Spring Equinox on Mull

Spring Equinox on Mull

The spring equinox on mull, like everywhere, is technically when we pass from winter to summer and after what feels like a long winter, spring on the Isle of mull is finally underway, the snowdrops have given way to the first daffodils, the first buds are appearing on the trees, and the snow is quickly melting on Ben More.

As I write we have just past the equinox and here on mull, as usual it was accompanied by a flurry of spectacular nights watching the aurora. Nobody really understands why the equinoxes seem to have such a close tie with aurora displays, but for me this is a special time of year and for one I enjoy getting wrapped up against the cold to watch this wonderful phenomenon. March 15^th was the best I have ever seen and I took the chance to take out the camera and see what I could capture, I emphasize I am a strict amateur that I am only just getting used to the complexity of my camera.

The cold starry nights are now giving way to lengthening daylight and a little more heat in the sun, the animals have certainly noticed that spring is here and when I wake in the morning it is noticeable that more and more birds are singing and going about their business and we can all look forward to the latest generation of young been reared on the Isle of Mull.

Spring on the Isle of mull is the time of year when the residents all get prepared for the summer season, people on the island have a smile on their face after their semi-hibernation and there is a last minute panic to get all the little last minute jobs done that the winter weather wouldn’t allow.

 Here at hart of mull log cabins we have installed a new electric shower in cabin 1 and the paint brush is about to get its annual outing for the regular timber treatment, also plans are afoot for the installation of a Jacuzzi hot tub at cabin 2 and the turf roofs are about to begin on the camping cabin and sauna.

 Next stop mid summer’s day.

www.hartofmull.co.uk

Isle of Mull

Isle of Mull is a fantastic place to live and work and I feel blessed for having had the chance to experience it. I love having the opportunity to promote the Isle of Mull through my blog, and I hope every one enjoys reading it. So my job is to make you want to come on your next holiday here to the Isle of Mull. I think there are lots of reasons why you should but I will list only a few I promise not to go on too long.

When I want to go on holiday I look for some where with a variety of views and changing scenery Isle of Mull ✔. The people are friendly ✔. There will be wild life aplenty in there natural environment ✔. If I want to walk for miles in unspoilt country side I can✔or visit historical castles or churches I can✔. We also have little fishing villages, colourful villages  and beautiful sandy beaches and rocky coves.

We have some wonderful restaurants with fresh locally supplied food from fish to venison with local beef pork and lamb even biscuits and cheese all coming up tops. If you would rather stop at your rented accommodation and cook for your self you can buy local produce in many of the small shops around the Isle of Mull and at the local producers markets that are held around the Island over summer. If its a tipple you are after here on the Isle of Mull we have micro brewery brewing mulls own beer and a whiskey Distillery where you can visit and see Isle of Mull whiskey being distilled, then we have an array of pubs, bars, hotels and cafés along with restaurants where you can taste the local products. Our wild life here on mull is plentiful but if you would like help in finding it or just putting a name to it there are lots of people here on Mull that can help you make the most of your holiday. If all you want from your holiday here on the Isle of Mull is to relax and get away from it all then you can do that as well. Many a person has come to Mull with a poetic side to write and Mull has inspired many from Mendelssohn to the band  Elbow to write fantastic music poems and story. If its a photo to a painting that you need inspiration for then you will be in the right place here on Mull. Well I did say I would not go on for so long , but when I get going on how much the Isle of Mull has to offer a holiday maker make the memories that will last a life time, how long is too long. So start your journey now and book your accommodation try www.hartofmull.co.uk  or www.isleofmullaccommodation.co.uk  and ferry with www.calmac.co.uk . Many thanks for reading my blog and I hope we have made you decide to make the Isle of Mull your next holiday destination.

