Lochbuie (Locha Buidhe, yellow loch) is a tiny settlement on Mull in the Scottish Inner Hebrides. It's in a small fertile patch amid boggy rocky uplands, miles from anywhere. The population might be a couple of dozen, outnumbered 1000 to 1 by the midges.
Get in[edit]
- "We came without any difficulty, at evening, to Lochbuy, where we found a true Highland Laird, rough and haughty, and tenacious of his dignity; who, hearing my name, inquired whether I was of the Johnstons of Glencroe, or of Ardnamurchan." - Samuel Johnson and Boswell visited in 1773.
You need a car, or to be a keen cyclist: Lochbuie is 20 miles from Craignure down a long lonely lane with no public transport.
Get around[edit]
The village sights are all within a short walk.
See[edit]
- 1 Moy Castle, Lochbuie PA62 6AA. Remains of a 15th century tower, abandoned in 1752. The structure is unsafe so you can't go inside. It was the location for the 1945 Powell-Pressburger film I know where I'm going.
- 2 Lochbuie Stone Circle is a well preserved prehistoric stone circle. It's within the grounds of Lochbuie House but you can walk to it via a boggy path. The House itself was built in the 18th century and once hosted Johnson and Boswell; it's private.
- St Kilda's is the small chapel, built 1876; Episcopal (Anglican) services are occasionally still held here.
- 3 Eilean Mòr is the tidal island that shelters the village. It's just rough grazing but has views.
- 4 Maclaine Mausoleum is reached by a two mile hike south of the village. It's medieval but re-built in 1864.
Do[edit]
- The best beach is Laggan Sands, east of the tidal island. Walk south along them to visit the MacLaine clan mausoleum.
Buy[edit]

- The Old Post Office has food essentials.
Eat[edit]
- 1 Old Post Office, ☏ +44 1680 814153, flora@dobhrancroft.co.uk. Daily 09:00-17:00. Small cafe. They also deliver ready-cooked meals, see online menu, but they need a week's notice.
Drink[edit]
Bring your own.
Sleep[edit]
- Camping is only permitted above the beach just beyond the Old Post Office; no caravans.
- Lochbuie Self-Catering cottages (by road junction near Moy Castle). Kathleen Cottage and Mabel Cottage are run by Lochbuie House.
Connect[edit]
You might just about get a signal on Vodafone outdoors, but not on O2, EE or Three, as of May 2020.
Go next[edit]
The only road leads back to the junction with A849 at Inverlussa. Turn east for Craignure and Tobermory, or west to Fionnphort for the short crossing to Iona.