Why You Need To Visit Lochbuie On The Isle of Mull!

There are a lot of busy places on the Isle of Mull, it’s an island with plenty to offer! But if you want to avoid the crowds, stretch your legs and see the quieter side of Mull, you need to visit Lochbuie!

It’s one of my favourite places anywhere in Scotland, where you can find a castle, stone circle, incredible beaches, great food and some epic stories! The journey there is a beautiful one, well away from the tour buses, but not for the faint of heart. Trust me, it’s well worth the extra effort…

If you’re looking for the quieter, wilder side of Mull, here are the best things to do in Lochbuie.

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How To Get To Lochbuie

Before you worry about getting to Lochbuie, you’re going to have to get to the Isle of Mull! There are three ferry options, all run by Calmac, and the most common by far is to arrive from Oban. It’s a big vessel, driving on is really easy and the journey takes less than an hour. Booking a spot in advance is absolutely essential though!

Once you’re on the island, it’s a beautiful drive down to Lochbuie, skirting stunning lochs and through dark, tree-lined tracks. It’ll take around 40 minutes from Craignure or an hour from Tobermory and you’re going to need a car. Here’s the best place to find car hire in Scotland and if you’re nervous, this article on how to drive in Scotland will help!

If you’re visiting Lochbuie during a trip based around Oban, download a copy of this Oban Itinerary & Planning Guide to make the most of your trip. It’s packed with advice, itineraries and other islands you can explore from that West Coast base!

Admire Moy Castle

A short walk along an easy path will take you to one of the highlights of any trip to Lochbuie. This was home to Clan MacLaine and in my opinion, they got one of the most beautiful parts of the island! The tower was built in the mid 1400s, right beside the perfect bay for a fleet of warships.

You can’t get inside the castle at the moment, but you can still admire it from the outside and it looks particularly good with the wee burn flowing into the sea.

While you need your imagination to wonder what life was once like there, it’s still a place of stories. One of the most bizarre tales took place not long after its construction in the 15^th century. The chief of the time, Iain the Toothless, faced a rebellion from his son – Ewen of the Little Head.

During the battle that followed, Ewen ended up losing his little head as he charged around the field. His horse kept on galloping before his body eventually slumped off beside the road. It’s said that the headless horseman can still be seen riding around Mull when a member of the MacLaines is due to die!

Stretch Your Legs On The Beach

Carry on walking along the path from Moy Castle and in a minute or two you’ll come across an incredible bay. Surrounded by green hills, the golden sand stretches away while the waves quietly lap. It’s a serene scene and would have been a perfect place for us to sunbathe if the Hairy Coos hadn’t already reserved the beach…

I’ve been back plenty of times and the cows aren’t always there, so this is a great place for a paddle. The Isle of Mull has plenty of great beaches but this is both one of the most beautiful and the quietest. Don’t blame me if the water is freezing cold though, consider this a warning!

Walk To The MacLaine Mausoleum

It’s not easy to see, hidden in a copse of trees, but if you keep walking then you will eventually reach the MacLaine Mausoleum. This involves crossing a field that is often full of sheep, so just make extra sure to close all gates. As you enter the low wall, you get a sudden feeling that this is a truly ancient place.

Centuries ago, this was the local chapel, but has since been transformed into a small mausoleum for the MacLaines of Lochbuie. Inside, not only will you find elaborate tombstones dating back to the 1700s, but colourful stars set into the slate roof to create bright beams of light inside. I’ve been in a lot of old churches and mausoleums, but that was a first!

I don’t always have the time or energy to walk here when I visit Lochbuie, but it’s a joy every time I do. This is one of Mull’s true hidden gems and you’ll rarely spot another person. The views back over the bay to Ben Buie are sublime too, so just take a moment and enjoy the quiet.

Walk to Lochbuie Stone Circle

Either take a detour as you walk back or you can actually park in a designated area for the Lochbuie Stone Circle. There are hundreds of groups of standing stones around Scotland but not many are in as perfect a circle as this!

Follow the white stones across an often-boggy field and you’ll soon reach these ancient monoliths. They aren’t particularly tall, but they’re perfectly formed and still impressive after thousands of years.

