In Lochbuie, The Old Post Office is a cosy tearoom and family-run farm shop where estate-reared beef, venison, pork, and lamb take centre stage. Stop by for homemade cakes or a simple lunch, or pick up one of their Lochbuie Larder ready meals to enjoy later. With big views and plenty of outdoor seating, it’s an ideal Highland pit stop when exploring nearby beauty spots like Laggan Sands, Moy Castle, and the Lochbuie Stone Circle.

Fern Cottage is one of those places you never want to leave. It’s tucked far, far away on Mull’s Croggan Peninsula with the sea just beyond the garden. Wake up to cows lowing in the field, birdsong, and the sound of the waves, with deer and otters drifting past. The cottage has a big airy living space with a wood burner, shelves stacked with books and games, and a kitchen that makes cooking a joy. There’s no WiFi, so you’re properly off the grid.

Set rather spectacularly on a rocky promontory beside the Sound of Mull, Duart Castle has been the Maclean clan’s ancestral stronghold since the 13th century. And yes, it still belongs to the clan today. Restored from ruins in 1911 by Sir Fitzroy Maclean, this atmospheric fortress offers immersive clan history inside its curtain walls, from the Great Hall and dungeons to tearooms where you can reflect on centuries of swashbuckling stories.

Glenforsa Café is India and Max’s love letter to Mull (the couple met at Ballymaloe Cookery School, so you know they’re serious about food). Their menu celebrates the island’s produce in dishes including chilli eggs with confit tomatoes, smoked haddock fritters, or langoustines fresh off the boat at Ulva Ferry. Pop into the farm shop afterwards for Mull-made treats – think tangy Tobermory trout, island cheeses, and jars of homemade jam – perfect for stocking up your self-catered kitchen. It’s slow, soulful cooking with the island at its heart.