Self Catering Winter Breaks on the Isle of Mull

Self  Catering Winter Breaks on the Isle of Mull. Here on Mull winter is a special time. The summer visitors leave the island a quiet calm comes over us. Mull is never over crowded as we are limited by the ferry’s, but in winter it becomes a magical place. If you decide on a Self Catering Winter Breaks on the Isle of Mull, you get to see the fantastic beaches mostly all to your self,  The roads have very few cars and all the wild life even seems to be relaxed. And you may also get the chance to see Aurora and the many stars. You will notice we have very few street lights on Mull so little or no  light pollution on the island. We also have a few spectacular water falls, and plenty of fantastic views. We are here to help you book your Self Catering Winter Breaks on the Isle of Mull.

Here at www.hartofmull.co.uk you can sit on the covered decking. where you can  enjoy the many garden birds visiting the trees surrounding the cabins, and by night see owls and bats fly around by moon light. In the evening you can enjoy the milky way and many stars or just sit out and enjoy the fresh air and relax. Many of our visitors have said they have never slept so well as they have while here, with the fresh winter air a nice walk, Or just  relax in the log heated barrel sauna  for a relaxing time. We are open all year so if you fancy a short  Self Catering Winter Breaks on the Isle of Mull or a  Spring Summer or Autumn one please contact us here at www.hartofmull.co.uk we are always glad to hear from you.

If you decide you would like a Self Catering Winter Breaks on the Isle of Mull, then we have three cabins for you to choose from.  Our log cabin 1, cabin 2 or camping cabin. Both Cabin 1 and 2 can sleep up to 4 people with a double room a twin room and either can be booked with the sole use of our log heated  barrel sauna, Subject to availability 

Our Log Cabin 1 has a bath and shower while  cabin 2 has just a shower. both cabins have a fitted kitchen with all you will need to cater for your self. If you do not want to cook there is a hotel just a 5 minute walk in to the village with a public bar and bar meals and is open all year. Salen also has a very good Italian restaurant open April to October.

Our third cabin is very different from the other cabins we have. It consists of  two cabins one of which is the living/sleeping area with log stove for heating and cooking,  the other cabin is the Sauna for bathing. There is also a composting toilet and a fire pit for out side cooking and siting around the camp fire. the cabin sleeps two adults on a double sofa bed and can also accommodate two children on camp beds. Please note our camping cabin has no electricity and is heated by a stove and candles for light. So it is a true relaxing get away from mod cons.

Please ask for prices  for a Self Catering Winter Breaks on the Isle of Mull. Want a short break, We can offer from 1 night in the camping cabin all year round and three nights in cabin 1 and 2 over the winter months but only full weeks in the main the season .

Isle of Mull Accommodation

 Isle of Mull Accommodation can be as varied as Mull its self.  From Grand Hotels and  Large Houses to wild camping. We like to think our Log cabins are some where in the middle, and give the best of both worlds. Our Cabins have  privacy and the feeling of being hidden away in a forest. Surrounded by trees yet only a 5 minute walk in to the village.

Salen Bay

We hope you choose www.hartofmull.co.uk as Your Isle of Mull Accommodation. We find being in Salen you are central to the whole island. Have  easy access to the North, South, East and West you could say all roads lead to Salen

Mull Eagle Watch

Around Mull

So why choose Hart of mull for your Isle of Mull Accommodation?  Its not just  about location location location. You want a comfy cosy and clean place to come back to at the end of a long day.   You can now add our log heated barrel sauna to laze about in to Cabin 1 or 2 Subject to availability. All our cabins have a BBQ and covered veranda, so what ever the weather is doing you can have shade and shelter while just relaxing your day away.

Sauna

lomalle skotlantin

Do you like watching birds and butterflies?  Well because of the trees and wild flowers that are around the cabins we attract many, including Swallows. We like to watch the Swallows as they build their nests under the  overhang on the veranda.  They are a joy to sit and watch as they busy themselves  building their nest and having their young, to seeing the babies take their first flight. Plenty of photo opportunities.

flowers

Isle of Mull Accommodation

 Since we built cabin 1 in 2006 and cabin 2 in 2009,  we have been planting trees and shrubs around both cabins and are now seeing the benefits.

