Wildlife on the Isle of Mull - Island Pods, Isle of Mull Glamping

Home to a plethora of rare, beautiful creatures of land and sea, the Isle of Mull and its surrounding seas is one of Scotland’s premier wildlife destinations.

The island is peppered with communities of red and fallow deer, wild goats, otters and mountain hares. The mountains offer a closer view of the white tailed sea eagle, golden eagle and peregrine falcon, as well as the owls which lend music to the night.

Head to the coastline and out to sea to enjoy puffins, seals, porpoise, dolphins and basking sharks. If you’re on a mission, a professional guide can offer an organised tour of the top spots for rarer species. However, simply meandering the island by car, cycle or foot will bring opportunities to see some very beautiful fellow inhabitants for those who keep curious ears and eyes open.

Otters

Many visitors and locals enjoy seeing otters. Otters are one of the key species that wildlife enthusiasts hope to encounter on Mull, and arguably there isn’t anywhere better to find them. You can read more about Mull’s otters and how to safely spot and photograph them on the Mull Otter Group.

Mull Otter Group

Treshnish Isle Puffins

Tour the nearby Treshnish Isles from Mid April to August to visit the puffin colony based Lunga Island. These comedic little birds have little fear of humans – allowing visitors to settle in beside their nests to watch them go about their daily antics. There are an estimated 4,500 puffins that settle on the Isle of Lunga during peak season as well as guillemots, razor bills and shags.

Marine Wildlife

Mull is home to minke whales, harbour porpoise, seals and a range of dolphin species. Although you can spot dolphins from beaches around the island, the best way to enjoy the marine wildlife is from a boat. There are several tours available from Tobermory and Fionnphort as well as our sister site ‘Hooked on Mull’ where you can curate your own tour with our private boat charter.

Hooked on Mull

Eagles

Here on Mull, you will have the opportunity to see both the White Tailed Sea Eagle and Golden Eagle – often together. The Sea Eagle is bigger by a third, than the Golden Eagle. Your first impression of a Sea Eagle, is of an immense pair of very broad wings. The Golden Eagle has a smaller head and longer tail, which it twists to steer, rather like a Red Kite. You can spot eagles along the banks of Loch Na Keal and along the Gribun cliff road just South of the Island Pods site.

Inland Wildlife

Mull is not limited to it’s marine wildlife – The largest and most impressive land animal to be found on the Isle of Mull, Red Deer are numerous and widespread. There are also two small herds of Fallow Deer at Knock and Lochbuie. Mull is also home to several small herds of feral goats. There is some mystery as to how these goats got to Mull however, they now play a key ecological role in the maintaining of flower-rich habitats in the more rugged areas other grazing animals do not frequent.