Fishnish

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Wander the coastline at Fishnish

You can take a stroll along the coast here, or sit and watch the ferry come and go between Mull and Morvern’s volcanic cliffs. It’s also a good place to watch for birds like gannets, oystercatchers and terns. If you’re lucky you might even spot otters, seals or porpoises.

Just east of the car park is the historic harbour of Ceadha Leth Torcail (the pier of Torquil’s half-share). Mull cattle were loaded onto boats here and ferried across the sound to join droves of beasts in Ardnamurchan. They then walked all the way to market in Falkirk, in the Lowlands.

Our guide map to Mull’s forests will help you enjoy the landscape, culture, history and wildlife of this amazing island.

Grab a bite to eat

When the ferry is running, you’ll find public toilets and a small snack bar at the ferry terminal in Fishnish. There are more places to eat in Craignure, about 5 miles (8km) to the south.

Walking trails

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

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...

Cycling trails

Mountain biking trails

Wildlife watching

The Fishnish Community Hide is an ideal stopping off point on a wet day or whilst heading to or from the Fishnish Ferry, around 700m away. Its location can easily be spotted by the 18 foot Skye and Frisa totem pole, which is carved from the tree which was the home to two of Mull’s most famous eagles. TV stars Skye and Frisa nested in the tree between 2004 and 2006 and produced six chicks.

The totem pole is carved from Sitka Spruce, historically an important tree used for totem poles carved by the Tlingit people of the Sitka area of Alaska. Eagles were important to them as were other animals - see if you can spot up to 14 creatures carved into the wood.

The hide offers wonderful views over the Sound of Mull and a window to some of Mull’s more elusive wildlife, such as otters, sea eagles and the many cetacians which swim the Sound of Mull. Many of Mull’s shore birds can also be spotted from the hide and artwork on the walls will help you identify some of the species you are not familiar with.

Contact: West Argyll Forest District

Address: Whitegates, Lochgilphead, Argyll

Postcode: PA31 8RS

Telephone: 0300 067 6650

Email: westargyll@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

How to get here

From the A849 between Tobermory and Craignure, take the A884 turning for the Fishnish to Lochaline ferry. The main car park is on the right about ¼ mile (400 metres) before the ferry terminal, at grid reference NM 660 423.

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 to Craignure run along the A849, about ½ mile (800 metres) from the forest. Check Traveline Scotland for details.

Nearby places

There are many other forests on the Isle of Mull to explore. A fine coastal trail links Fishnish with Garmony, and there’s a charming abandoned graveyard among the trees at Glen Aros.

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For questions and complaints, please contact us directly.

Fishnish