Sun Rise

Isle of Mull Driest in UK

fantastic sun sets on Isle of Mull

I was looking at Google maps and looked at how  the cabins looked to be set just in a field and could not believe the difference we have made to the area with all the planting, how in less than 10 years it has changed.

cabin 1 Isle of Mull Accommodation

the cabin is hidden now by the trees.

Northern lights or Aurora Borealis

Hope you enjoy the gallery of Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis. We had a fantastic time out watching such a spectacular display, and hoping for an other very soon. Where to go to observe the aurora: Because the aurora is trapped on the magnetic field lines, it is most often seen near the north and south poles of Earth. Because of the structure of the magnetosphere, and the primary acceleration processes in the tail part of the magnetosphere (away from the sun), aurora form a ring or oval around each of the poles of Earth and are brightest and most dramatic near midnight. The auroral ovals are not centered on the geographic pole but are centered on the magnetic pole of Earth. On nights where there is little geomagnetic activity and the aurora is quiet, it stays further poleward. But when activity picks up, it becomes brighter and the auroral oval expands towards the equator. During very large events, it is possible to see the aurora in the continental US. and is often seen here on Mull, but not always as spectacular as last night

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Aurora

 Aurora or Northern Lights Last night Feb 27th 2014 was just Amazing.

Words just can not describe the feeling of seeing such a beautiful natural phenomenon, and out side your own house.

The night started off as normal sitting down to watch TV when our Daughter spotted on www.aurora-service.eu/aurora-forecast/ and  http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/ovation/ that the aurora was to be good, and as it was a clear night things where looking good.

So off she went with camera in Hand to see if she might get something. The images will stay with me for a life time it was just fantastic.  All the images on this blog are taken around our cabins here at Hart of Mull Log Cabins.

I was so glad I ventured out in to the cold. If you ever get the chance to visit Mull or anywhere in the world that has no or little light pollution check the links above to see if there is the chance to see Northern Lights . I think If more street light are turned off more people would see the fantastic displays of Northern lights as its light pollution stopping most from seeing them.  

Although aurora can not be guarantied on a visit to Mull as they are a natural  phenomenon, the Western Isles of Scotland gets more than its fair share of displays and the ones last night were particularly good.   

I would like to thank Amy Mellor for taking all these fantastic photos, and I hope you enjoy looking at the photos of the Aurora or Northern Lights. If you would like to leave a comment below please do so.

Visitor reviews Isle of Mull

Welcome to our Visitor reviews Isle of Mull. I hope you find Our Guests comments useful, Not only for our Cabins but for places to visit when you are here on your Holiday. We have many comments in our Visitor books from both cabin 1 & 2 these are a few from Cabin 2 Visitor reviews Isle of Mull.

Cabin 2 was first let in 2009 and our first guests Linda and Paul left this comment : Cabin cosy and warm as promised. Mull is magnificent. Highlights the magical puffins – not to be missed. After this first comment in our Visitor reviews Isle of Mull the guests all followed with good comment here are a few.

* Cabin is cheerful, cosy and comfortable -good for chilling out. Would love to come back.

*Amazing holiday, loved the cabin, Can not wait to come back! Recommend a trip to Tobermory Harbour and be patient and you will see the otter -jaw droppingly good fun!!

*Cabin a real treat, Mull is great.

*loved the cabin! Mull is Beautiful. trip to Staffa amazing- go with www.turusmara.com. Beaches at Calgary bay and Iona are Beautiful. We saw Sea eagles while cycling in Glen Frisa. Food at Café Fish in Tobermory is superb.

* Cabin cute, cosy and warm what ever the weather. Came for the wildlife and haven’t been disappointed: the puffins of Lunga & Staffa , the Eagles, Otters, Seals, etc.. etc..

