Ulva
Island Small Scottish island off Mull with rugged coastline
A small island off Mull, Ulva offers short coastal hikes, white sand bays, seabird colonies and Hebridean croft ruins; visitors arrive by ferry from Mull to walk trails and watch seals.
Ulva is a small island off the west coast of the Isle of Mull in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides. It is noted for rugged coastline, coastal cliffs and a network of walking paths that pass ruins of former croft settlements.
The island has a very small resident population and is largely managed for conservation and low-intensity tourism; walkers and wildlife observers are common visitors. There are several short trails and viewpoints along the shore that reveal seascapes and views towards Mull.
Historically the island supported crofting communities and experienced depopulation in the 19th and 20th centuries; remains of old settlements can be found among the vegetation. Modern access is by small vehicle or foot ferry from the Mull shore at Ulva Ferry.
Ulva lies directly off the west coast of Mull, separated by a narrow sound and accessed from the island of Mull’s west coast; it forms part of the Inner Hebrides archipelago.
- Access: Short passenger ferry connections run from the Mull side at Ulva Ferry, making day visits from the Isle of Mull practical in summer months.
How to Get to Ulva #
Ulva (off the Isle of Mull) is reached via Mull. From mainland Scotland take the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Oban to Craignure on Mull, then drive or take local buses across Mull to the small ferrylanding called Ulva Ferry on Mull; from there a short local boat/foot passenger crossing (minutes) delivers you to Ulva. Schedules for the small island boat are limited-check local timetables or arrange transfers in advance.
Tips for Visiting Ulva #
- Ferry to Ulva runs from the hamlet called Ulva Ferry on the Isle of Mull-plan your Mull road route to end at the slip and allow time for limited parking there, as spaces are small.
- Check the community-run ferry timetable before travelling: sailings are seasonal and can change at short notice, so confirm times with the Ulva community or local tourist office to avoid a missed connection.
- Once ashore, follow the marked paths to see the ruined settlements and shoreline viewpoints; these inland archaeological remains and small glens are quieter than the shoreline and are easily missed by visitors who only walk the coast.
Best Time to Visit Ulva #
Best visited in late spring through early autumn for milder weather, wildlife and reliable ferry connections.
Weather & Climate near Ulva #
Ulva's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 3°C to 16°C. Heavy rainfall (2107 mm/year), wettest in January.
January
January is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (257 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (158 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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March
March is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (195 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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June
June is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (125 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (151 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 10°C. Heavy rain (209 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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October
October is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 8°C. Heavy rain (233 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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November
November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 5°C. Heavy rain (241 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 4°C. Heavy rain (234 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
