Scots seaside town with vivid harbourfront named among 'most colourful' places on Earth
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
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