*We have had a wonderful time in your log cabin and on this beautiful Island of Mull. Thank you very much.

*Cabin is Fantastic! Immaculate and well looked after. Mull is great place to visit and we’ll tell our friends all about it! Hope to come back soon.

* Delightful cabin, very comfortable, peaceful surroundings. Very hospitable community. plenty of activities.

* Thank you for the log cabin-it is really super, warm & cosy. We have done 300 miles this week – includes very late breakfast-we saw deer (male & female) eagles, seals, and a wild cat by the Aros river. Our daughter caught her first fish and enjoyed horse riding and Calgary beach.

* Magical Mull. Never been before-but will be back. Log Cabin lovely, Island is too. Done some Great walks, been on boat trips from Fionnphort and saw Minke Whale, grey seals and porpoises The Gardens at Torosay are lovely and Duart castle is worth seeing as well. Fantastic Holiday

* we have children leave comments as well.

From the first comment in the visitor reviews Isle of Mull to the Last from Ash and Sophie: lovely warm lodge in a great central location to explore Mull. We liked the location/setting of the lodge.

Thank you for reading my blog please feel free leave a comment below or contact us via the contact form opposite we would love to hear from you. You can also like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/hartofmulllogcabins 

Other useful links :- www.facebook.com/campingcabin

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Mull and Iona

Mull and Iona a truly magical place to relax and unwind. Mull the ancient Malios of Ptolemy is the third largest of the Hebridean Islands. In total we have 225,000 acres, some say its about 24 miles from north to south and 26 miles from east to west and at one point only 2 miles, and  with 300 miles of coast line and only about 140 miles of roads  you can see that there is a lot of coast line unspoilt and quiet to explore.

Mull and Iona

If you are lucky enough to visit Mull and Iona a few things you will need. 1 a camera to take photos of all the special moment you will have here 2 a good pair of binoculars and 3 a good map of Mull and Iona with all the walks and tracks, so you can get off the road and in to the heart of Mull to see it at its best. If you are unsure or don’t want to go it alone you can book a guided walking tour with http://www.mullmagic.com

Winter breaks on Mull and Iona

Don’t worry if you are not a walker there are plenty of photo opportunities from the side of the road. With a spectacular view around every corner and plenty of wild life waiting to have its photo taken.

Mull and Iona

Mull and Iona

 Central Mull where we are based is a spectacular region of high jutting mountains and deep glens associated with the volcanic centre at the head of loch Ba. Ben More being the larges at over 3.000ft.Gribun on the south side of loch na Keal, is a specially interesting area for any geologists out there because along the shore and exposed in the lower cliffs there are outcrops of sedimentary rocks some of them have fossils. This unusual formation was exposed through some uplift in the coastal zone during volcanic action.

Mull and Iona

Iona off the bottom of Mull and reached by a small ferry from Fionnphort is some 3 miles long and 1.5 miles wide and 332ft at its highest is well worth a visit while on Mull. Iona the island of St Columba and the Iona Abby has a long history and plenty of traditions.

Mull and Iona

Both Mull and Iona have plenty to see and do, from ruined castles like Aros  Castle, overlooking Aros bay near Salen to Glengorm Castle,  a Private residence  and  B & B 5 miles from Tobermory. The Islands of Ulva  or Staffa can be got to by small boats and tour guides and local ferry’s . We have Trout and Salmon fishing, sea angling, Golf, Pony trekking,  Bird Watching, Clay pigeon shoots, Yachting, Walking, and many more. The tourist information centre can help on 01680 812377. If you have liked what you have read and would like to visit mull please check out www.hartofmull.co.uk  or our availability page https://hartofmull.co.uk/availability-for-self-catering-on-the-isle-of-mull-2014/ More information can be found in the tour guide by P.A. Macnab  Mull and Iona the perfect tour guide for visiting Mull and Iona.