Tobermory
| |
|---|---|
 Tobermory waterfront | |
  Tobermory Location withinArgyll and Bute | |
| Population | 1,000 (2022)[1] |
| OS grid reference | NM504551 |
| • Edinburgh | 120 mi (193 km) |
| • London | 427 mi (687 km) |
| Civil parish | |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ISLE OF MULL |
| Postcode district | PA75 |
| Dialling code | 01688 |
| Police | Scotland |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
| 56°37′N6°04′W / 56.62°N 6.07°W /56.62; -6.07 | |
Tobermory (/ˌtoʊbərˈmɔːri/;Scottish Gaelic:Tobar Mhoire)[2] is the capital of, and until 1973 the onlyburgh on, theIsle of Mull in the ScottishInner Hebrides. It is located on the east coast of Mishnish, the most northerly part of the island, near the northern entrance of theSound of Mull. The town was founded as afishing port in 1788; its layout was based on the designs ofDumfriesshire engineerThomas Telford. As of 2022 its population was 1,045.[3] It is notable as the location for the 2002–05 children's programmeBalamory by the BBC.
The nameTobermory is derived from theGaelicTobar Mhoire, meaning "Mary's well".[4][5] The name refers to a well located nearby which was dedicated in ancient times to theVirgin Mary.[6]
Archaeological excavations have taken place at Baliscate just outside of the town. The site was first noted by Hylda Marsh and Beverley Langhorn as part of the Scotland's Rural Past.[7] In 2009, it was partially excavated byTime Team[8] and a further longer excavation took place in 2012 as part of a community archaeology project through the Mull Museum.[7]
The different excavations found that there was a sixth-century agricultural settlement which was either adopted or replaced by a seventh-century Christian community with a chapel and cemetery. In the late 11th or early 12th century, a stone and turf structure was built which was probably a longhouse or hall. Then, in the late 13th or early 14th century, a wattle and turf structure was built over these earlier structures. That then burnt down and was replaced by a new stone and turf structure. It was used from the 16th to 19th century intermittently. All of which showed that people had been living and working in the Tobermory area for over 1,000 years before the town was founded.[7]
The site is now a listed monument.[9]
Legend has it that the wreck of a Spanishgalleon, laden with gold, lies somewhere in the mud at the bottom of Tobermory Bay—although the ship's true identity, and cargo, are in dispute. By some accounts, theFlorencia (orFlorida, orSan Francisco), a member of the defeatedSpanish Armada fleeing the English fleet in 1588, anchored in Tobermory to take on provisions. Following a dispute over payment (or possibly, according to local folklore, a spell cast by the witchDòideag), the ship caught fire and the gunpowdermagazine exploded, sinking the vessel. In her hold, reputedly, was £300,000 worth ofgold bullion.[10]Other sources claim the vessel was theSan Juan de Sicilia (orSan Juan de Baptista), which, records indicate, carried troops, not treasure.[11][12][13]Whatever the true story, no significant treasure has ever been recovered in Tobermory Bay.[14]
Seventeenth-century efforts to salvage the treasure are well-documented. TheDuke of Lennox gifted rights to Spanish wrecks near Tobermory to theMarquess of Argyll. In 1666, his son theEarl of Argyll engaged James Maule of Melgum to usediving bells to find treasure, and recover the valuable brass cannon. Maule had learnt diving in Sweden, but raised only two brass guns and an iron cannon, and left after three months. It was later said he had hoped to return, thinking he was the only expert diver. Argyll however raised six cannon by workmen under his direction, and next employed John Saint Clare, or Sinclair, son of the minister ofOrmiston, in 1676 and a German sub-contractor Hans Albricht van Treileben, who had worked on the wreck of theVasa. The next year, the earl transferred the rights to Captain Adolpho E. Smith and Treileben. At this period the fore-part of the wreck was visible above water, and was called theAdmiral of Florence. The project was beset with difficulties in 1678; the Admiralty disputed Argyll's rights to the wreck. Captain Adolpho Smith refused to return the diving equipment to William Campbell, captain of the earl's frigate, theAnna of Argyll. The McLean clan fought the divers on land at Tobermory, led by Hector McLean, brother of Lachlan McLean of Torloisk.[15]
The largest attempt made to locate the galleon was in 1950 whenthe then Duke of Argyll signed a contract with theBritish Admiralty to locate the galleon. Nothing came of the attempt, apart from the development of equipment still used today to locate ancient sunk vessels.[16]Owing to similarities in sailing conditions, in the mid-1800s emigrant sailors created the community ofTobermory inOntario, Canada. This namesake town has twin harbours, known locally as "Big Tub" and "Little Tub", which sheltered ships from the severe storms ofLake Huron.
