Isle of Mull
The Isle of Mull (Scottish Gaelic: An t-Eilean Muileach [əɲ ˈtʲʰelan ˈmuləx]) or just Mull (Scots pronunciation: [mʌl]; Scottish Gaelic: Muile [ˈmulə] ⓘ) is the second-largest island of the Inner Hebrides (after Skye) and lies off the west coast of Scotland in the council area of Argyll and Bute.
| Scottish Gaelic name | Muile |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | [ˈmulə] ⓘ |
| Scots name | Mull |
| Old Norse name | Myl |
| Meaning of name | "Promontory" (crag, projecting ridge between two valleys) |
Tobermory waterfront | |
| Location | |
Isle of Mull Mull shown within Argyll and Bute | |
| OS grid reference | NM590354 |
| Coordinates | 56.45°N 6°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Mull |
| Area | 875.35 km2 (337+31⁄32 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 4 |
| Highest elevation | Ben More, 966 m (3,169 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Argyll and Bute |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 2,990 (2011 Census) |
| Population rank | 8 |
| Population density | 3.2/km2 (8.3/sq mi) |
| Largest settlement | Tobermory |
| References | |
Covering 875.35 square kilometres (337.97 sq mi), Mull is the fourth-largest island in Scotland and Great Britain. From 2001 to 2020, the population has gradually increased: during 2020 it was estimated to be 3,000, in the 2011 census it was about 2,800, and in 2001, it was measured at 2,667 people. It has the eighth largest island population in Scotland. In the summer, these numbers are augmented by an influx of many tourists. Much of the year-round population lives in the colourful main settlement of Tobermory.
There are two distilleries on the island: the Tobermory distillery, formerly named Ledaig, produces single malt Scotch whisky and another, opened in 2019 and located in the vicinity of Tiroran, which produces Whitetail Gin. Mull is host to numerous sports competitions, notably the Highland Games competition, held annually in July. The isle is home to four castles, including the towering castle of Duart and the keep of Moy Castle. On the south coast, a stone circle is located in the settlement of Lochbuie.