Hebridean Whale Centre – Whales, Dolphins and Lunch by the Bay
A few hours.
The route
The seas round Mull are home to whales and dolphins, and the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust keeps its visitor centre on Tobermory's painted harbour front.
It's small and hands-on, with a great wall map of the whales of the west coast, and staff who will tell you what's been seen in local waters lately. Then it's 5 minutes back along the harbour to MacGochans for lunch, where children and dogs are made welcome.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Borradill House in Glenborrodale, 8 miles away. Sleeps 6; next free Sun 15 Nov to Tue 17 Nov.
Then Borradill Cottage, 8 miles away. Sleeps 4; next free Sun 29 Nov to Tue 1 Dec.
The day
Tobermory
A short morning on Tobermory's harbour front, all on foot once the car is parked: whales and dolphins first, then a family lunch by the water.
About two hoursAbout 0.5 miles on foot
Hebridean Whale Centre
An attraction
Park in the council's free Ledaig car park at the south end of Main Street, then walk 4 minutes along the harbour front to the Hebridean Whale Centre, the trust's shop and visitor centre among the coloured houses. Inside, the exhibitions are full of the whales and dolphins of the local waters and the trust's work to protect them, with a big painted map of the west coast and its whales. Staff are on hand to answer questions, share the latest sightings and teach you how to tell one kind from another, and in summer there's a programme of guided walks and talks. Allow half an hour to an hour. From April to October it opens Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm; for weekends and the winter months, check the trust's page first. Donations to the trust are welcome. There are public toilets in Taigh Solais by the car park.
About 5 min on foot
MacGochans
Lunch
Lunch is at MacGochans, the red pub and restaurant beside the Ledaig car park, with a balcony over the bay. Food is served every day from noon to 9pm all year, with menus for the whole family, from local seafood and Mull beef to soups and sandwiches, and gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan choices. Children and dogs are welcome, and there's no need to book unless you're six or more. If it's full, the Mishnish on Main Street serves bar lunches from noon to 3pm.
If it rains
Both are under a roof, and the walk between is 5 minutes along the harbour front.
The Galleon, a restaurant.
Café Fish, a restaurant.