Rubha nan Gall – a Lighthouse Walk and a Pint by the Fire
About 2.7 miles on foot.
A woodland path runs north from Tobermory's pier above the Sound of Mull to Rubha nan Gall, a little white lighthouse on its own rock with views across to Ardnamurchan.
Walk out in the afternoon light, then come back along the harbour front to the Mishnish, the yellow pub on Main Street, for a pint or a dram by the fire. Dogs are welcome on the path and in the bar.
- Time
- About an hour and a quarter there and back from the clock tower, with time at the lighthouse.
- The path
- An earth woodland path that climbs from the pier and can be muddy; not for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
- Where to start
- The council's Ledaig car park at the south end of Tobermory, free (165 spaces); the path starts on foot from the CalMac pier.
- When to go
- The path is open ground with no gate; walk it in daylight. The Mishnish bar opens every day from 11am.
- Dogs
- On the path; keep them off the rocks by the lighthouse.
- Children
- An easy path for walking children; keep hold of them on the rocks and the bridge.
- Toilets
- None on the path.
- Before you set out
- The woods are unlit; the sun sets before 5pm from late October and before 4pm in December.
The walk
From the clock tower it's about 40 minutes' walk to the lighthouse: north along Main Street to the CalMac pier and the lifeboat station, then up the path that climbs into the woods on the left. If you come by car, park in the council's free Ledaig car park at the south end of the town.
The path runs through the trees above the shore and opens out to views across the Sound to Ardnamurchan; it can be muddy in places. Thomas and David Stevenson built the lighthouse in 1857, on a rock joined to the shore by a little bridge.
The woods are unlit, so allow an hour and a quarter of daylight for the walk there and back: the sun sets before 5pm from late October, and before 4pm in December. There are no toilets on the way.
If it rains
In heavy rain the woodland path gets muddy and the view across the Sound disappears: go straight to the fire in the Mishnish instead.
Afterwards
35 min on foot
The Mishnish
A drink
The Mishnish, the yellow pub on the harbour front, is about 35 minutes' walk back along the path and Main Street. The bar is full of old photographs and snugs, with a fire to sit by, a good run of malts and live music on many nights. It opens every day from 11am until late, with bar lunches from 12 to 3pm and suppers from 5 to 9pm, and it takes no bookings, so just turn up. Dogs are welcome in the bar. If it's full, MacGochans, about 7 minutes' walk south at the far end of Main Street, serves food every day until 9pm.
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.
Where to eat
Café Fish, a restaurant.
The Galleon, a restaurant.