Mull and the Isle of Iona and the Abbey Tours

The first part of the tour passes through beautiful Perthshire to Crieff, famous for its whisky, and up to Loch Earn, in the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Continuing west to Oban, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the south side of Loch Etive and smoked salmon from the local smokehouse.

Heading onwards, we reach Oban and its spectacular views over to the Isle of Mull. Mull is the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides and the largest island in the area of Argyll and Bute. It is the first of the Inner Hebrides islands which we will visit, crossing the Sound of Mull by ferry.

After disembarking at Craignure, we turn left along the single-track road to Fionnphort. There is a good chance of spotting some highland ‘coos’ as we travel through Mull's magnificent scenery on the short journey to Fionnphort, where we will enjoy our first overnight stay at Achnacriche House.

Itinerary

• Pick-up in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, or Perth
• The Village of Taynuilt
• Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
• Oban
• Argyll and Bute
• Inner Hebrides Islands
• Short Ferry Crossing to Port Craignure in the Isle of Mull
• Return via Fionnphort for an Overnight Stay at Achaban House
• 3-Course Meal at Achnacriche Restaurant (Full Breakfast Available on Day Two)

Starting the morning in Fionnphort harbour, we board the foot ferry for a short crossing to the sacred isle of Iona, taking in the glorious scenery on the way. This beautiful island, home to the iconic Iona Abbey, is one of the oldest Christian religious centres in Western Europe.

Elsewhere, on the island of Staffa, we offer the opportunity to visit Fingal’s Cave, a sea cave known for its natural acoustics and fascinating hexagonal basalt columns. Composer Felix Mendelssohn visited Staffa Island, where he jotted his first notes of the Hebrides Overture, Fingalsӧhle (Fingal’s Cave). Allocated time ashore is around two hours, depending on the tides.

There may also be a chance, depending on the time of year of your visit, to see puffins. May to early August are the best months to see the colony and watch the puffins searching for sand eels to feed their young, making this a worthwhile trip for any nature lover. These delightful and comical-looking little birds spend some months entirely at sea, leaving their colonies towards the end of July- August.

We will continue to Tobermory for our second overnight resting place, MacKay’s Guest House.

Itinerary

• Set off from Fionnphort
• Short Foot Ferry Crossing to the Isles of Iona
• Iona Abbey
• Island of Staffa and Fingal’s Cave
• Dining at The Ninth Wave, an Award-Winning Game and Seafood Restaurant on the Isle of Mull
• Return to Tobermory for an Overnight Stay at MacKay’s Guest House in Oban (Full Breakfast Available on Day Three)

Continuing the route back to Craignure, we catch the ferry back to the mainland. En route, we can arrange a private tour of the legendary Inverawe Smokehouse before heading on to Kilchurn Castle.

The castle’s dramatic location at the head of Loch Awe, with the peak of Ben Cruachan visible, is one of the most photographed locations in Scotland. The inscription over the front door recognises John Earl of Breadalbane and his wife, Countess Mary Campbell, and contains the date of 1693. From the top of Kilchurn Castle, you can see the original territory of Clan Campbell.

As we head back to Crianlarich, we will travel further down into the Trossachs and Loch Lomond area, which is steeped in history, famous events, and notable individuals like Robert the Bruce, William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots, and Rob Roy MacGregor. Sir Walter Scott and other novelists have told their stories, and they have also been immortalised in films such as Braveheart, Mary Queen Of Scots, and Rob Roy.

Itinerary

• Set off from Tobermory
• Ferry Crossing to the Mainland
• Private Tour of Inverawe Smokehouse Available
• Kilchurn Castle
• Return Trip and Drop-off in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, or Perth

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