Overview

The main hotels on the Isle of Mull aren't accessible. I took my 92 year old wheelchair using (although she can get out and toddle a couple of steps if need be) Ma onto Mull having found the Shielings. It's basically a campsite with space for the usual tents, camper vans etc, but on the top field they have 'shielings' (look it up!). They have converted a 'shieling' into a self-catering holiday home, with fully fitted kitchen, two bedrooms (one twin, one double), stunning view up the Loch, sitting area and dining table. Although it's not billed as being fully adapted for those with disabilities it has a lot of features that make it accessible. There's a shop in Craignure village by the very terminal stocking anything you might want. You park your car in an unloading area about 8m from the shieling but it's not paved (and it's on a slight slope). We parked there, unloaded my Mum into her wheelchair and then its a metre to get onto the pavers up to the shillings (which are in a row). The paving has ramps into the shielings and there is a slight lip to lift the wheelchair over on the threshold of the door. Inside is all on one level. The shower also has a very small lip to get into it and currently has no grab rail (feedback given on this and the fact that a rubber suction shower mat would help) but it's all lovely. The bathroom is big enough for a wheelchair to go in. There are also no grab rails around the toilet but whether rails could be fixed, I'm not sure because the structure is basically a huge tent with a wooden frame and plasterboard walls inside). It's perfectly fine if you don't need a rail. I gave feedback on the fact that the toilet seat was plastic and therefore probably could not withstand the weight of someone sitting on it to assist dressing. Mull is an 'outdoorsy' sort of place; castles built in the 15th century tend not to be accessible, however the tea rooms that are attached tend to have ramps that even if they aren't permanent, can be put in place if need be. If you want to get a fix of quiet, beautiful scenery and try to look for sea eagles and otters from a vehicle then Mull is the place to go.

Transport & Parking

Would need two people to get from unloading area to the shieling as once you've unloaded (person or luggage) you them have to move the car to parking area which is down a grassy slope. CalMac very to the Isle of Mull from Oban - very accessible - has lift from car deck or you can wheel on as foot passenger.

Access

Small lips over threshold into shieling and into shower. Although I didn't try to get the wheelchair into the twin room, it might be a bit tight for manoeuvrability. It would fit into the double room. The beds have a slight lip sticking out on the sides i.e. the mattress isn't flush with the bed frame. This may or may not be a problem depending on ability to get legs over it.

Toilets

Yes, space for a carer in the shieling toilet. No rails.

Staff

When we were looking for somewhere to book, we started looking at the old stone built holiday cottages that are on site. The staff said that we'd be better in the shieling and they were correct.

Photos