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Daily Record
15 hours ago
- Daily Record
Scots seaside town with vivid harbourfront named among 'most colourful' places on Earth
The island town hosted Prince William and Princess Kate on their 14th wedding anniversary earlier this year. A picturesque seaside town in Scotland has been named one of the most colourful places on the planet. The popular beauty spot outranking several European favourites as it cemented its place as a world-class holiday destination. Tobermory, the vibrant capital of the Isle of Mull, has been ranked 11th in a global list of the 25 most colourful locations. The results came following a study by travel insurance specialists Staysure. Its iconic harbourfront, lined with cheerful buildings in vivid reds, oranges, yellows and blues, has long made it a favourite with visitors, and now its rainbow palette has been officially recognised on the world stage. Originally painted in bright colours to help fishermen spot their homes in misty weather, Tobermory's charming seafront has also served as the filming location for the children's television series Balamory, which is returning after two decades. Colour psychology expert Karen Haller said: "Tobermory's cheerful waterfront houses bring a burst of colour to Scotland's west coast, creating a sense of warmth and welcome even on the coldest days. Painted in strong red, yellow, blue and black, the buildings have become iconic alongside the harbourfront and even served as the filming location for the television series Balamory. "Many guidebooks and travel resources describe them as adding notable cheer to the town during its long, grey winters." The Staysure team created a ChromaTravel Index to rank the most colourful travel hotspots. Using daylight pictures, the destinations were analysed for things like saturation, vibrancy, and hue variation. Haller then added her expertise and each location was given a score out of 100 based on how visually vivid it is. Tobermory was the top spot in the UK, with Portmeirion in Gwynedd, Wales, and Brighton, England, both in the top 20. Chefchaouen, Morocco's famous "Blue City", came in top spot in the ChromaTravel Index. The colourful waterfront of Nyhavn in Copenhagen, Denmark, was second and Bo-Kapp, a vibrant neighbourhood in Cape Town, South Africa, rounded out the top three. But Tobermory, whose original Gaelic name Tobar Mhoire means 'Well of Mary', is much more than just a pretty face. Its waters are teeming with wildlife, making it a hotspot for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Boat trips from the harbour give visitors a chance to see minke whales, basking sharks and bottlenose dolphins. Wildlife operator Sea Life Mull also offers guided excursions for those hoping to catch a glimpse of Scotland's marine giants in their natural habitat. Back on land, Tobermory is packed with attractions and activities to suit all interests. One of the most popular is the scenic two-hour walk from the village to the Rubha nan Gall Lighthouse. The trail hugs the coastline, providing breathtaking views across the sea and a peaceful way to explore the island. For those looking to unwind, Tobermory Distillery offers the perfect stop. Founded in 1798 and located right in the heart of the town, the distillery is one of Scotland's oldest and most iconic. Visitors can enjoy tastings of its signature whiskies while learning about over 200 years of craftsmanship. 'Tobermory, capital of Mull, is one of the prettiest ports in Scotland, thanks to the colourful houses and a sheltered bay where legend has it one of the Spanish Armada ships sank in 1588 carrying gold bullion,' says VisitScotland. Built as a fishing port in 1788 and designed by engineer Thomas Telford, the town hugs the harbour and climbs up into the hillside beyond. Its Main Street offers an array of independent shops, cafés, restaurants, guest houses and galleries, showcasing local arts and crafts. Cultural highlights include the Mull Museum, which delves into the island's history, and the An Tobar art gallery and live music venue. Nearby Mull Theatre stages a variety of plays and comedies throughout the year. The Mull Aquarium, also in the village, features marine exhibits and educational displays. For golfers, Tobermory has a nine-hole cliff-top course with panoramic views over the Ardnamurchan Peninsula and, on clear days, all the way to the Isle of Skye. Just outside the village, visitors will find local craft shops and walking routes leading to ancient monuments and forts, while Sgriob-ruadh Farm is renowned for producing the award-winning Isle of Mull Cheese. The town's charm hasn't gone unnoticed by royalty. Earlier this year, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Tobermory to mark their 14th wedding anniversary. Cheering crowds greeted William and Kate as they arrived on Mull, a place they had visited before during their university days at St Andrews. Rank Destination Country Colour Score / 100 1 Chefchaouen Morocco 73.09 2 Nyhavn, Copenhagen Denmark 72.88 3 Bo Kaap, Cape Town South Africa 72.05 4 Balat, Istanbul Province Turkey 70.94 5 Burano Italy 70.42 6 Hoi An Vietnam 68.56 7 Kampung, Warna-Warni, Jodipan Indonesia 68.16 8 Antigua Guatemala 67.25 9 Jaipur India 66.90 10 La Boca, Buenos Aires Argentina 66.52 11 Tobermory, Mull Scotland 65.06 12 Menton, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur France 64.87 13 Portmeirion, Gwynedd Wales 64.16 14 Valparaiso Chile 62.09 15 Juzcar, Málaga Spain 61.63 16 Gamecheon, Busan South Korea 60.50 17 Guanajuato Mexico 60.18 18 Little India Singapore 58.31 19 Brighton England 58.15 20 Guatape Colombia 57.96 21 Porto Portugal 57.94 22 Rio de Janeiro Brazil 57.53 23 Wroclaw Poland 57.31 24 Gamla Stan, Stockholm Sweden 55.56 25 Havana Cuba 54.34 26 Willemstad Curaçao 53.30
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Pretty UK seaside town is named 'one of the most colourful places on Earth'
The charming village is officially one of the most colourful places in the world - making it the perfect spot for your next holiday. A delightful coastal town in Scotland has been scientifically ranked as one of the most vibrant places on the planet, making it an ideal destination for your next getaway. Tobermory, tucked away on Scotland's west coast, has outshone renowned European competitors to secure a place in the top 25 most colourful locations worldwide - a testament to the quality of British holidays. Ranked at number 11, this seaside hamlet on the Isle of Mull is awash with vivid reds, oranges, radiant yellows and sharp blues, courtesy of its lively waterfront residences. The brightly coloured houses lining the harbour were designed to help fishermen identify their homes and local businesses from the harbour or while at sea, particularly in foggy or cloudy conditions. These buildings are a signature sight along the harbourfront and even served as the backdrop for the television series Balamory. In addition to its stunning homes, one of Tobermory's main draws is its wildlife. Boat tours around the bay provide visitors with picturesque cruises. The more daring tourists can join Sea Life Mull for a chance to spot minke whales, basking sharks, and bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat, reports the Express. There's also plenty to keep you occupied back on dry land. One of the most popular attractions is the two-hour walking trail that leads tourists from the village to Rubha nan Gall Lighthouse. The path meanders along the coastline, offering breathtaking views over the ocean. If you're more inclined towards a laid-back experience, the renowned Tobermory Distillery might be just your cup of tea, offering some of the finest whisky on offer. This iconic Scottish distillery, founded in 1798, is conveniently nestled in the town centre. Guests can delve into the fascinating 200 year old history of whisky production and naturally, savour some of the top-notch spirits.
