Latest news with #Mull
Times
11-06-2025
- Times
All flipper, no flop — the best places to see whales in Scotland
With humpbacks and orcas, minkes and even sperm whales, Scotland is one of the best places to see these majestic creatures this side of a flight to southern California — with basking sharks, porpoises and the world's largest bottlenose dolphins a spectacular bonus. Lisa Drewe, the author of Islandeering, picks out five of her favourite places to see them from land. At the tip of the Eye peninsula, near Stornoway, Tiumpan Head Lighthouse offers front-row views across the Minch. Below it, the strait's deep waters attract whales, dolphins and porpoises, making it one of the UK's best land-based locations for spotting them. Look out for distinctive grey-and-white Risso's dolphins and fin whales, or join the Whale and Dolphin Conservation's Shorewatch team for expert-led sightings. Coll's wild waters are a summer hotspot for basking sharks, the world's second-largest fish; they're often spotted gliding through the shallows with gaping mouths. From the ferry port at Arinagour you can enjoy stunning views over Mull and the Treshnish Isles, while coastal walks reveal harbour porpoises and bottlenose dolphins. Keep watch from the shore or ferry — minke whales and common dolphins thrive around this quiet, wildlife-rich island. On Mull's rugged north coast, the Glengorm estate enjoys sweeping views across the Hebridean Sea, where minke whales, bottlenose dolphins and basking sharks ply the waters. The castle at the estate's heart watches over wonderfully wild landscapes, while the shoreline is a prime spot for marine life. Join the Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust rangers every Thursday for a guided whale watch before warming up in the café, or exploring the coastal trails. • Never mind the Med, I'm longing to be back on Mull Shetland's southernmost point is a prime spot for orca-watching, thanks to the semi-resident orca pods. From the towering cliffs here are panoramic views over seas where minke whales and porpoises also hunt. The lighthouse above has a welcome café, and a base to explore one of the most accessible seabird and puffin colonies in Britain. Expert advice is available from the on-site Whale and Dolphin Conservation Shorewatch team, or check the Shetland Orca & Cetacean Sightings Facebook page. • Sumburgh Head lighthouse review — like stepping into Springwatch The Deerness peninsula, on mainland Orkney's wild eastern edge, is a prime spot to watch dolphins and porpoises. Harbour porpoises are often seen gliding through the waves, while white-beaked, white-sided and Risso's dolphins also patrol these rich waters. Dramatic cliffs offer sweeping views of the North Sea, and there is a fabulous coast walk to the Brough of Deerness, a rocky outcrop that was once home to a Viking settlement. Taken from Islandeering by Lisa Drewe ( £16.99). To order a copy go to Free UK standard P&P on orders over £25. Special discount available for Times+ members
The Herald Scotland
10-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Islanders facing financial ruin over ferry cancellations
In recent years, the route has been plagued by disruption, with Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop holding 'crisis' talks with island business groups earlier this year. The Lord of the Isles – referred to as LOTI by locals - is a 36-year-old vessel which had only returned to the South Uist route in mid-May after it was taken to service other struggling routes. Islanders were given the MV Isle of Mull, the second oldest ship in the fleet, as a replacement – but it was restricted to 45 passengers per trip. In 2023, islanders protested after a month-long cancellation. Karen MacAulay, owner of the Lochboisdale Hotel, told The Herald repeated disruption is leading to a 'debilitating' pressure on locals. Since the ferry was cancelled earlier this week, she has lost at least 10 bookings and will lose more if the ferry is not returned by Friday. 'Trying to run a business here is difficult anyway, so living on the edge is natural,' she told The Herald. 'We've gone from 14 rooms booked out of a total of 15 and it went down to four. We're losing thousands upon thousands of pounds every year. 'It seems that if any ferry breaks down in the fleet, they take the LOTI. The ferry has become so unreliable that people won't book onto it. Read more: 'We haven't got a replacement so for this full week, we're having to phone people. We don't charge for cancellations when it comes to the ferries – if we did, I'd be a millionaire. So we have lost a whole week's worth of work. 