Mull, Staffa & Iona

Today we will drive through the spectacular scenery of the Ross of Mull to Fionnphort, from where we cross as foot passengers to the ‘sacred isle’ of Iona. Here you have the opportunity to visit the Abbey and wander over the island, taking in the atmosphere of calm and contemplation which attracts visitors from all over the world.

Dinner is served back at our hotel in the evening.

After our full Scottish breakfast we will depart for Tobermory, the island’s ‘capital’, whose multi-hued buildings lining the waterfront will be familiar from a hundred calendars. This is the starting point for our wildlife cruise to the Treshnish Isles and Staffa, during which we can expect sightings of Whales, Dolphins, Basking Sharks, Puffins and Sea Eagles. After a one hour sail, we land on the idyllic Isle of Lunga, the largest of the Treshnish Isles. Surrounded by wildflowers and stunning scenery, the main attraction that can be seen close up is the large Puffin colony nesting in burrows in the grassy hillside. These comical birds are incredibly inquisitive and will come within a few metres of you. Lunga is also a popular habitat to an ever increasing number of Guillemot, Razorbill, Kittiwake, Fulmar, Shag, Great Skua and a Seal colony.

After spending up two hours ashore exploring the Treshnish Isles, we take the short 15 minute crossing to the geological wonder of Staffa, which was formed by volcanic eruptions over 50 million years ago. As the basaltic lava cooled it formed an extraordinary pattern of predominantly hexagonal columns which form the faces and walls of the principal caves. We will have around an hour ashore to explore the island, in particular the massive natural cathedral known as Fingal’s Cave, following in the footsteps of illustrious tourists from Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson to Jules Verne and Queen Victoria.

Please note this tour does not land on the Treshnish Isles after the seabirds have left the islands (they leave in the middle of August) however it still offers a scenic sail through these islands en route to a landing visit to Staffa.

(Please note a reasonable degree of mobility is required to go ashore but the less adventurous are welcome to stay on board. There is a toilet on board and a packed lunch is included.) 

We sail back to Tobermory and return by coach to our hotel in time for dinner.

Following breakfast we will visit Duart Castle, the 13^th century home of the Chief of Clan MacLean. We can explore the dungeons, the state rooms and appreciate the strategic position of the castle from the top of the keep. Thereafter we will take the short ferry crossing from Fishnish to Lochaline and drive through the magnificent mountain scenery of Morvern, before crossing Loch Linnhe by the Corran ferry and continuing our homeward journey via Glen Coe and Loch Lomond, arriving back at our original pick-up points during the evening.