Nobody knows for sure what the stones were used for, maybe a ritual site, way of tracking the seasons or even just a grand gathering place. While there are standing stones all around Scotland, not many are in as spectacular a spot as this, with Ben Buie rising in the distance.

One important thing to note is that the field is VERY boggy. You might not want to bring a pair of wellies for the trip, so invest in the boot covers that I’m wearing in the picture below. Be careful since they naturally don’t have as good a grip as hiking boots, but they’ve been a lifesaver for my trips around Scotland.

Grab a pair through this link!

Should You HikeBen Buie?

Almost everywhere you go around Lochbuie, you can’t miss the almost perfectly pyramidical peak looming above. Ben Buie is beautiful hill and at 717 metres, it’s one of the highest on the Isle of Mull. Hikers may naturally want to get to the top and admire the views around the island, but that’s easier said than done.

Now, I’ll be honest, I’ve never hiked Ben Buie, but I have looked it up more than once. There’s no easy way to get to the top, no official route and no well-made track. That doesn’t mean you can’t do it, but it does mean it’ll be tough going on steep, rugged terrain. This walk report might help if you plan on it!

Eat At The Old Post Office

Make sure that you time your visit to Lochbuie to fit in with lunch, because you don’t want to miss the chance to eat at The Old Post Office! There’s a real abundance of great food and drink around Mull, but this is one of my top favourite places. It’s not huge, so if you want a table inside, then you’ll need to be quick or just be happy to wander nearby until one opens up.

If the local smoked fish salad is on the menu then I’ll go for that, although there’s always something incredible on offer. Even if you’re not looking for lunch, the coffee is delicious and the cakes spectacular, with very friendly service. You can even pick up some local produce for later as well.

As a side note, if you happen to spot an elderly pony wandering around then let them know. It sometimes wanders to the Post Office to get a snack and needs escorted back home…

Wildlife Watching Along the Shore

Lochbuie is superb for wildlife precisely because it is so peaceful. Take a seat on one of the benches and settle down with some binoculars or just good eyesight and you’re bound to spot something!

I’ve spotted otters hunting for their supper around seaweed covered rocks and white-tailed sea eagles soaring high above. There’s no shortage of sea creatures around Mull’s shores, so you may well spot a seal or if you’re really lucky then dolphins or even whales!

As well as the domesticated cows, it’s not unusual to see deer running around. This is the only place I know in Scotland where it’s common to spot Fallow Deer – they’ve got small, flattened antlers like tiny moose! If you walk down towards the Mausoleum then there’s a good chance you’ll see, and hear, wild goats too!

Walk the Lochbuie Explorer

Take your time when you visit Lochbuie, it’s not somewhere to rush. I like to follow the Lochbuie Explorer Trail which takes in lots of the locations listed above. Expect it to take around two hours without stopping, but I guarantee you’ll find a reason to make it last a good bit longer.

It’s a rewarding part of Mull for those looking to step away from the tourist trail and put in a little effort. You won’t find hustle and bustle, you find an abundance of attractions, but you will find real, authentic Scottish island life.

Where To Stay In Lochbuie

There aren’t many options for places to stay in Lochbuie itself, so you’ll need to be quick if you want to book a spot! The only cottages to rent are available through the estate itself – enquire here!

I usually stay elsewhere on the island and treat this as the perfect daytrip, so here are my suggestions:

Harbour View – Sitting in the higher part of Tobermory, the views from this B&B are incredible and the beds comfortable – I can vouch for that personally!

Western Isles Hotel – Awarded Island Hotel of the Year, the Western Isles is an iconic hotel high on the cliff above Tobermory.

Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa – For some luxury near the main ferry at Craignure, look no further!

Old School – Salen – Somewhere a little more central, stay in an apartment in the Old School at Salen.

Ready To Visit Lochbuie?

Hopefully you’re now convinced by these things to do in Lochbuie. It’s somewhere I’ll never stop recommending to people who want advice about exploring Mull. If you don’t feel confident driving or want to visit Mull as part of a bespoke private tour, get in touch here!

For stories to help you plan a trip anywhere in Scotland, you can find them in the Scotland’s Stories book – Pick up a copy here!

Visiting Lochbuie as part of a trip based in Oban? Download this Oban Itinerary & Planning Guide to make sure you don’t miss anything!