Best things to do in Calgary, including free and rainy-day options

Calgary is a hamlet on the northwest coast of Mull, known for one long white-sand beach, Calgary Bay, and for Calgary Arts, a small gallery and craft shop in the old school. There is no castle, no distillery and no town centre to speak of. Treat it as a two-to-three-hour stop on a Mull driving day, or a half-day if you want to walk the coast path north of the bay.

It suits travellers with a car who are already on Mull and want a beach plus a short walk. It does not suit anyone trying to see Mull by public transport in one day, or anyone expecting a resort.

Pick by how much time you have and what the weather is doing. Everything below is within a few minutes of the beach car park.

Calgary Bay is the reason most people come. It is a broad arc of pale sand with rocky edges, backed by low cliffs and machair. The water is clear and shallow near the shore, which makes it good for a quick dip on a warm day, but this is the Atlantic: expect it cold even in August. There are no lifeguards, no shops on the sand and no bins to speak of, so take everything back with you.

The coast path runs north from the beach towards the headland and gives you the best views back over the bay. It is rough in places and can be muddy after rain; trainers or boots are better than sandals. South of the beach, a shorter path leads to a small wooded gorge and waterfall, a good option when the wind is up on the sand.

Calgary Arts occupies the old school building a short walk from the beach. It shows work by local and visiting artists and sells prints, ceramics and textiles. Opening is seasonal and limited, so check before you build a day around it.

Beyond the hamlet, the practical draws are further along the same road: Tobermory to the northeast for the distillery, the museum and the harbour, and Fionnphort to the southwest for the ferry to Iona. Both are separate trips rather than things to do in Calgary itself.

The beach and the coast path are free. The main costs on a Calgary day are transport and food, since there is little to spend money on in the hamlet itself. Figures below are 2026 estimates and depend on where you start.

Go early or late. The car park above the beach is small and fills on sunny summer afternoons; mornings are quieter and the light is better for photos.

Check the weather before you commit. Mull's west coast catches Atlantic rain, and a beach day can turn in an hour. Keep the gallery and Tobermory as your wet-weather fallback.

Drive with passing places in mind. The road west of Salen is single-track; pull into the left-hand passing place to let faster traffic and locals past, and do not park in them.

Fill up and stock up before you go. Fuel and groceries are easier to find in Salen, Tobermory or Craignure than around Calgary.

Take layers and midge repellent. Even a warm afternoon turns cool when the wind comes off the sea.