Isle of Mull

We awake to a lovely sunny day and are looking forward to investigating the island and visiting one of the reasons for our visit here. We set off along the main road around the island and about 20 minutes in we take the turn to start us on one of our single track road journeys for the day. On the way to our destination this road isn’t too bad, the passing places are wide and there is not too much other traffic. We arrive at our destination and it is very well signposted unlike a lot of other places we have found sometimes in the UK. The reason for this is that the site is looked after by the Australian National Trust. This place is Lachlan Macquarie’s Mausoleum right in the middle of Mull.

You may ask why would we be visiting a mausoleum of someone that probably a lot of you don’t know or haven’t heard of but if you know me then you will know that this is the Governor who really developed not only Sydney but NSW to be the way it is today and he is my favourite governor. When we decided to come to the UK I wasn’t sure whether or not I would be able to actually see this place or not. I know it is a mausoleum but to me it was something that I can say now that I have visited just like all of the Governor Phillip memorials (still have one of these to go) as part of my interest in Australian history which not many other people have done.

We parked the car in a little spot just near the road where the sign is and follow the directions to walk from here on in. It is an access track to the farms which are around the mausoleum. We have to go through a couple of gates and some dogs start barking as we get nearer. The gentleman calls out good morning and we say hello back. I wonder what they think of this piece of Australian history being literally in their backyard. 

As we got closer we saw a small walled area and in the middle is the mausoleum. We went through the gate and read the sign that tells about Lachlan Macquarie and his family who are all buried here with him. He was born on the Isle of Mull and wanted this to be his final resting place. We take some photos as it is in a beautiful quiet spot in the middle of a lightly wooded area with fields leading up to it. A very nice resting place indeed. 

I have now ticked off something on a list of historical things I would like to do but never thought I would. Thank you to Peter for making allowances for me and my passion - history.

Our next stop on this gorgeous day is to a national park on Mull to do a short walk around a loch called Lochan. It is an easy walk with lovely vistas all around. We met some fellow walkers who we have a bit of a chat with and then moved on. We walked down another path and found that we were right on the edge of a little bay which had views across to a lovely looking town with brightly coloured buildings. We realised this was Tobermory the main town on the Isle of Mull which was on our agenda for today as well.

Lochan reflections

Lochan

Tobermory from Lochan

We made our way back to the car and drove on further until we got to Tobermory. It is lovely picturesque town with it’s coloured buildings and being right on the sea is known for it fresh seafood. We walked along the waterfront and there were a lot of men in kilts and ladies in tartan skirts (not kilts) looking like they were dressed for an event. We found out that they were all part of a festival of Gaelic singing festival called a Mod pronounced Maud taking place during the day and that evening. It was great as they all looked fantastic and a lot of them were practising their singing in various spots around the town. 

Lunch was a lovely sandwich down by the water overlooking the harbour. We walked through the shops and I found some beautiful jewellery which was in a Celtic pattern. Peter encouraged me to go and ask the price and when I did I knew that I wasn’t going to be getting this lot not after the jewellery I got when we were in Florence on our last big trip. But that was ok as it was nice to look at and it was a local craftsman so always good to show your appreciation even if you don’t buy.

As we walked back to the car we did promise Ben that we would look in on the Tobermory Whiskey Distillery and maybe do a tour. Unfortunately the distillery was closed for maintenance so we couldn’t have a look around but we did have a taste of the whiskeys and enquired whether they ship them home but unfortunately not. Sorry Ben! Still not a whiskey fan but can honestly say that there is a difference as of the two we tasted  I liked one and Peter liked the other one, as the second one was too smokey for me. 

The next part of the day we  spend driving around the top half of the island and this was where the single track road got pretty hairy in spots. Drivers seem to want to get where they are going quickly and come around corners and bam you meet them head on. Some of the passing places are quite narrow and at times we struggle to get by but we do. We also have to contend with sheep on the road as well. It is a beautiful drive but unfortunately there aren’t many places to stop and take photos due to the single track road. It is a real pity as I can see the lovely views but Peter has to concentrate on driving. We do manage a couple of stops but overall don’t have a lot of photos to show for all of the beautiful scenery. 

Loch Tor

When we get back to the hotel the wedding that we warned about is in full swing. There are people everywhere. We sit down in the lounge to try and do some stuff on our computers but realise we are definitely out of place but who cares. The guests are called into the wedding reception and the bride and groom are piped into the room with 2 bagpipers. What a great way to make an entry. As it is getting late we ask whether we can get some dinner from the bar menu and are met with a quizzical look and an “I’ll find out for you” from one of the young bar staff. 
Next minute what looks like the MC of the wedding comes across to say that weren’t we informed that due to the wedding they weren’t able to do food tonight unless you want to have what the wedding is having in a room downstairs with a group of people from a bus tour. But we can maybe get you something but there won’t really be a choice. Well that’s not exactly what we were told when we booked in, we realised that the restaurant would be out of the picture but we were led to believe we could get something. Anyway we decide to go into the pub which is crowded with what seems like quite a few wedding guests. Long story short we get a table and sit next to 2 couples who clearly are dressed up for the wedding and we recognise one as one of the pipers who we listened to earlier. 

He is regaling his mate and the ladies at the table with stories from the days event.
We go back to hotel and there he is again. This guy gets around. we are off to bed before making our way to the Isle of Skye tomorrow.