THE HOLGATE SCHOOL
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION 

'VIRTUAL VISITS'

ISLAND OF MULL, IN SCOTLAND

Mull is an island to the west of Scotland. It is one island in what is known as the Inner Hebrides. The island is quite remote, and difficult to get to. The scenery around Mull is both spectacular and beautiful.  There are mountains in the interior which have been shaped by rivers and ice, and around the coast the sea has created cliffs and beaches.  These pictures were taken when staff and students from the Department explored the island in 1990 and 1992.

1.

In this view we see the mountainous interior of Mull.  The resistant volcanic rocks have been carved by glaciers which were formed here during the ice age.  When they melted they left a barren landscape with jagged cliffs and ridges in some places and peat covered slopes in others.  The mountainous interior of Mull makes it difficult to cross the island.

2.

The south coast of Mull is fringed by high cliffs (reaching 300m high in places).  Until the 1820s there were 10,000 people living on Mull, now there are only 2,500.  Most left during the 1850s.  Rural depopulation has left ruined villages (like this one) all over Mull.  Today, most of Mull is uninhabited.  Why did all those people leave ?

3.

The sea has shaped the coastline in a spectacular fashion.  High energy waves from the Atlantic Ocean have created beautiful sandy beaches, separated by rocky cliffs.  Notice that Mull is surrounded by other, smaller, islands.

4.

Before the ice age, sea level was 7m higher than it is now.  As the ice formed the sea level fell, and it has still not risen back to the old levels - global warming may change that !!  The beaches and cliffs from the old sea-level are now 'raised' above the present level.  This is the cottage where we lived in 1990 and 1992.  It is built on the 'raised beach', and behind it are 'abandoned cliffs'. 

5.

As the sea level fell during the ice age large peat bogs formed on the land which was exposed.  This peat was the fuel supply for generations of  islanders.  It was cut and burnt on the fires and in stoves, instead of wood or coal.  The hills in the background would have been islands once.

6.

The resistant volcanic and metamorphic rocks which make up the island have been used for building.  Until recently there were numerous quarries along the cliffs, like this one.  As the stone was quarried it was loaded straight onto boats, and exported.

7.

Access to Mull from the mainland and to the other island is either by ferry or light aircraft. Most visitors and all goods needed by the islanders must be brought in by sea.  This is one of the small ferries which links the outer islands.  The main ferry to Mull is a large ship which goes to the port of Oban on the mainland - a journey of several hours.  

8.

The weather in Mull is usually mild, but they do get snow in winter, particularly over the mountains.  This view is on Ben More (966m high) in early May.  Summers are cool and wet, with the winds blowing from the Atlantic Ocean.  The spectacular scenery attracts tourists, who are a vital part of the island economy.