast - is Tobermory Campsite. This woodland and riverside site has plenty of hard standing pitches. They offer electric hook up, chemical disposal, toilets and showers, and free WiFi. Every water outlet is fed by the site’s private spring, which is fresh, filtered and UV treated. Tobermory has plenty of spaces, however, booking in advance is always advised.
Like Shieling Holidays, this one of the more ideal Isle of Mull camping sites for motorhomes that are less self-contained, because of the range of accessible services and facilities. There’s a self-service launderette in the Harbour Association building, in the village’s main car park. The village also has pubs, restaurants, a Co-op supermarket, bank, bakery, and award-winning fish and chip van. And you may recognise Tobermory for its renowned, colourful waterfront, which featured on the children's program, Balamory!
Motorhome pitches are £11 per adult per night, and £5 for ages 5 - 15 (with younger children going free). Electric hook up costs £5 per night, and there’s no extra charge per dog.
Newdale Cottage, Dervaig Road, Tobermory, Isle of Mull, PA75 6QF
Tobermory Harbour
3. Salen Bay campsite is truly beautiful, even for Isle of Mull motorhome sites. It’s off the beaten track, as it’s hidden down the ‘old pier road,’ which was once an essential route for the island’s groceries as they came off the ferry until the late 60s. The best thing about this site is the 360-degree mountain and sea views offered by the elevated campground. It’s easy access to over 100 acres of shoreline makes it a great site for spotting wildlife like otters, deer, eagles and porpoises, for fishing, or launching small craft like kayaks that you can hire on-site. It’s only a short walk to the village of Aros and all its amenities, as well as a ruined 13th century castle. There’s 3 state of the art portacabin block, which provides cosy washroom facilities with powerful, hot showers. Other facilities include chemical disposal point and grey water drain, and reception with WiFi.
Hardstanding motorhome pitches are £21 for the first night for up to 2 adults, and £20 on consecutive nights. Electric hookup is £5 per night. Here, a £26 deposit is required to secure bookings, and bookings under 3 nights require a full payment in advance.
Ardmor Road, Aros, PA72 6JL
Mull is home to a unique array of wildlife, including puffins
4. Crannich is one of the smaller Isle of Mull campsites and is no less lovely. It offers a secluded location with panoramic views across the glen. It’s a small working farm with an array of animals on site, including longhorn cattle, guinea fowl, blackface sheep and horses. The owners have worked hard to reforest the previously tree-less site and make it a haven for wildlife and have created a gorgeous site with rambling pathways throughout its wooded and landscaped areas.
They have hard standing pitches with electric hook up, drinking water, WiFi and chemical and grey water disposal points. There’s a toilet and shower block, and pets are welcome by prior arrangement (they must always remain attended and on leads).
Motorhome pitches are £27 per night for two campers, and this includes electric hook up. There’s a single occupancy discount of £3. Advanced bookings require an upfront deposit of £10 per night.
Crannish, Aros, Isle of Mull, Argyll, Scotland, PA72 2JP
5. The last of our top Isle of mull motorhome sites is Pennygown Holiday Park. This family-run, pet-friendly site is nestled in the island’s rural landscape, alongside the river Forsa. All pitches on the site have views across the Sound of Mull that will make this place hard to ever leave. All pitches are spacious and are hard-standing with electric hook up. The facilities include modern showers and toilet, launderette, and the site’s own coastal walk. Wildlife is known to wander up and see what’s happening on site, and wardens ensure all is going smoothly. There is no WiFi, but EE works well throughout the site.
Motorhome pitches with electric hook up are £28 per night.
Glenforsa, Aros, Isle of Mull, PA72 6JN
There’s a useful, comprehensive map of all the Isle of Mull camping sites (made in 2021), serviced and otherwise, available for free download from the Visit Mull and Iona website.
Driving around Mull
To get to Mull via ferry, head to the Hebridean and Clyde ferries website. Although these Isle of Mull motorhome sites aren’t hard to access, driving the single lanes of this stunning little island make the journey seem more stressful for those with big vehicles. You’ll have a smooth drive if you follow the highway code. A few main pointers include keeping left and on the tarmac, stopping and dipping your headlights in a convenient place if a vehicle is approaching you at night, not obstructing entrances, passing places or homes, and not driving on the verges.
You can drive as slowly as you feel you need to, but let traffic overtake by pulling into and stopping your vehicle in a passing place on your left. More able drivers in 4x4’s may help you out by negotiating potholes and muddy roads so that you can pass safely (and may ignore the keep left rule by doing so) but never assume that this will happen!
There is a great video on Youtube designed to help drivers coming to the Scottish Islands and Highlands to feel prepared for their trip.
Wild Camping
Unfortunately, the possibility for wild camping on Mull, as per the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, is limited to walkers and cyclists with tents, and doesn’t extend to motorists driving campervans. A campervan found parking overnight in an area outside of established campsites and without permission will likely be asked to leave by the landowner, so be sure to overnight only at designated campsites.
Luckily, there are a few nearly wild camping spots on Mull, which are suitable for motorhomes and will let you fully enjoy stunning views, peace and quiet. Along the Northern road from Tobermory, you’ll find the famous Calgary beach. This is probably Mull’s most popular beach, and you can pull up there in a small council-owned campsite. This is only suitable for small campervans, as wider vans won’t fit through the gateway, and apart from the toilets, there are no other facilities. However, if you can, it’s wonderful to camp so close to the water’s edge. There’s also Lochbuie campsite, which has no facilities but amazing views to Colonsay and Islay. 500m away there’s a WC and water tap, and nearby, the Old Post Office café provides delicious snacks, lunches, and hot drinks. Self-sufficient motorhomes are also welcome to pitch up on Ardalanish farm, but again, hook-up, waste disposal or drinking water aren’t provided. To get there, travel west on the A849 and watch out for signs for Ardalanish (Isle of Mull Weavers). On arrival at the farmyard, you’ll be directed to where to park. Here, the fee is £10 per vehicle per night.
If you’re not using any of the Isle of Mull camping sites, but need chemical disposal, there are facilities at Bunessan and Ulva ferry, which cost £10 to use.
Before You Go
There are a few final pointers for visiting our top Mull campsites for motorhomes:
- Be sure to plan before arriving on Mull. Book your space at a campsite you may have to pay a deposit to secure your place.
- Only use camping stoves in approved areas, and make sure they’re off the ground. Don’t start open campfires because of the risk of wildfires.
- Dispose of all your litter responsibly and if you can, take away any other litter you see.
- Follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code so as not to harm wildlife or the environment.
- Whilst visitor vehicles are not allowed on Iona or Ulva, definitely go and visit on foot if you can. There is free daytime parking at the Columba Centre, Fionnphort and at Ulva Ferry.
Above all, enjoy your trip to one of the wildest and most exciting destinations in the UK! Make the most of it by hiring the perfect campervan for you. You can find a unique vehicle to nip around Mull’s lanes from our motorhome hire in Scotland.
