5 Best Campsites on the Isle of Mull

January 2, 2024 in Destinations, Campsites, Tips for Travellers, Scotland & United Kingdom

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 include wild swimming, otter spotting and 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. 

Campsites span the length and breadth of the Isle of Mull, 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 Isle of Mull campsites 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 helpful information about pitching up elsewhere along your journey around the island. 
best campsites on the isle of mull motorhome

1. Shielding Holidays, Craignure

Craignure, Isle of Mull, PA65 6AY
56.47128717766341, -5.698041538762463


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 the 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 and laundry detergent. 
best campsites on the isle of mull motorhome

2. Tobermory Campsite, Tobermory

Newdale Cottage, Dervaig Road, Tobermory, Isle of Mull, PA75 6QF
56.61508986148464, -6.087871003127454


One mile west of Tobermory — one of the most scenic villages on the West Coast — you'll find Tobermory Campsite. This woodland and riverside site has plenty of hard-standing pitches. They offer electric hook-ups, 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, a bank, a bakery, and an award-winning fish and chip van. You may recognise Tobermory for its renowned, colourful waterfront, which was featured on the children's program, Balamory!
best campsites on the isle of mull motorhome

3. Salen Bay Campsite, Aros

Ardmore Road, Aros, PA72 6JL, Isle of Mull
56.52403389223558, -5.94017092477121


Salen Bay campsite is truly beautiful, even for already beautiful Isle of Mull standards. 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 because of the campsite being elevated. Its easy access to over a hundred 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 a chemical disposal point, grey water drain, and reception with WiFi.

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best campsites on the isle of mull motorhome

4. Crannich Holiday Caravans & Campsite, Aros

Crannish, Aros, PA72 2JP, Isle of Mull
56.53540649623008, -6.040918309462233


Crannich Holiday Caravans & Campsite 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 hookups, 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). 
best campsites on the isle of mull motorhome

5. Pennygown Holiday Park, Glenforsa

Glenforsa, Aros, Isle of Mull, PA72 6JN
56.5195239640242, -5.8987009877902095


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 an electric hook-up. The facilities include modern showers and toilets, a 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.
best campsites on the isle of mull motorhome

Driving around the Isle of 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 makes 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 feel prepared for their trip.
best campsites on the isle of mull motorhome

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 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.
best campsites on the isle of mull motorhomeThere’s also Lochbuie campsite, which has no facilities but amazing views of 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 staying at 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 Isle of 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 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 on our platform
 

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