What’s on at the Western!
Book Festival 2026
The Tobermory Book Festival returns to Mull this autumn, bringing a rich mix of writers, thinkers and storytellers to one of Scotland’s most picturesque literary settings. Taking place on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October, the Festival is held at the Western Isles Hotel and welcomes authors including the acclaimed wildlife cameraman and broadcaster Gordon Buchanan, with his emotionally honest and raw account of a challenging childhood and the escape and solace he found – and continues to find – in the natural world around him. Highland shepherdess Helen Percy introduces her captivating memoir which offers an unflinching portrayal of the daily hardships and triumphs faced by those who embrace the wild beauty of the countryside and journalist Tim Ecott shares the remarkable (and vanishing) lifestyle of the sole inhabitants of the inaccessible Faroese island of Stóra Dímun.
Festival Patron, writer, librettist, musician and raconteur Sir Alexander McCall Smith entertains the festival audience following the gala dinner on Saturday evening. Renowned crime writer Alex Gray speaks at a lunch on Friday on the latest instalment of her DSI Lorimer series, this one set on Mull and Colin MacIntyre, aka the Mull Historical Society, celebrates the return of Ivor Punch in the second of his ‘Mull Mysteries’ crime series. Lorn Macintyre explores the legend of the Tobermory Galleon, which he has fictionalised into a new novel, after dinner on Friday; campaigners and writers Zoe Venditozzi and Claire Mitchell KC delve deeply into why witch trials exploded in Scotland in the 16th Century; Mhairi Livingstone presents her comprehensive history of Oban from pre-history to the present day and historian Alistair Moffat brings his new history of the Scottish Highlands and Islands to lunch on Saturday.
Blending nature writing and memoir, Callum Robinson shares a love letter to trees, timber and craftmanship and a book that asks us to see our local trees, and our own wooden objects, in a new and revelatory light while prominent psychiatrist and psychotherapist Sue Stuart-Smith investigates the magic that many gardeners have known for years – working with nature can radically transform our health, wellbeing and confidence and Mike Daniels presents an alternative, and more sustainable, future for Scotland’s deer population.
The festival continues to champion Scotland’s literary heritage while offering visitors a warm Mull welcome with special accommodation rates available at the Western Isles Hotel for festival attendees for the nights of Thursday 22 October through Sunday 25 October, making it easier for book lovers to enjoy a full weekend of events, food, and island hospitality.
For full programme details, tickets, and accommodation information, visit: www.tobermorybookfestival.co.uk
Mindful Art Weekend
Join a small, friendly group of 3 people for a relaxing art weekend on the stunning Isle of Mull. Explore mindful resin techniques and enjoy painting en plein air, surrounded by the island’s rich autumn colours. The Island landscape has been my home for 18 years. I would like to share my inspiration and painting process with you in a mindful way. Sharing what I have learned and experienced living close to the Island nature while walking the hills and living by the sea. Learning to stop, to notice the flowers and feel the fresh breeze of the Ocean.
We will start at 10 AM on Saturday and end at 6 PM on Sunday. I will provide a comfy lift to painting locations. All materials and studio space provided. “ Never tried resin before - the instructions were awesome”.
https://www.scottishislandart.com/mindful-art-weekends-isle-of-mull/
Mindful Art Weekend
Join a small, friendly group of 3 people for a relaxing art weekend on the stunning Isle of Mull. Explore mindful resin techniques and enjoy painting en plein air, surrounded by the island’s rich autumn colours. The Island landscape has been my home for 18 years. I would like to share my inspiration and painting process with you in a mindful way. Sharing what I have learned and experienced living close to the Island nature while walking the hills and living by the sea. Learning to stop, to notice the flowers and feel the fresh breeze of the Ocean.
We will start at 10 AM on Saturday and end at 6 PM on Sunday. I will provide a comfy lift to painting locations. All materials and studio space provided. “ Never tried resin before - the instructions were awesome”.
https://www.scottishislandart.com/mindful-art-weekends-isle-of-mull/
Mindful Art Weekend
Join a small, friendly group of 3 people for a relaxing art weekend on the stunning Isle of Mull. Explore mindful resin techniques and enjoy painting en plein air, surrounded by the island’s rich autumn colours. The Island landscape has been my home for 18 years. I would like to share my inspiration and painting process with you in a mindful way. Sharing what I have learned and experienced living close to the Island nature while walking the hills and living by the sea. Learning to stop, to notice the flowers and feel the fresh breeze of the Ocean.
