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Lip na Cloiche's garden in flower, a small white greenhouse among dense beds of plants.
Isle of Mull

Lip na Cloiche Garden

A small, densely planted garden by the shore at Ulva Ferry, open all year, dawn to dusk, for a donation.

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Welcome

Lip na Cloiche is a small, densely planted garden near the shore at Ulva Ferry on the west coast of Mull, with views over Loch Tuath to the island of Ulva.

It is a private home, but the garden is open to visitors all year, from dawn to dusk, and there is no admission charge, though a donation is appreciated.

It is the place to see which plants thrive in the island's mild climate: many of them are for sale throughout the year, along with fresh eggs and crafts made from things found locally. The garden has been featured on the cover of Jackie Bennett's book Island Gardens and in Country Life. Once a year there is a special charity opening, with teas. Eas Fors, the triple waterfall, and the ferry to Ulva are both a short drive away.

A short drive awayCroft 3A restaurant and oyster bar on a working croft at Fanmore, cooking what grows around it at communal tables.2 min by roadSee itThe pale timber building of Croft 3 on the croft, the sea and hills behind.
Before you go

Open all year, dawn to dusk.

There is no admission charge, but a donation is appreciated. Plants, eggs and crafts are on sale.

Getting there
CalMac ferry: Oban to Craignure (50 minutes), Lochaline to Fishnish, or Kilchoan to Tobermory.
Open
All year, dawn to dusk.
Entry
Free; donations welcome.
Where it is

Lip na Cloiche, Ulva Ferry, Isle of Mull, PA73 6LU.

Close byAt Ulva Ferry.
  1. Waterfall dropping to a seaweed-covered shoreline beneath misty hillsEas Fors WaterfallThree waterfalls by the road north of Ulva Ferry, the last plunging a hundred feet over a cliff into the sea.1 mile2 min by road
  2. Sheila's Cottage on Ulva, a restored thatched croft house of stone among ferns.Isle of UlvaA community-owned island a two-minute ferry ride off Mull's west coast, with no cars, home cooking at the Boathouse and woodland walks.3 miles8 min by road
  3. The white Boathouse on Ulva under a pink sunset sky, dark pines behind.The BoathouseA seafood restaurant by the jetty on the Isle of Ulva, a two-minute ferry from Mull, with no bookings.3 miles8 min by road
  4. The Boathouse on Ulva across the sound, white on the rocky shore with a Saltire flying.Ulva Ferry PortThe jetty on Mull's west coast where the foot ferry crosses to Ulva, with a pontoon and parking by the road.3 miles8 min by road
  5. The Boathouse and the slipway on Ulva across the sound, white cottages under trees.Ulva Farm WalkThe shortest waymarked walk on Ulva, 3.75km round the farm, Ulva House, the walled garden and Telford's church.3 miles8 min by road
Directions
The pale timber building of Croft 3 on the croft, the sea and hills behind.RestaurantsCroft 31.0 miles
The white Boathouse by the landing on Ulva, people at picnic tables in the sun.AttractionsIsle of Ulva3.4 miles
AttractionsLoch na Keal road5.8 miles
Close-up of a puffin's face, showing red-rimmed eye and orange beak markingsToursIsle of Lunga7.6 miles
Puffin with a coloured leg ring standing on a lichen-covered rockAttractionsTreshnish Isles7.6 miles
Inside Am Birlinn: tables under a high timber ceiling, big windows onto the trees.RestaurantsAm Birlinn8.1 miles
Riders on horseback cross a shallow, seaweed-covered shoreline under stormy skiesAttractionsPony Trekking8.7 miles
AttractionsLoch Torr Wildlife Hide9.3 miles
AttractionsCalgary Bay9.4 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the garden, and when each is next free.

The house's gabled wing with a decked terrace and two chairs, solar panels along the roof, seen across a grassy slope.Borradill House
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Glenborrodale
  • 16 miles from Lip na Cloiche
Free 15–17 NovBorradill Cottage, ArdnamurchanBorradill Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In the Isle of Mull
  • 16 miles from Lip na Cloiche
Free 29 Nov – 1 DecA landscape view of the whitewashed cottage in low evening sun, its blue doors, lit lamps and teak chairs, smoke rising from the chimney.Fern Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Croggan
  • 20 miles from Lip na Cloiche
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay on MullAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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