Tobermory: A special Return

Tobermory: A Special Return and West Coast Charms!

It was good to be back in Tobermory, a place that holds immense significance for us – it's where we first met 11 years ago! Returning here today on our very own boat felt truly special. The marina operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and as we approached, it looked incredibly busy, with many boats opting for swinging moorings. However, to our delight, there were quite a few berths available, and we were able to come in alongside on a finger pontoon. We spent a wonderfully chilled evening at MacGoghans, enjoying a fabulous meal out.

The next day, the weather took a turn for the worse; it was teaming down again, a stark contrast to the glorious, sun-filled weekend we'd just enjoyed. Nick set about patching up the dinghy, which had unfortunately deflated due to an obvious leak. Other than that, we took the short walk into town for a hot chocolate at The Gallery. By the end of the day, the rain had subsided, and Tracey took Pepper for a walk up the coastal path, which winds up the hill and through a heavily wooded area. They passed a couple of small waterfalls, and just as Tracey was about to get her phone out to capture some photos, she realized she had left it on the boat. She could have kicked herself, missing the opportunity to capture some of the stunning views over the harbour that were afforded to her.

Tobermory: A Colourful History and Legendary Tales

Tobermory, the vibrant capital of the Isle of Mull, is renowned for its iconic, brightly painted buildings that curve around its picturesque harbour. Founded as a fishing port in 1788 based on designs by the famous engineer Thomas Telford, its name comes from the Gaelic Tobar Mhoire, meaning "Mary's Well," referring to an ancient holy well dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Beyond its charming facade, Tobermory is steeped in legend, most notably the tale of a Spanish galleon laden with gold, said to have sunk in Tobermory Bay in 1588. According to folklore, the Florencia (or Florida), part of the defeated Spanish Armada, anchored here for provisions. A dispute over payment (or perhaps a witch's curse!) led to the ship catching fire, its gunpowder magazine exploding and sending the vessel, and reputedly £300,000 worth of gold, to the bottom. While numerous attempts have been made over centuries to find this treasure, no significant gold has ever been recovered, though the mystery continues to captivate. More recently, Tobermory gained global fame as the setting for the beloved BBC children's programme Balamory (2002-2005), turning its colourful houses into a pilgrimage site for young fans. The town is also home to the Tobermory Distillery, established in 1798, making it one of Scotland's oldest commercial distilleries.

As the evening settled, we enjoyed a few drinks on Halcyon Sea, planning our trip for tomorrow. Damon and Elaine were showing us the way to Coll. We were excited to be seeing new places. All we needed was the weather to be as predicted: a much nicer day, and with no rain.Read more