The Isle of Mull Summer Expedition with Iolo Williams - June 2026

Day 1 – A Damp Start 

Our wildlife package began after lunch, meeting everyone in Tobermory before setting off to explore some of the coastal habitats in the central part of the island. 

The weather certainly lived up to the title of the day, with a damp start greeting us, but that never stops wildlife enthusiasts! Although the sights were quieter than we'd hoped, there were still some lovely moments to enjoy. Two Gannets cruised effortlessly over the sea loch, while a smart Ringed Plover fed along the shoreline. 

We also checked one of our regular Otter and White-tailed Eagle territories. Unfortunately, wildlife doesn't always read the script, and despite our efforts neither species decided to make an appearance. 

With the weather against us, we decided to finish a little earlier than planned, allowing for an early start the following morning in the hope of better conditions and even more wildlife. 

Day 2 – The 02 (Otters and Ospreys) 

Just north of Salen, the day got off to an unbelievable start with an Irish Hare feeding in a roadside field. Before we had even had time to take that in, we were quickly onto our next wildlife encounter – two Otters, a mum and her cub. They proved slightly tricky to watch due to the busy road, but what an incredible way to begin the day. 

Our next stop was the toilets and of all places to see wildlife. Waiting for us were two Ospreys, a beautiful Swallow perched on the wires, and Greenfinches, Siskins and Redpolls landing in the dead tree above. Who would have thought a toilet break could be so productive? 

Continuing, we found a small pod of Common Dolphins, swimming through an inland sheltered sea loch. Not long afterwards we enjoyed much better views of another Otter, that even the binmen couldn't resist. Spending time with the otter was beautiful seeing it resting on the shoreline before swimming out in front of everyone.  

Next, it was time for Ewan's famous Red Deer carcass, where two Ravens and a Herring Gull were busy feeding. It just had to get a mention I am sorry; we were looking at it for long enough 😊.  

We then parked up for a pleasant walk, where we found Spotted Flycatchers, Ringed Plovers, and Common Sandpipers. The highlight, however, was watching three Hen Harriers—one stunning grey male and two ringtails—constantly hunting over the hillside. Throughout the walk, groups of Eiders flew past various stages of eclipse plumage, while one of the most heartwarming moments came from an adorable family of Red-breasted Mergansers swimming together. 

Driving along the loch once again rewarded us with yet another Otter, this one preening on the shoreline before swimming around, allowing everyone to enjoy brilliant views without even leaving the vans. 

Our final stop took us out onto the rolling hills where seals rested on the large skerries offshore. Suddenly, another Osprey appeared. This time it was a juvenile bird, gliding beautifully low over the fence posts. One of Iolo's best quotes for the trip: "I've seen this 100 times before—they love voles!" as the bird continued its low flight across the fields. 

Then, just five minutes later, the Osprey returned carrying a freshly caught fish from the nearby loch, following almost the same flight path. Watching this unfold was simply unbelievable, especially considering Ospreys don't breed on Mull. It was one of those magical wildlife moments that everyone will remember. 

Day 3 – Lunga  

After setting off from Ulva Ferry, we made our way towards the spectacular Isle of Lunga, with excitement building throughout the journey. 

Before even landing, we were treated to the sight of an amazing Grey Seal rookery, with seals hauled out across the rocks as we passed. 

On arrival at Lunga we were immediately rewarded with one of the highlights of the entire week—a wonderfully vocal Corncrake, rasping away from the vegetation and showing remarkably well. It was a real privilege to spend time watching one of Scotland's most elusive birds. 

From there, we spent around an hour simply admiring the famous Puffins on the plateau. Watching these charismatic seabirds flying in and out to sea, interacting around their burrows and delighting everyone with their comical personalities is something that never gets old. After all that excitement, it was the perfect time to enjoy a spot of Jane's amazing soup before continuing our adventure. 

Next, we headed towards Harp Rock, where the cliffs were absolutely alive with seabirds. There was an incredible abundance of auks, including Guillemots, Razorbills, Puffins, and Shags, while both species of skua—Arctic Skua and Great Skua—patrolled the cliffs overhead. In the distance, another Corncrake continued calling, adding to the atmosphere. 

Around the towering cliffs, elegant Fulmars glided effortlessly on the updrafts, while the calls of Twite could be heard sporadically from the surrounding areas. 

As we headed back by boat, we made a stop to admire the incredible geology of Fingal's Cave. The dramatic basalt columns never fail to impress, and to round off a fantastic day we watched three Manx Shearwaters cutting low across the water in front of the boat—a perfect ending to another unforgettable day in the Hebrides. 

 Day 4 – White Tailed Eagles

Despite the challenging damp conditions, the wildlife certainly didn't disappoint and produced some unforgettable moments throughout the day. 

One of the highlights was watching a White-tailed Eagle nest, where a chick could be seen while an adult bird surveyed the surrounding area from a nearby perch. It was a real privilege to witness this iconic species at such an important stage of the breeding season. 

There was also another fantastic encounter with two Otters, which were having a surprisingly vocal squabble. Watching and listening to their interaction was yet another highlight of the day and a reminder that these normally elusive mammals can sometimes be full of character. 

The day was rounded off on the moors, where both a male and female Hen Harrier could be seen quartering over the heather despite the tricky damp conditions. Their graceful, low hunting flights provided the perfect ending to another memorable day in the field. 

Day 5 – The King of the North 

Our final day began beside a beautifully sheltered sea loch. The calm conditions, accompanied by the gentle sound of the stream below us, created the perfect atmosphere for a morning of wildlife watching. Along the shoreline were Common Sandpipers, Redshanks, and Curlews, while a small Common Gull colony was busy around us. 

One particularly memorable moment came when a Grey Heron caught an eel. Everyone watched as it struggled for several minutes before finally managing to swallow its impressive catch. 

We then headed for a beach walk, where juvenile Wheatears were happily bopping around the sands. A nice group of Eiders with some adorable chicks drifted offshore, while Iolo gave a fascinating talk about the amazing machair habitat found on the nearby grassland and the incredible diversity of wildlife it supports. 

With one final target remaining, we headed up onto the moors in search of the Golden Eagles. Patience really paid off. Amazingly, Ewan picked out a male Golden Eagle perched on a deer fence. After a while the bird eventually took to the air, and moments later a huge female Golden Eagle appeared. Together they spiraled effortlessly above the hillside before eventually landing side by side on the summit of a nearby mountain. 

It was a truly special privilege to finish the package watching these magnificent birds—the true Kings of the North. 

As if the day couldn't get any better, the drive back to Tobermory produced one final surprise. We found two Slow Worms, including a particularly large female, providing the perfect ending to a fantastic wildlife package filled with unforgettable encounters and lifelong memories. 

Overall 

 What an unbelievable 5-day package seeing such an incredible variety of species. We hope you all enjoyed the trip and chance to meet the legend himself, Iolo Williams. From the Nature Scotland team, we want to say a huge thank you. We all thought you were such amazing and funny guests, and you made the trip so memorable for us.  

We hope you enjoyed the rest of your stay on the Isle of Mull, and we hope to see you back on the island again soon for another adventure! 

Best Wishes, 

NS Team