THE SIGHT OF MULL


A final project which has arisen from the old maps I came across is a retrospective of the 2017 trip to the Scottish Highlands. Part of the trip involved a ferry journey from the base at Oban to the Isle of Mull and a stop at Tobermory. It was a lovely clear spring day and visibility was excellent and as we left Oban harbour to navigate between the rocks and the islets, I noticed several lighthouses and markers. As I have always loved the romantic concept of a lighthouse, I was busily snapping away at anything and everything visible from the boat.
Immediately we left Oban harbour, we sailed past Maiden Island, a small rocky outcrop, which is now a haven for seabirds. Sat in the estuary I was taken by its similarity to Tracy Island from Thunderbirds TV series!
On the opposite bank I spotted a tall pole, standing out near the rocks. A check on a modern map reveals it to be Kerrera Lighthouse. Not far away on the same channel is a white lookout post too.


Leaving the main channel and passing between Mull and Lismore Island, the ferry passed Musdile Island, a small spur of land projecting from the end of Lismore. This is the home of another, more substantial lighthouse complex.

Further out again is Lady's Rock, which has yet another remote lighthouse, but presumably an unmanned one.


Across the channel, can be seen Duarts Point and the castle perched on the promontory. Back along the coast sits Black's Memorial Lighthouse too.

On the coastal path just outside Oban itself is a small lighthouse and as evening descends on the bay, the lights can be seen from miles.
The whole area is a beautiful highland landscape, with wooded hills and snow capped mountains. The ferry trip winding its way amongst the islands and promontories is especially pretty and as the boat reaches the Sound of Mull and the crystal clear sea air fills the lungs, it becomes a very memorable journey indeed.


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