.jpg)
During theSecond World War, Tobermory was home to theRoyal Navy training baseHMSWestern Isles, under the command of the legendaryVice admiral SirGilbert Stephenson, the so-called "Terror of Tobermory". His biography was written by broadcasterRichard Baker, who trained under him.[17][18]
As of 2003, 71% of Tobermory residents were born in Scotland, 23% in England and 6% elsewhere.[19]
Many of the buildings on Main Street, predominantly shops and restaurants, are painted in various bright colours, making it a popular location for television programmes, such as the children's showBalamory. Theburgh hosts the Mull Museum, theTobermory whisky distillery (and from 2005 to 2009 there was also abrewery, the Isle of Mull brewing company)[20] as well as Mull Aquarium, the first catch and releaseaquarium in Europe.[21]The clock tower on the harbour wall is a noted landmark. The town also contains anarts centre, An Tobar, the management of which was merged withMull Theatre in 2012 to form the umbrella arts organisationComar.[22] The theatre remains, based just outside Tobermory in Drumfin, and is used by youth and adult dance and drama groups, hosting a wide variety of performances.[23] Staffa Tours popular boat tours leave from Tobermory to visit the Treshnish Isles and Fingals Cave on Staffa.
Tobermorite, acalcium silicate hydrate found near Tobermory in 1880, was named after the town.[24]
The visit of thecomposerFelix Mendelssohn in 1829, en route toStaffa, is commemorated in the annualMendelssohn on Mull Festival.[28]Other highlights of the town's calendar include an annual Traditional Music Festival held on the last weekend in April, the localMòd, which takes place on the second Saturday in September and has established itself as one of the best local Mòds on the circuit, the Mull Fiddler's Rally, also in September, and the traditional MullHighland Games held every summer.
The fictional town of Torbay inAlistair MacLean's novelWhen Eight Bells Toll was based on Tobermory, and much of the 1971 movie was filmed in the town and other parts of Mull. The writerSaki gave the name to a cat taught to speak English in one of his most famous short stories.[29] and two well-loved children's TV series have made use of the town's name.Elisabeth Beresford called one ofThe Wombles 'Tobermory', and more recently the town played host to its almost-namesakeBalamory for three years (2002–2005).Other films made in the area include the 1945Powell and Pressburger classicI Know Where I'm Going!.In the 44 Scotland Street series by Alexander McCall Smith (1933–), volume 7 - titledBertie Plays the Blues[30] - has baby triplets named Tobermory, Rognvald, and Fergus.In the children's animated feature,Nocturna, the Cat Shepherd's faithful cat, is called Tobermory.
Ferries sail between Tobermory and the mainland toKilchoan on theArdnamurchan peninsula, but principal access to the island is via ferry betweenOban and Craignure. Craignure is around 22 miles (35 kilometres) from Tobermory. This is the main route for visitors to the island. An additional ferry sails between Lochaline on the mainland and Fishnish.
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
| Main settlements |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Smaller settlements | ||
| Geographical features | ||
| History and architecture | ||
| Local culture and economy | ||
| Surrounding islands | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
