Mulling it over

Just returned from a holiday on the Isle of Mull, in Scotland. Mull is, by British standards, a long way from anywhere. Roads are mostly single track, houses few and far between, and your mobile phone probably won't work. Lots of mountains, lakes, rivers. If you like that sort of thing, and you're interested in wildlife, then this is the place for you. If you can't live without CNN, visit somewhere else.

We stayed in the Druimnacroish Hotel, which is small, comfortable, and provides good food. No TV in your room, however, so if you'd just die without it...

For wildlife outings, we found that the trips organised by Arthur and Pam Brown were good value. These two know where to go to make sure that you see rare eagles, otters, sea birds, et cetera.

A word of warning. In the summer - June, July and August - Scotland is the home of a relative of the mosquito, known as the midge. Midges bite, and the bites are painful and tiresome. These wee beasties can ruin a holiday if you're in the wrong place at the wrong time. For more information read George Hendry's unexpected bestseller Midges in Scotland (Mercat Press). A one-page briefing can be found on the Undiscovered Scotland web site.