‍ ‍Behind the Lens:

Welcome to Behind the Lens, here you’ll find practical notes, exact routes, and gear specs to help you get the shot without running into avoidable headaches.

Behind the Lens: Photographing White Tailed Eagles on the Isle of Mull

Location & Logistics

  • Spot: Loch Na Keal, Isle of Mull, Scotland.

  • Getting There: We drove from the North of England and stopped at Oban to catch the car ferry to Craigure on the Isle of Mull early the next day. Allow one hour from the Craignure ferry terminal to the jetty at Ulva Ferry to catch the three hour trip on Mull Charters' boat, Lady Jayne check out their website for more information https://www.mullcharters.com/popular.html

  • Ferries: Book CalMac Ferry early (August 2026 price £28 return for a small car + 2 passengers). The Oban to Craignure route is fastest (45–50 mins). Alternatives include Lochaline to Fishnish (15–30 mins) or Kilchoan to Tobermory.

  • Insurance: Buy travel insurance—ferry cancellations due to weather happen fast and can destroy your itinerary.

Gear & Camera Settings

  • Body: Canon 5D Mk4 (full-frame, weather-sealed).

  • Lenses: 24–70mm (coastal landscapes) & 100–400mm (wildlife action).

  • Exposure: 1/2000s - f/6.3 - ISO 320 - Lens used for the Eagle photograph was a Canon 100mm x 400mm.

Crucial Tips & Cost Hacks

  • Stay in Oban to Save Money: Hotel prices on the Isle of Mull skyrocket past £250 per night at peak times. We base ourselves at the Oban Premier Inn (£150 per night) near the ferry terminal and we used the long-stay Tesco parking, five minute walk to the hotel, bars and restaurants.

  • Boat & Weather Prep: Pack sunscreen, waterproofs, camera rain covers, microfibre towels, and wear waterproof boots, the boat can get wet, take a seasick tablet before boarding just in case.

    Toilets and carpark available at the Ulva Jetty

  • Power Management: Fully charge every battery and clear your memory cards the night before, cold air and long shoots drain power fast.

Our 3-Day Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrive in Oban, prep gear, charge electronics, and get an early night.

  • Day 2: We took the 06:15am ferry from Oban to Craignure on Mull (later ferries had sold out). We used the extra morning hours to photograph, Lismore Lighthouse from the car ferry, Tobermory and Calgary Beach. We had time to grab a coffee at the Boathouse restaurant across from the Ulva jetty before our 13:00pm boat trip. We headed back to Oban that evening for dinner.

  • Day 3: Morning photography around Oban before driving home. (Always verify opening times for stops along your return drive, like Inveraray Castle).

Field Strategy

  • Have Backup Subject Plans: If the Eagles don't play along, shoot wide coastal landscapes or scout the roadside for Otters and Marsh Harriers.

  • Essential Pack List: Camera body, two lenses (wide + telephoto), polariser, ND filter, tripod, spare batteries, basic first aid, water and snacks.

  • Note-Taking: Snap quick phone photos of exact parking coordinates, trailheads, and facilities so you can find them instantly on your next trip.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our first Blog

Lismore Lighthouse

The Boathouse Ulva Island

Calgary Beach Isle of Mull

Oban at Sunset