'It's mentally debilitating. Year upon year it is just getting worse. Now I am just at the stage where I want to give up. 'We are fighting a losing battle. The crisis is now. We can't afford to pay bills or staff. It's absolutely horrendous. It's taken a mental toll on not just me but everybody in the community. 'We need help but in Lochboisdale they just forget about us.' The Lord of the Isles vessel is one of four ships beyond running beyond the expected operational life, alongside the Isle of Arran, Mull and the Caledonian Isles, while two other vessels – Isle of Lewis and Clansman – are approaching the end of their expected time. Last month, CalMac was awarded a £3.9 billion contract to run the west coast services for the next 10 years. However, Torcuil Crichton, the Labour MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, condemned the decision, warning the firm's 'resilience' was gone. Read more: Speaking to The Herald, he said: 'People are tearing their hair out in frustration. It's affecting confidence on the islands, and its affecting commercial and tourism confidence in the islands. 'On one end hotels are facing large scale losses and on the other end B&Bs face cancellations that can add up to a months mortgage payment, or more. 'It's feeding into people's decision whether to live or leave the island. It's really serious. 'Business owners are eating into their own funds – they're going into debt – in the hope that things will get better. It is an awful situation to be in.' Service information provided to travellers by CalMac said: 'Due to mechanical damage on MV Lord of the Isles that has resulted in water ingress into a void tank, this service has been cancelled.' The vessel is being repaired in Kennacraig, near the Clyde – almost 150 miles away from Lochboisdale. Dependin on the outcome of repairs it could back in operation on Thursday or Friday – but islanders said they have been told it could be out of service for another week. There are no direct replacements, however an island-hopping alternative has been provided on the MV Loch Alainn, sailing from Barra and Eriskay to connect with the MV Isle of Lewis on the Castlebrae service. CalMac and Transport Scotland have been asked for comment.
The Independent
03-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
UK's oldest white-tailed eagle dies aged 32
The UK's oldest wild white-tailed eagle has died in Scotland at the age of 32, RSPB Scotland has announced. The eagle, a female named Frisa, hatched on Mull in 1992 and paired up with her long-term mate Skye in 1997. The pair raised their first chick on the island in 1998, and went on to raise a total of 25 chicks in their 28 years of partnership. Frisa was known to 'millions' thanks to appearances in a number of BBC programmes over the last two decades, beginning with the very first episode of Springwatch in 2005. Her death was announced on the latest episode of the programme on June 2. RSPB ambassador Dave Sexton, who spent 21 of his 36-year RSPB career working with white-tailed eagles on Mull, described Frisa as 'a very special bird who had touched the hearts of millions who saw her both on TV and in the wild'. He added: 'As Frisa got on in years, I dreaded the day I would visit her territory and find her gone. 'Sadly, that day has come and I feel like I've lost a friend. 'But what a wonderful life she had with her mate Skye. Together they raised 25 chicks, many of which are now breeding far and wide across Scotland. 'She was a true icon for white-tailed eagles and she'll always hold a special place in my heart.' RSPB Scotland said Frisa has not been seen since last year, leading experts to believe she has died either of natural causes, or following an altercation with another eagle. Skye has also been spotted with another younger female eagle on Mull, which further suggests that Frisa has passed away as white-tailed eagles mate for life. At 31 years of age, Skye now takes on the mantle as the UK's oldest wild white-tailed eagle. Frisa's mother Blondie successfully raised the very first white-tailed eagle to fledge in Scotland following the reintroduction of the species in 1975. The species previously became extinct in the UK in 1918 when the last known native wild bird was shot in Shetland. A reintroduction project on the Isle of Rum using chicks donated from Norway has since seen the species re-establish a self-sustaining population in Scotland. There are now estimated to be up to 200 pairs of white-tailed eagles in the UK.
