- Tobermory is in Isle of Mull, Scotland.
- Colourful harbourfront
- Check access, weather and local guidance before travelling.
About Tobermory
Tobermory is the chief town and harbour of the Isle of Mull, instantly recognisable by its row of brightly painted houses, shops and pubs along the waterfront. Founded as a planned fishing village, it is the island's ferry, shopping and social hub and the setting for the BBC children's series Balamory.
The story of Tobermory
Tobermory was founded in 1788 by the British Fisheries Society, which laid out a planned village on the natural harbour as part of a scheme to develop fishing ports in the Highlands; the society also built Ullapool and Pulteneytown. A Spanish Armada ship, traditionally identified as a vessel from the 1588 fleet, is said to have sunk in Tobermory Bay with a cargo of gold, and several salvage attempts have been made since the 17th century without conclusive success. Tobermory Distillery, established in 1798, produces both the unpeated Tobermory and the peated Ledaig single malts and is one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland. From 2002 the town became familiar to a younger generation as the setting for the BBC children's programme Balamory.
Visiting with care
Arrive on the Oban-Craignure ferry and drive north, or take the smaller summer ferry from Kilchoan. Walk the harbourfront, visit the distillery and the Mull Museum, and watch for otters and white-tailed eagles along the shore.
Interesting facts
- Tobermory was founded in 1788 by the British Fisheries Society as a planned fishing village.
- A Spanish Armada ship from the 1588 fleet is said to have sunk in Tobermory Bay, its gold still undiscovered.
- Tobermory Distillery, established in 1798, is one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland.
- The town was the setting for the BBC children's series Balamory, filmed from 2002.
Getting there
Parking and access details — check locally for the latest information.