The Isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides has been named the 23rd best island in the world by global travel site Big 7 Travel, making it the only Scottish island to appear on the 2026 list. The island was singled out for its rugged coastline of rocky bays and white sands, wildlife-rich waters popular for dolphin and seal-watching, and scenic inland hikes.
Isle of Mull's Ranking and Features
Covering approximately 875 square kilometres, Mull is the second-largest island in the Inner Hebrides after Skye, with a population of around 3,000. Its main settlement, Tobermory, is famous for its colourful seafront buildings, originally built as a fishing port in the late 18th century. The town offers independent retailers, restaurants, cafés, pubs, hotels, and attractions, and served as the backdrop for the children's show Balamory.
Tobermory is home to The Mull Museum, featuring artefacts detailing the island's history, and Tobermory Distillery, one of Scotland's oldest working distilleries, offering tours and tastings. The island is renowned for its beaches, including Calgary Beach in the north and Uisken Beach in the south, as well as the Ben More Munro.
Wildlife and Hiking
Mull is known for its diverse wildlife, including many bird species, sea life, and mammals. Big 7 Travel commented: "Mull’s rugged coastline is defined by rocky bays, cliffs that overlook tiny islets, and unexpectedly white sands. It’s an island of contrasts—where Highland cows bathe in the calm, crystal-clear sea, and foamy waters crash into basalt columns."
"Tobermory, the island’s main hub, is beloved for its technicolour houses, whisky distilleries, and is the main port for dolphin and seal-watching tours—though you might spot seals lounging in Salen Bay, too. Inland, hikers can ‘bag a Munro’ (a Scottish mountain over 3,000 feet) by scaling Ben More, or follow routes that traverse over hills, through sap-thick forests, and across wildflower-strewn fields."
Top Islands Worldwide
The number one island on the list is Sri Lanka, praised for its misty mountains and wildlife safaris featuring tigers and elephants. Second place went to Mo’orea in French Polynesia, followed by Socotra in Yemen at number three. Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean and the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean rounded out the top five.
To compile the ranking, Big 7 Travel's editorial team combined aggregated scores from previous media results and travel awards with insights from its social audience, then applied their own expertise to finalise the list of 50.
Big 7 Travel added: "Islands have a certain alluring magic that sets them apart from mainland destinations. Maybe it’s the sense of mystery that comes from their separation, or the remote beauty of being surrounded by nothing but horizon-stretching ocean. Whatever it is, these 50 islands have it."
