Wildlife on the Isle of Mull

June 2025 saw us revisit one of our favourite islands in Scotland, and an island that we keep returning to time and again - the Isle of Mull. Although with a seemingly endless variety of beautiful scenery, Mull is perhaps best known as a haven for wildlife, and as the ferry arrived there was the usual sense of excitement and anticipation of what special wildlife encounters awaited. Indeed, we had a feeling we were in for a good week when we found ourselves watching an otter hunting for food within 30 minutes of arriving at the ferry port in Craignure.

More otters were to follow, but first we had a boat trip booked with Mull Charters. Always a favourite on our visits to Mull, this is a brilliant way to see the majestic white tailed sea eagles up close as they circle the boat and pluck fish from the coastal waters.

A white tailed eagle soars over a sea loch in front of one of Mull’s many mountains.

With enormous talons outstretched, this eagle is about to take a fish from the water before returning to its nest to feed the hungry chicks.

After a successful dive, this eagle uses all of its 8-foot wingspan to climb away from the water and back to the nest.

An eagle soars across the water in front of one of Mull’s many beautiful natural landmarks, Eas Fors Waterfall.

These huge birds are surprisingly agile and acrobatic in the air as they twist and turn to get in position to dive for food.

Another boat trip, this time with Sea Life Mull, took us further out to the waters west of Mull in search of more wildlife. As well as a multitude of birds, we were lucky enough to see hundreds of common dolphins, many of which spent time bow riding our boat.

The dolphins were clearly having as much fun around the boat as we were aboard the boat!

Minke whales were the other big highlight of this trip, and in particular this one which circled the boat with dolphins bow riding. Absolutely incredible scenes, and close enough that I really needed a wider angle lens!

Our third boat trip was with Turus Mara to spend an afternoon on the island of Lunga, a small island off the western coast of Mull. After a roly-poly boat ride across a very choppy sea, we arrived on Lunga and walked up to the top of the cliffs to be greeted by the incredible sight, sound and smell of thousands of seabirds.

Guillemots, razorbills and shags nest in abundance on Lunga, but the species people are most keen to see are the puffins. These inquisitive birds are not at all phased by the human visitors and in fact often seem to pose for the camera!

Lots of the puffins had young pufflings in their burrows so were constantly back and forward with beaks full of sand eels.

Surveying the sea before heading back out to catch more sand eels for the hungry youngsters.

I was hoping to capture some puffin-in-flight photos, and with so many flying around it was a great opportunity to do this. This puffin is passing in front of one of the tour boats moored off the island.

Incoming! Approaching the cliff-top with wings outstretched, this puffin is slowing itself down to make the usual somewhat clumsy landing.

This rather sad looking puffin has a tick on its belly. Shortly after this, the tick burrowed into the puffin’s feathers to feast on the unfortunate bird.

A razorbill stretching and flapping.

Razorbill portrait. Although not as colourful as the puffins, they have a more subtle beauty with their bill and face stripe and the bright yellow mouth.

Puffins as far as you can see!

This puffin is drying off after a short rain shower.

Puffins are quite content with human presence, having realised that while people are around the black backed gulls will keep clear of the area and not try to steal their food, or indeed their young!

Shooting down one of the grassy banks of the cliff face resulted in some different backgrounds to the inbound puffins.

We timed our visit with the hope of capturing some images of puffins in bluebells. Although in the end we were a little late for the peak bluebell season, there were still a few around to add a bit more colour to these already colourful birds.

Another animal I was hoping to photograph was the otter, a fairly common animal around the coast of Mull, but one that is notoriously difficult to see and even more tricky to photograph! Our various visits to the Isle of Mull over the years meant that we knew of some good areas to increase our chances of sightings, and our persistence in searching resulted in some fantastic experiences with these wonderful animals.

After emerging from the sea, this otter had a good shake to help dry its fur, before sprainting on this rock to mark its territory.

Whilst lying in the seaweed, peering around a rock, this otter decided to do just the same!

Unaware of my presence, this otter settled down for a nap. It’s such a thrill to be up close with a wild animal like this, whilst knowing that you’re causing them no disturbance.

Hunting in the rain.

An otter makes its way along the shoreline of this sea loch, repeatedly diving for fish. The key to getting close enough for good photos is to move ahead of the otter whilst it’s underwater and guessing where it will next come to shore, then hiding in the rocks whilst also staying downwind of the otter. Easier said than done!

When fieldcraft, persistence and a bit of luck all come together then some wonderful encounters can be enjoyed.

This otter had just settled down behind a bank of seaweed when a car behind me pulled up, with the occupants slamming their doors as they leapt out. The otter lifted his head to look at the commotion happening behind me while my camera quietly clicked away to capture the moment.

A pair of young otters emerge from the sea.

After another fishing trip, this otter seemed to almost wave to me as it rolled in the seaweed and settled down for a well-earned rest.

As well as the much-photographed wildlife featured so far, I was also keen to take some time to appreciate the multitude of other species that call Mull home at this time of year.

Whilst huddled in amongst the rocks and seaweed waiting for an otter, this sandpiper landed nearby, giving me a fantastic close view.

A curlew flies into the sunset, its unmistakeable call marking the start of the summer.

A willow warbler with supper

This female wheatear was busy finding food for hungry chicks.

The Isle of Mull never disappoints, and this visit was a particularly good one for wildlife viewing, with just about every day bringing new delights, surprises and memorable encounters. We can’t wait to return for another visit to our favourite Scottish island!