Around Knockan

The Ross of Mull is a wonderfully varied area, having a range of magnificent beaches, as well as the most rugged terrain, most of it unspoiled. Walkers, geologists, birdwatchers and botanists find it a paradise. Some guests report seeing unbelievably large numbers of bird species, including sea eagles and golden eagles (of which there are several pairs along the south coast). Orchids, rare in most other parts of Britain, are found among many other wild flowers on the heathlands. From Iona Ferry, you can also sail to Staffa and the Treshnish Isles bird sanctuary. There is a current information pack in the cottage.

Iona is a world famous Scottish heritage site and the ferry across to Iona is only a few miles away but, if you are interested in history and archaeology, there is much of interest on the Ross of Mull as well, including the new Ross of Mull Historical Centre at Bunessan, which specialises in local history. If you are intrigued by the Da Vinci Code mystery, Kilmore church in Dervaig is not to be missed. It has a stunning stained glass window by Stephen Adam, dating from 1906 which .... well, if you like conspiracy theories, click here.

Something else to enjoy in Mull is the air quality. Nowhere sparkles with such freshness, something which enchanted the famous Scottish Colourist** school of painters. Also, on a clear night, away from the light and air pollution of the city, you can see for ever - well almost, and we have provided some equipment and information to help introduce you to the pleasures of stargazing.

If it is action you are after, there is golf (at Iona, Craignure or Tobermory), pony trekking, sailing, fishing, mountain biking and hillwalking* and you could take in the odd ceilidh in the village hall, or visit the famous Mull Little Theatre.

Or maybe what you really really want is to relax in exquisitely peaceful surroundings away from the treadmill. If so, Knockan is for you.

For more details visit

http:// www.boattripsiona

http://www.iona-bed-breakfast-mull.com/attractions/attractions.htm (particularly good for Ross of Mull local)

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g186584-Activities-Isle_of_Mull_The_Hebrides_Scotland.html

http://www.holidaymull.co.uk/activities/children

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/scotland/central-scotland/isle-of-mull/things-to-do

http://www.wildfuture.co.uk/index.php/isle-of-mull-walks-a-activities

Bikes: Good cycling on- or off-road. Isle of Mull Cycling Club have a website. Knockan has a shed for safe cycle storage. You can hire bikes at Blazing Saddles at Fionnphort.

Fishing: http://fishing-argyll.co.uk/isle-of-mull.html

Weather

Fresh and changeable are probably the salient features. In any one week, you could be rained upon, shined upon, blowed upon but rarely snowed upon, so you really need your swimsuit and your wellies. Not that we feel apologetic about this, since, nowadays, most people are aware that wall-to-wall sunshine is not all it’s cracked up to be. Actually, surprising as it may seem, this particular corner is no wetter than Torquay, while Iona is as dry as Cambridge.

Notes

* Mull has one Munro (Ben More) and one Corbett (Dun da Gaoth).

** Francis Cadell, one of the most expressive of the four colourists visited Iona in 1912, and returned there to paint almost every year for the rest of his life. Samuel Peploe also spent some time painting on Iona. The other two colourists were Fergusson and Hunter, but I don't think they ventured so far west.

John Lowrie Morrison is one of Scotland's foremost contemporary artists, whose work is described as "a mixture of Expressionism and Colourist." He also paints a great deal on the Ross of Mull, including several of Knockan. Google jolomo for more.