A Historic Inn at the Gateway to Mull
On the eastern shore of the Isle of Mull, in the village of Craignure, the Craignure Inn stands just south of the ferry pier overlooking the Sound of Mull. According to architectural records identify it as an 18th century inn, and sources confirm it was operational by the early 1700s. Its white harled walls and slated gabled roof provide a distinctive presence within the village. Over more than three centuries, the inn has welcomed travellers of every kind while preserving its historic character, reflecting the island’s changing patterns of movement and commerce.
Origins in the Early 18th Century
During the early 1700s, Mull’s economy relied heavily on agriculture, and the movement of livestock was central to the island’s trade. As a result, drovers regularly guided cattle and sheep along established routes toward mainland markets, requiring dependable stopping points for rest and preparation. The Craignure Inn emerged in this context, providing food, drink, and shelter for men engaged in transporting livestock across the island’s challenging terrain. Furthermore, Its coastal location offered access to onward transport, making it a practical staging point for the crossing to the mainland.
Historical guides and pub registers consistently describe the building as an 18th century drovers’ inn. This classification confirms its original role and anchors the inn firmly within the agricultural life of Mull, demonstrating its longstanding function within the local economy.
Architectural Form and Highland Construction
The Craignure Inn exemplifies traditional Highland building methods of the 18th century. Architectural records describe a two-storey main block flanked by one-and-a-half-storey wings. The exterior features white harling, a lime-based render that protects the stone masonry from coastal weather, and a slated roof with simple gabled ends. This practical and durable construction allowed the inn to withstand the harsh climate while maintaining a balanced and recognizable appearance within the village.
Inside, the layout reflects its working past. The current public bar occupies what once served as the stable area, showing how the building’s design accommodated both travellers and animals. Adaptations for hospitality purposes have preserved the essential arrangement, allowing the inn to communicate its historical function through daily use.
The Construction of the Ferry Pier in 1894
In 1894, the first formal ferry pier was constructed at Craignure, establishing the village as Mull’s principal mainland gateway. The pier increased the volume of passengers and goods arriving by sea, introducing a broader range of travellers to the area. Situated just south of the pier, the Craignure Inn became a convenient location for ferry passengers, sailors, and other visitors, extending its service beyond the agricultural community to meet the needs of maritime traffic.
The arrival of regular ferry services added a new chapter to the inn’s history while maintaining its original structure. The building continued to serve food, drink, and lodging for both drovers and maritime travellers without major alterations, retaining its white harled façade and gabled roof that reflect its 18th century origins.
Recognition Through Listing in 1971
In 1971, the Craignure Inn was granted Category B listed status, recognising its regional importance and protecting its architectural and historic character. The listing specifically covers the harled walls, gabled roof, and essential layout of the original structure. This protection ensures that the building remains a surviving example of an 18th century Highland drovers’ inn and that any alterations respect its historic fabric.
Twentieth Century Operation and Community Role
Throughout the 20th century, the Craignure Inn continued to operated as a pub and small hotel at the centre of village life. While owners introduced modern facilities to meet contemporary expectations, the historic shell and essential layout of the building remained intact. The Category B listing ensured careful stewardship of its architectural character during these updates.
The inn also served as a social centre for the Craignure community. Residents and visitors gathered in its bar and dining areas, continuing a tradition of hospitality that dates back to the early 1700s. Furthermore, Its location along the main transport route reinforced its ongoing role in connecting people across Mull.
Recent Additions and Ongoing Use
In recent decades, operators added further accommodation adjacent to the historic inn, including a modern bunkhouse. The 18th century building remains the core of the establishment, with new additions complementing rather than replacing the original structure. The continued use of the former stable area as the public bar maintains a tangible link to the building’s early purpose and demonstrates careful adaptation over time.
Literary Association with Kidnapped
The Craignure Inn also holds a documented literary connection. Scholars identify it as the real-life inspiration for the “Inn of Torosay” in Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 novel Kidnapped. Sources confirm that the fictional inn corresponds to the Craignure Inn under the old parish name of Torosay, aligning chronologically with the inn’s early years of operation.
Kidnapped is a classic novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, first published in 1886. The story follows the adventures of young David Balfour as he is kidnapped and taken on a journey of self-discovery. Along the way, he meets a notorious pirate, Alan Breck, and together they face many dangers, including shipwreck and capture by the English. David learns the value of courage, friendship and loyalty as he fights to survive and reclaim his rightful inheritance. With unexpected twists and turns, Kidnapped is a thrilling tale of adventure and self-discovery.
This association places the inn within Scotland’s literary landscape, in addition to its architectural and historical significance. Visitors interested in the history of Mull and Stevenson’s work can observe the building that inspired a well-known setting in 18th century Scottish fiction.
More Than Three Centuries of Documented History
From its confirmed operation in the early 1700s to its present role as a pub and hotel, the Craignure Inn demonstrates sustained continuity. Initially serving drovers and their livestock, it adapted to maritime travel after the construction of the ferry pier in 1894. Throughout the 20th century, it remained central to village life, offering hospitality to residents and visitors alike.
Architectural records consistently identify the building as an 18th century inn, and the Category B listing confirms its regional importance. The survival of its harled walls, slated roof, gabled form, and historic layout allows the structure to communicate its origins clearly. Situated just south of the pier that reshaped Craignure, the inn continues to reflect Mull’s early 18th century past and the generations who have passed through its doors.
Please note the Craignure Inn is currently closed.
