MULLING IT OVER

Motoroamers Karen and Myles Davies surrender to island life on summer tour of the Isle of Mull in Scotland's Inner Hebrides.

Scotland's Inner Hebrides might not be promoted quite as keenly as their northerly cousins, yet their accessibility from the mainland makes them an excellent option for motorhome touring.

After Skye, the Isle of Mull is the second.

largest island in the Inner Hebrides archipelago, and it lies a mere 50-minute ferry trip west of Oban.

With a breathtaking landscape that has, over the centuries, inspired poets, musicians and explorers, Mull has a strong allure for motorhomers.

And although the island may appear small, at just 30 miles long, mountainous Mull nevertheless has many reasons to entice you to visit.

Small but perfectly formed

As part of last summer's Schengen Shuffle, the Inner Hebrides was our chosen destination, leaving the crowds of the mainland behind.

The Isle of Mull was the location that appealed the most, after our research revealed 300 miles of coastline, a spectacular mountain landscape and outdoor activities aplenty.

The greatest draw for us, though, was the isle's unique setting for wildlife - we were told it has the greatest biodiversity of any comparably sized area in the UK. There are sea eagles, otters, dolphins, seals, deer and golden eagles - we were hooked by the prospect of such sights, and had our cameras poised for action.

Mull is more about topography than perhaps its urban areas.

It has a small population, with only half a dozen communities dotted around the island's outer edges. It was the long coastline and dramatic wilderness that most lured us as we sought solitude, tranquility and the rawness of Mother Nature.

From the moment our Oban ferry landed at Craignure on the east coast, we instantly felt the island vibe. It wrapped its arms around us.