BBC News
02-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
UK's oldest wild White-tailed Eagle dies aged 32
The UK's oldest wild White-tailed Eagle has died aged 32, RSPB Scotland has eagle, a female named Frisa, hatched in Mull in 1992, where she spent almost three decades raising chicks, becoming a regular on TV nature was the daughter of Blondie, who successfully raised the first White-tailed Eagle chick to fledge in Scotland following the reintroduction of the species in paired up with her long-time mate Skye in 1997, with the pair raising their first chick in Mull the following year. They went on to raise 25 chicks during 28 years of May 2005, Frisa and Skye made their television debut on the first ever episode of BBC's Springwatch alongside their chicks Itchy and Scratchy – named by the pupils of Dervaig Primary School in the next two decades they made many more appearances on the programme, as well as featuring on Autumnwatch, Winterwatch, Blue Peter, Eagle Island with Gordon Buchanan, Countryfile and The One death was announced on the latest episode of Springwatch on Ambassador Dave Sexton, who spent 21 years working with White-tailed Eagles in Mull, said Frisa had been "a very special bird who had touched the hearts of millions who saw her both on TV and in the wild".He added: "As Frisa got on in years, I dreaded the day I would visit her territory and find her gone."Sadly, that day has come and I feel like I've lost a friend."She was a true icon for White-tailed Eagles and she'll always hold a special place in my heart." Frisa has not been seen since last year, leading experts to believe that died of either natural causes or following an altercation with another has been spotted with another younger female eagle in Mull, which is strong evidence of Frisa's death as White-tailed Eagles usually mate for means that Skye, who hatched in 1994, is now the oldest wild White-tailed Eagle in the UK at species became extinct in the UK in 1918, when the last known native wild bird was shot in a reintroduction project by NatureScot in the Isle of Rum, which began in 1975 using chicks donated from Norway, has seen White-tailed Eagles re-establish a self-sustaining population in are now estimated to be up to 200 pairs in the UK.
Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Kate Middleton and William continue Scottish island tour after spending night in cosy cottage
The Prince and Princess of Wales have kicked off a second day of engagements on the Isle of Mull - after spending the night of their wedding anniversary in a self-catering cottage. Today, the pair, who dressed casually in jeans, are spending a second day on the island with schoolchildren taking part in an outdoor learning session with the rangers in Ardura Community Forest. Ardura is an Atlantic rainforest and one of Scotland 's most precious habitats which has been central to the way of life of generations of Mull families. The couple are joining Ardura Acorns, an early-years outdoor learning play group that takes the children on nature trails, den building and animal tracking. The visit aims to highlight the importance of protecting and championing the natural environment. Afterwards the couple will spend private time on Iona after taking the public ferry from Mull. William and Kate celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary on Mull yesterday and released a romantic image on their social media accounts to mark the moment. The pair were pictured with their arms around each other facing out to sea on the shoreline. The picture was posted on the couple's official social media accounts with a heart emoji and signed with their initials. It said: 'Wonderful to be back on the Isle of Mull. Thank you to everyone for such a warm welcome W & C.' Yesterday, the royal couple were cheered when they arrived on the island for the two-day visit where they showed off their creative and DIY skills by helping to renovate Aros Hall, a community-owned space in the picturesque coastal town of Tobermory. Kate debuted a new hair colouring with her balayage look – chestnut-coloured locks with highlights – and was dressed in a tweed jacket, jeans and hiking boots, with William sporting a similar smart casual look. During the visit, Kate also revealed she has taken up beekeeping and received a chainsaw for Christmas as she immersed herself in nature to recover from cancer. Kate, who has previously told how nature became her family's 'sanctuary' after her diagnosis and during chemotherapy last year, told a local beekeeper how she was "desperate for any tips" for her new hobby. The prince and princess also spoke about their three children, their love of soft play, and how Kate visited the Waitrose cafe with baby Prince George for lack of any local mother and baby groups to take him to then. The couple also went on a meet-and-greet, chatting to dozens of well-wishers and ended their visit to Tobermory by visiting a craft and food market run by Aros Hall and sampled cheese and spirits made by Isle of Mull Cheese. Later, they ended their day cooking a meal of locally sourced produce for residents and schoolchildren at a croft on the west coast of Mull before heading to their self-catering accommodation for the night.
