Mull is a must-visit destination for any food lover. This beautiful Hebridean island is packed with great-tasting Argyll produce. Beef, lamb and pork come from livestock that feed on the lush, herb-filled grasses, while seafood is hauled fresh from the surrounding Atlantic waters. Feast on fruit and vegetables from the island’s market gardens, savour delicious home-baked goodies and discover local artisan treats. There's also an abundance of eating places to enjoy all this fabulous food, many of which are in glorious locations. Have a mouthwatering holiday on Mull this year. Here’s how!
1. Sample the seafood
Seafood is harvested from the clear waters around Mull, and within a short time they can be prepared, cooked and on your plate. Local boats catch monkfish, Dover sole, cod, halibut, John Dory, haddock, plaice, crab and squid, while oysters and mussels are harvested off the island’s shores. Head to Tobermory Harbour to watch the boats land the catch of the day at Fishermen’s Pier. Mull is famous for its juicy, plump scallops. The Ethical Shellfish Company and the Isle of Mull Scallop Company are both family-run businesses supplying restaurants locally and nationally. For smoked fish, head to the Tobermory Fish Company, situated just above the Tobermory Bay. Make sure you try the deliciously succulent smoked trout.
Award-winning Café Fish is one of the best places on Mull to try the local seafood. Tuck into langoustines, lobster and squat lobster - landed that day by the restaurant’s own fishing boat - while enjoying spectacular views to the Sound of Mull. The Creel is another fabulous place for feasting on fresh fish. This small seafood bar by the ferry terminal at Fionnphort on the Ross of Mull serves up the most delicious seafood, most of which is caught by the owner or brought in by local divers and suppliers. It’s landed at the pier just next to the café – you don’t get much fresher than that!
2. Marvel at the meat
The island farmers and crofters use a community-owned and managed abattoir, which enables beef, lamb, venison and pork to be produced, processed and sold on the island. So it doesn’t only taste great, but it’s good for animal welfare, the local economy and the environment too. Many restaurants feature this prime quality, slow-grown, local meat regularly on their menus. Try the organic Highland beef and Hebridean lamb from Ardalanish Farm, Bunessan. The meat has a unique – and utterly delicious – taste. The Aberdeen Angus beef from Ardnacross Farm is another meaty wonder. It’s sold, along with venison, free range eggs, lamb and other farm produce, at the farm. And don’t miss out on the chance to try Isle of Mull Haggis. It’s made at Ballygown Restaurant and is the only homemade haggis in the whole of Argyll!
3. Make a break for the baking
Mull has more than its fair share of great bakers. Visit any market, event or fair and you’ll be treated to tables piled high with homemade cakes, sweets and treats. Mull is also home to Island Bakery organic biscuits. They’re made in a purpose-built factory in Tobermory, powered entirely by local, renewable energy. There’s something for everyone, but the Lemon Melts are undoubtedly the customers’ favourites! At Tobermory Bakery you can enjoy bread fresh from the oven every morning and homemade cakes throughout the day.
4. Get excited about ice cream
From its sea front location on Tobermory's main street, Isle of Mull Ice Cream make and sell delicious handmade ice cream in unique flavours. It’s made using milk from Sgriob-ruabh Farm, the only dairy farm on the island. The flavours and inspired by Mull. How do Tobermory Whisky Cranachan, Tobermory Whisky Marmalade, Island Bakery Dark Chocolate & Ginger Cheesecake and Maggie B’s local tablet with Panna cotta sound?
5. Cheer for chocolate!
Tobermory Chocolates has been making divine chocolates on Mull since 1991. Walk into the shop and you’ll find rack upon rack of these delicious handmade indulgences – all made right here in the shop. There’s also a café, where you can try the 'Death by Drinking Chocolate'. Arlene’s Coffee Shop in Craignure is another chocaholic heaven. It stocks a wide variety of handmade artisan chocolates.
6. Wash it down with a whisky
At some point on your visit you might fancy a wee dram to complement all this fabulous food. Tobermory, the island’s only distillery, produces two distinctly different malt whiskies: the lightly peated Tobermory and the more robustly peated Ledaig.
Craignure, Dervaig and Tobermory Producers’ Markets are great places to buy Mull produce and meet the island’s producers. For more inspiration about Mull food and drink, as well as details about the markets, see the Mull and Iona Food Trail website.
Find out more about things to see and do on Mull, Iona, Coll & Tiree.
Cover photo courtesy of Mull and Iona Food Trail.