We will start at 10 AM on Saturday and end at 6 PM on Sunday. I will provide a comfy lift to painting locations. All materials and studio space provided. “ Never tried resin before - the instructions were awesome”.
https://www.scottishislandart.com/mindful-art-weekends-isle-of-mull/
Mindful Art Weekend
Join a small, friendly group of 3 people for a relaxing art weekend on the stunning Isle of Mull. Explore mindful resin techniques and enjoy painting en plein air, surrounded by the island’s rich autumn colours. The Island landscape has been my home for 18 years. I would like to share my inspiration and painting process with you in a mindful way. Sharing what I have learned and experienced living close to the Island nature while walking the hills and living by the sea. Learning to stop, to notice the flowers and feel the fresh breeze of the Ocean.
We will start at 10 AM on Saturday and end at 6 PM on Sunday. I will provide a comfy lift to painting locations. All materials and studio space provided. “ Never tried resin before - the instructions were awesome”.
https://www.scottishislandart.com/mindful-art-weekends-isle-of-mull/
Mindful Art Weekend
Join a small, friendly group of 3 people for a relaxing art weekend on the stunning Isle of Mull. Explore mindful resin techniques and enjoy painting en plein air, surrounded by the island’s rich autumn colours. The Island landscape has been my home for 18 years. I would like to share my inspiration and painting process with you in a mindful way. Sharing what I have learned and experienced living close to the Island nature while walking the hills and living by the sea. Learning to stop, to notice the flowers and feel the fresh breeze of the Ocean.
We will start at 10 AM on Saturday and end at 6 PM on Sunday. I will provide a comfy lift to painting locations. All materials and studio space provided. “ Never tried resin before - the instructions were awesome”.
https://www.scottishislandart.com/mindful-art-weekends-isle-of-mull/
MULL FILM CLUB - On The Road Weekender
Three journeys on film, from Georgia to Istanbul, through southwest USA, and across Iceland.
Book your tickets now >>> https://www.trybooking.com/uk/eventlist/mullfilmclub
Damn Fine Drama Weekender
Join us for a Damn Fine Drama Weekender, Fri 19th to Sun 21st Dec, with three American classics on the big screen at the Western Isles Hotel. Our films are open to all, here's the lineup.....
Fri 19th Dec: Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (12A) @ 8pm
Sat 20th Dec: Casablanca (U) @ 3pm
Sun 21st Dec: It's a Wonderful Life (U) @ 3pm
All tickets cost just £6 (including booking fees), with limited space available on the sofas.
Make a weekender of it, book now for all films:
MESS - Fashion Show
The yearly fashion show is a staple in our yearly calendar. Come along for a night of fun & laughter while our volunteers model the very best in sustainable fashion from our local charity shop, MESS.
Isle of Trad Music Festival 2025
The Isle of Trad Festival is coming back this November! After a phenomenal success last year, we are extremely excited to bring some talented musicians to the island, showcasing some fantastic contemporary Scottish music!
With great tunes all day and all night, brilliant deals, and the ultimate vibes, this is a weekend you won't want to miss! Find out more at www.westernisleshotel.com/isleoftrad25
Western Isles Hotel and Falasgair are delighted to share the full lineup and day splits for the Isle of Trad Music Festival, returning to Tobermory, Isle of Mull, 7–9 November 2025.
✨ Newly Added to the Lineup:
Kathleen Macdonald & Callum Mackinnon
Eneko Lane & Naomi Priestnall
They’ll join a stellar cast including Trip, The Poozies, Tarran, Falasgair, Hannah Fisher & Sorren Maclean, and many more.
🎵 Festival Schedule
FRIDAY
6.00–7.00 – Kathleen Macdonald & Callum Mackinnon
7.15–8.15 – Birl-esque with Eilidh Shaw & Ross Martin
8.30–9.30 – Tarran
9.45–11.00 – Falasgair
SATURDAY
12.00–4.00 – Afternoon Sessions
6.00–7.00 – Eneko Lane & Naomi Priestnall
7.15–8.15 – MacMaster / Hay
8.30–9.30 – Trip
9.45–10.45 – The Poozies
SUNDAY
12.00–4.00 – Afternoon Sessions
6.30–6.50 – Sophie Joint & Breanna Wilson
7.00–7.20 – Macaulay Ross & Malachy Arnold
8.00–8.45 – Hannah Fisher & Sorren Maclean
9.00–10.30 – Falasgair & Tarran Big Send Off
✨ Stay in the Heart of the Action
The Western Isles Hotel offers the ultimate festival base, with:
Music just steps from your room
Panoramic views over Tobermory Bay
Roaring fires and Highland hospitality
Special festival weekend packages
Rooms are filling fast – don’t miss the chance to be part of this unforgettable weekend of music on Mull.
To book a stay with us or reserve a table, contact us: call 01688 302012 or email reservations@westernisleshotel.com
Tobermory Book Festival
Now in its sixth year, the Tobermory Book Festival returns to celebrate Mull’s reputation as an island book capital. Over two inspiring days, join us in Scotland’s most beautiful small town to hear from superb speakers, enjoy lively discussions, and savour the very best of Highland food and hospitality.