How Mull’s Eagles will make your heart soar!

Mull – the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides – is home to some fantastic birds of prey. Hen Harriers, Short-eared Owls, Kestrels, Merlins and Peregrines fly high above this beautiful Scottish island's hills, moors and lochs. But it’s the Eagles that are the main draw. White-tailed Eagles and Golden Eagles share this epic Highland habitat, and you’ve got a good chance of spotting both of these feathered giants on a visit to Mull.

Golden Eagles

Mull has the highest density of nesting golden eagles in Europe, and this spectacular predator, the UK’s second largest bird of prey, can often be seen soaring over the island’s remote glens, moorland and mountains. The ‘goldie’ flies with its long, broad wings held in a shallow ‘V’ shape. Look out for the deeply ‘fingered’ wing tips.

But if the golden eagle is an impressive sight, the white-tailed eagle, also called the sea eagle, is truly the king of the Scottish skies and, arguably, the highlight of a trip to Mull. Weighing up to 15lb and with an eight-foot wing span, it’s the UK’s largest bird of prey and the fourth largest eagle in the world. The Gaelic name Iolair Sùil na Grèine means ‘the eagle with the sunlit eye’.

We’re lucky the white-tailed eagle is still here. It was trapped, poisoned, and shot to extinction in Britain, with the last bird killed in 1918. However, over a decade from 1975, eighty-two young Sea Eagles were brought from Norway and released on the island of Rum. They flew over to Mull, and now, more than eighteen breeding pairs nest on the island.

The white-tailed eagle’s distinctive features make it easy to spot and identify. Look out for the huge wingspan, large, pale, buff-coloured head, enormous bill and short, wedge-shaped, white tail. It’s also quite vocal; listen out for the call, a mixture of a bark and a yelp. The white-tailed eagle prefers sheltered lochs or sea lochs rather than exposed coastal sites. It also prefers to nest in trees rather than on cliffs. Their nests are enormous!

Wildlife Tours

A great way to experience Mull’s magnificent white-tailed eagles is by boat. Mull Charters has designed a trip to get you up close and personal with the birds. From the land, you can watch the sea eagles sitting in their nests or soaring in the sky, but from a boat, you can see their fish. The giant birds swoop down to pluck fish from the surface of the sea as near as 25ft from the boat. What an incredible sight!

Of course, you don’t need to go on an organised trip to see Mull’s magnificent eagles. When you’re out and about exploring the island by foot or bike, keep your eyes peeled, and you’ll have a good chance of spotting these majestic raptors. And one thing’s for sure: it’s a sight guaranteed to make your heart soar along with the eagles.

Whilst on Mull: Places to Stay

For a unique place to stay, head to Treshnish Cottages located in the beautiful Haunn region of the island. Whether you'd like to stay at a cottage close to the farmhouse or in the more remote Shepherd’s Hut, the peace and quiet at Treshnish will leave you feeling relaxed and recharged.