Tobermory

Tobermory is a the largest Town on the Isle of Mull. A large Ferry runs between Oban on the mainland and Craignure on Mull, 21 miles south of Tobermory. A small ferry runs between Tobermory and the small village of Kilchoan on the mainland, 52 miles west of Fort William.

Tobermory is popular for its Museum, Whisky Distillery, Boat Trips, hand made Chocolate, and to visit the places used in the Children's TV show Balamory.

The Mull Music Festival normally takes place in late April.

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The image top right is looking over Tobermory Bay.

The second and third images are looking east across to Tobermory Waterfront. The sun lights up the south facing Colourful Buildings all day with a High Tide the best time for Photos or Paintings.

Most of the buildings were built from the early 1800s, painted bright colours in the 1960s to attract more visitors.

The Harbour Pier is in the centre of the main street where a few Fishing Boats land their Catches. There is a Fish Bar at the Harbour popular for Fresh Cooked Fish.

The Clock Tower is at the Pier and small sandy Beach next to the Tower.

By the Tower is the Mull Museum giving information on the Island, Emigration, and Hunts for Treasure believed to be on a sunken Spanish Ship in Tobermory Bay.

The Mishnish Hotel is at the far end of the Main Street with a popular Bar / Diner and Entertainment some nights.

A small Car / Passenger Ferry runs from the Slip at the east end of the Main Street to the small Village of Kilchoan on the Mainland, 52 miles west of Fort William. The Ferry crossing takes about 30 minutes.

Staffa Tours offer Boat Trips from Tobermory to Staffa for Fingal's Cave, and the Treshnish Isles to view Puffins. More Boat Trips.

Tobermory Distillery is at the west end of the Main Street, with a Shop and Visitor Centre. The Distillery opened in 1798.

The Mull Aquarium was by the Distillery with a range of Sealife from Local Waters that were Released and Replaced every few months, this closed in 2023.

Tobermory History

Before the 500s - Mull was populated with indigenous Iron Age tribes.

500s - Irish Gaelic migrants settled on Mull and Argyle, with them spreading Christianity.

800s - Mull was taken over by the Vikings.

1100s - the MacDougals were in control of Mull, descendants of the Viking named Somerled, with their Aros Castle 8 miles south of Tobermory, and Duart Castle 24 miles south of Tobermory.

1200s? - St Mary's Chapel was built where Tobermory is today, close to a Well with healing powers, with its Gaelic name being Tobar Mhoire, meaning Mary's Well, with the name Tobermory evolving from that time, little remains of the Chapel, can be found in Tobermory Cemetery high up on Dervaig Road.

There is a Granite Drinking Fountain 50 yards west of the Graveyard where the well was situated.

1314 - Clan MacDonald was awarded control of Mull by King Robert the Bruce for their support at the Battle of Bannockburn, the MacDougals had fought against The Bruce.

1390 - Clan MacLean was awarded control of Mull by the MacDonald's, with them related through marriage.

1588 - one of the Ships from the Spanish Armada, trying to flee back to Spain, stopped off at Tobermory for repairs and to pick up Supplies. A dispute with Locals led to the Ships Magazine being ignited and Blowing the Ship to pieces. Some people claim the Ship was carrying a vast amount of Gold Bullion, others claim it was a Troop Ship with No Valuables.

1681 - Clan Campbell took control of many areas of Mull after a series of Battles with Clan MacLean.

1780s - Tobermory grew around Fishing, a time small scale farmers were being removed from the land to make way for large scale Sheep Farming, with the Campbell's being the first to begin the clearances on Mull.

Kelp Harvesting was also a growing business at that time, with the Kelp / Seaweed used for soap, glass, bleach, dye, and paper.

1791 - the Emigrant Ship named the Queen departed Tobermory taking Migrants to Prince Edward Island in Canada, said to be the first to depart from Mull.

1798 - Tobermory Distillery began producing Whisky.

1818 - the first Steam Ships began visiting Tobermory with a regular service between Glasgow and Tobermory soon established.

Before this time, most trade was done on Mull by small coastal Sail Boats.

1828 - Tobermory Parish Church was built on a high point above the Pier with Government funds, this was a time Roads were being built around Mull.

Before this time, Cattle Droving Trails were the main way to travel across the Island.

1879 - Tobermory Free Church was built at the Pier so people could worship free of Government interference.

1896 - Tobermory Golf Club was founded.

1897 - Tobermory Parish Church was rebuilt to what can be seen today.

1905 - the Clock Tower was built at Tobermory Pier in memory of Henrietta Amelia Bird, who died of typhoid in Tobermory in 1880, her sister, the famous explorer, Isabella Bird, paid for the Clock Tower to be built.

1910 - the United Free Church was built next to the Free Church, a time Scotland Churches began merging again.

1930s? - the first Cars began running in Tobermory.

1940s - Tobermory was used as a Royal Navy Training Base named HMS Western Isles. The Base was commanded by Vice-Admiral Sir Gilbert Stephenson, known as the Terror of Tobermory.

1961 - the Mishnish Hotel was painted Pink to attract more customers, later changed to Yellow, with many other businesses soon painting their buildings as well.

1964 - Car Ferries began running between Oban and Craignure 21 miles south of Tobermory.

1969 - the first Tour of Mull Rally began with the cars setting off and finishing at Tobermory.

1973 - the small Our Lady, Star of the Sea Catholic Church was built close to the Parish Church high above the Pier.

1974 - regular passenger ships stopped visiting Tobermory as most people by then were using the Car Ferries.

1991 - small Car Ferries began running between Tobermory and Kilchoan on the Mainland.

1994 - the United Free Church was converted to an Evangelical Church.

2002 - 2005 - the Children's TV show Balamory was set at Tobermory. The Town still attracts many Visitors wanting to view the Buildings from the TV show.

2015 - the Mull Aquarium was opened at the west end of Tobermory Harbour.

2023 - the Mull Aquarium closed as it hit financial difficulties when being re-built, the area is now shops.