Fishnish

Watch for otters and porpoises in the Sound of Mull

Take a stroll along the coast or sit and watch the Calmac ferry cruise below Morvern's volcanic cliffs. Fishnish is a great place to watch for sea birds like gannets, oystercatchers and terns. If you're lucky you might even spot otters, seals, dolphins or porpoises.

To the east of the car park, you will find the historic harbour of Ceadha Leth Torcail ('the pier of Torquil’s half-share'), where cattle were loaded onto boats and ferried to the mainland to join droves of beasts on the long walk to market in Falkirk.

Walking trails

Fishnish route card (PDF)

Walking

Fishnish Loop

A short leg stretch through Fishnish Forest while you are waiting for the ferry. Listen out for the noisy chirping of crossbills as they feed in the canopy. 

Mostly firm gravel surface, with a section of uneven grass and earth path. Some parts may be muddy. Moderate slopes with some short steeper sections.

1 ½ miles / 2.3 km

Allow ¾ hours

Walking

Coastal Trail

Follow the low rocky shore of the Sound of Mull between Fishnish and Garmony. Great views of the Morvern peninsula and an opportunity to see oystercatchers on the rocks.

Uneven grassy and gravel surface, with some rough rocky and earthy sections. Some short steep slopes. Includes narrow sections of boardwalk and several muddy areas.

4 miles / 6.5 km

Allow 2 hours

More information

This trail along the coast and back links Fishnish with the popular picnic spot at Garmony. The oystercatchers  often create an atmospheric mood with their high, piping call.

Activities

Watch for wildlife

Fishnish wildlife hide offers wonderful views over the Sound of Mull to some of the island's more elusive wildlife, such as otters, sea eagles, dolphins, porpoise and whales. Information panels will keep you updated on recent sightings and help you identify each species you spot.

The wildlife hide can be easily located by its 18 foot totem pole, built from the tree that was home to two of Mull's most famous eagle residents - TV stars Skye and Frisa nested in the tree between 2004 and 2006 and produced six chicks. See if you can spot all fourteen animals carved into the wood.

Facilities and access

Parking

Picnic area

Viewpoint

Walking

Wildlife hide

Easy-access facilities

If the public toilets at the Fishnish ferry pier are not open, alternative toilets can be found to the west in Salen or east in Craignure.

Car parking information

There is no charge to park in this car park. Please park with care and consideration. In particular please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates.

More about parking

Getting here

From the A849 between Tobermory and Craignure, take the turn-off for the Lochaline Car Ferry. The main car park is on the right about ¼ mile before the ferry terminal.

Using SatNav?

PA65 6BA is the nearest postcode, but it’s on the A849 just west of the turning to the ferry terminal.

Public transport

Buses between Craignure and Tobermory stop at the turn-off to the ferry terminal, about ½ mile (800 metres) from the forest. Plan your journey at Traveline Scotland.

Get directions

Explore further 

Mull is home to other fantastic informal forest walks for you to visit while on the island. Please use the grid references below to visit some of our other less visited sites.

• Loch Frisa (North car park): NM4623 5230           
• Loch Frisa (South car park): NM5536 4592
• Ardmore: NM 4855 5580
• Loch Torr Hide (Quinish forest): NM 4501 5258