Self Catering
The self catering cottage actually has two living rooms and each has a porch looking out over the hill to the south and Loch Scridain to the North. Click the picture for more interior shots.
Beach is ideal for enthusiasts of self-catering accommodation wishing to stay on Mull. Situated on a hillside with uninterrupted views across Loch Scridain to the 3,000-foot Ben More mountain – the tallest on the island – deer are frequently spotted below the house. The shoreline boasts a family of otters, with seals and even the occasional sea eagle being spotted high above rising on the summer thermals around Mull.
THE HOUSE
A view from Beach looking down to Loch Scridain
Within Pennyghael estate, Beach is a converted farmhouse with eight acres of grounds and offers every comfort for a relaxing family or group holiday with a self-catering focus. The small porch on the front of the house is perfect for an evening drink without venturing outside but still taking in the breathtaking views and impressive scenery as the sun sets at sea. In the past, the old gardens supplied fresh flowers to Iona Abbey, with seven monks tending the grounds and, although not reinstated to their former glory, many colourful flowers and plants can still be found in the enclosed garden, which is deer-fenced.
The immediate area offers many interesting walks to ruined villages, shoreline and waterfalls. With sandy beaches just a short drive away, excellent loch fishing (by permit) or just fishing off the rocks, and Loch Scridain for canoeing, there is plenty to do for young or old nearby.
THE ISLAND
The rest of the island has much to offer. The largest town on Mull is Tobermory, more recently made famous by the children’s programme “Balamory”. Here you will find restaurants, deli/bakery, pottery, chocolate shop, distillery, supermarket and much more. Across Mull are other enjoyable eateries offering a range of food choices. Nearby in Bunessan there are two shops as well as a hotel and high street restaurant. Fionnphort is where you can catch a ferry on frequent crossings to the Island of Iona and the Keel Row pub back on Mull has a good choice of bar or restaurant service. Iona also sports a number of good eateries. As well as a number of places to eat, Craignure now offers a swimming pool, the first on the Island and a great resource for letting kids expend some energy whilst the parents get pampered.
Beach isn't so much a sandy strip of coastline as a Gaelic name pronounced 'bee-ack', meaning 'Bee'.
The ferry for day trips to the Isle of Iona, with its famous restored Abbey, white beaches and historic marble quarry, is just a 20-minute drive away. In spring, the island is covered in flowers and, in summer, a late ferry will bring you back, perhaps after eating in the wonderful island restaurant having spent the day walking all round the island and enjoying the beautiful sea views.
FERRY
Mull is accessed by ferry from three points – Oban / Craignure, Lochaline / Fishnish and Kilchoan / Tobermory. All ferries are operated by Caledonian MacBrayne, or Calmac for short, www.calmac.co.uk and prior booking for cars is essential during the busy holiday season.
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