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Path to this page:What's the story, Balamory?
If you haven't heard of Balamory, you probably haven't got a child under school age. They'll love you forever if you to take them to the 'real' Balamory - otherwise known as Tobermory, the colourful capital of the Inner Hebridean island of Mull, and the setting for the hit BBC show aimed at the under sixes.
You are in section:
Inspire Me!
Path to this page:What's the story, Balamory?
If you haven't heard of Balamory, you probably haven't got a child under school age. They'll love you forever if you to take them to the 'real' Balamory - otherwise known as Tobermory, the colourful capital of the Inner Hebridean island of Mull, and the setting for the hit BBC show aimed at the under sixes.
With a cast as colourful as the houses in which they live, the action centres around the antics of PC Plum, Archie the Inventor, Spencer the Painter, Miss Hoolie the schoolteacher, Edie McCredie the bus driver, Penny Pocket, who helps Suzi Sweet in her shop and Josie Jump who keeps everyone fit.
What's the story in Balamory?
Tobermory is an ideal base for any young family visiting Mull. All the houses featured in the programme, with the exception of Archie the Inventor's pink castle (which is in North Berwick), are to be found in the town. Local tourist group, Holiday Mull and the area tourist board have produced a useful leaflet, What's the Story in Balamory? which acts as a building-by-building guide to where all the characters live and work. On Western Road, is the Harbour Heights Hotel, which plays fitness instructor Josie Jump's home in the series. Other buildings of interest featured in the series include Penny Pocket and Suzie Sweet's shop on the Main Street, which is actually the booking office for the local theatre company and the fire station on Breadalbane Street. On the Main Street, is Edie McCredie's house, which is suitably close to the bus station. Once the children have explored Tobermory's colourful houses, there is no shortage of activities on the island to keep them occupied. One unmissable treat is taking a trip on Balamory Express. Otherwise known as the Mull Rail, the steam engine chugs its merry way between the ferry terminal at Craignure and Torosay Castle, just a mile and a half away. The Mull Rail makes regular appearances on Balamory, as does 'Grumpy Engine Driver' Dave, in real life Dave Moseley, who is the engineer who keeps Mull Rail fully operational.
Family fun beyond Balamory
Even without the attractions offered by the TV series, there's still loads for families to enjoy on Mull. A must-do for any child visiting the island is The Quest, an adventure project which sees the participating child receiving a Magic Stone of Mull on completion of all the assigned tasks. Consisting of a series of Treasure Hunts, each challenge has been devised an individual tourism operator, and so the style, form and objective of the mission varies. The Quest aims to introduce children to features of the island they might not normally notice. Tasks include finding hidden objects, identifying wildlife and working out words in Gaelic. Another favourite haunt of young families visiting Mull is Duart Castle, which has featured in a recent episode of another ratings-busting BBC children's series, The Tweenies. Would-be warriors can explore the family home of the Clan Maclean, from the keep to its dank dungeons and up to the battlements. And every Sunday, there are children's activities such as story-telling, juggling or a treasure hunt. Throughout the island, the wildlife is amazing and you can always take a boat trip to see how many grey seals you can spot. You might even be lucky and catch a whale or a dolphin skimming past the boat.
What's the story in Balamory?
Tobermory is an ideal base for any young family visiting Mull. All the houses featured in the programme, with the exception of Archie the Inventor's pink castle (which is in North Berwick), are to be found in the town. Local tourist group, Holiday Mull and the area tourist board have produced a useful leaflet, What's the Story in Balamory? which acts as a building-by-building guide to where all the characters live and work. On Western Road, is the Harbour Heights Hotel, which plays fitness instructor Josie Jump's home in the series. Other buildings of interest featured in the series include Penny Pocket and Suzie Sweet's shop on the Main Street, which is actually the booking office for the local theatre company and the fire station on Breadalbane Street. On the Main Street, is Edie McCredie's house, which is suitably close to the bus station. Once the children have explored Tobermory's colourful houses, there is no shortage of activities on the island to keep them occupied. One unmissable treat is taking a trip on Balamory Express. Otherwise known as the Mull Rail, the steam engine chugs its merry way between the ferry terminal at Craignure and Torosay Castle, just a mile and a half away. The Mull Rail makes regular appearances on Balamory, as does 'Grumpy Engine Driver' Dave, in real life Dave Moseley, who is the engineer who keeps Mull Rail fully operational.
Family fun beyond Balamory
Even without the attractions offered by the TV series, there's still loads for families to enjoy on Mull. A must-do for any child visiting the island is The Quest, an adventure project which sees the participating child receiving a Magic Stone of Mull on completion of all the assigned tasks. Consisting of a series of Treasure Hunts, each challenge has been devised an individual tourism operator, and so the style, form and objective of the mission varies. The Quest aims to introduce children to features of the island they might not normally notice. Tasks include finding hidden objects, identifying wildlife and working out words in Gaelic. Another favourite haunt of young families visiting Mull is Duart Castle, which has featured in a recent episode of another ratings-busting BBC children's series, The Tweenies. Would-be warriors can explore the family home of the Clan Maclean, from the keep to its dank dungeons and up to the battlements. And every Sunday, there are children's activities such as story-telling, juggling or a treasure hunt. Throughout the island, the wildlife is amazing and you can always take a boat trip to see how many grey seals you can spot. You might even be lucky and catch a whale or a dolphin skimming past the boat.
