Mull, Iona & Highlands 4 Day Tour
4 Day tour that encompasses the isles of Mull and Iona as well as the glories of the Western Highlands. Departs from Edinburgh on Tuesdays through summer with 3 nights in Tobermory. (see dates) Accommodation included!
- Overnight stays on Mull in Tobermory
- Visit to Iona and Abbey
- Visit to Kilmartin Glen
- Argyll & Western Highlands
~ Glencoe and the West Highlands ~ Taking the ferry across the Sound of Mull ~ The colourful harbour town of Tobermory ~ Iona with its ancient Abbey ~ Remote beaches at Calgary Bay ~ Kilmartin Glen standing stones ~ Inveraray
Day 1
Depart Edinburgh and travel north past Stirling Castle to the small town of Callander the shadows of the Trossachs. From here you continue through the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and the bristling terrain of the Trossachs, before reaching the wide and remote expanse of Rannoch Moor, one of the largest and most barren wildernesses in Europe. After a thirty drive across this largely uninhabited moor we arrive in Glencoe, scene of the infamous massacre of Clan MacDonald in 1692, before we take a short ferry ride across Loch Linnhe, where you then meander through the impressive mountains of Morven. At the little port of Lochaline we take another ferry to the Hebridean island of Mull where a short drive brings us to the charming little fishing port of Tobermory, the island’s capital, for your 3 night stay. Tobermory, which means "Well of Mary", is one of the prettiest harbour towns in Scotland with its brightly painted houses overlooking the sea.
Day 2
This is a leisurely day, with a meandering drive to the more remote areas of the island. We visit the pretty settlement of Dervaig, with its own festival theatre, and Kilmore Church, with its round steeple. From here we will venture to the wild sandy shores of Calgary Bay. (By the way, Calgary in Canada takes its name from here). If you are lucky you might see the sea eagles or golden eagles that live in this area and build their eyries high on the rocky cliffs. An early afternoon return to Tobermory will allow us the opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of this pretty town, with a chance to peruse the small shops, and perhaps take a visit and enjoy a dram at the local Tobermory Whisky Distillery.
Day 3
Today we will bask in the highland landscape of Mull, as we head south to Fionnport, where we take a passenger ferry to the small Island of Iona. Iona is an island of quiet charm, lapped by glorious torquoise waters. It is the cradle of Celtic Christianity, with the arrival of St Columba in 563AD. Plenty of time will be given to explore the island where you can visit the Abbey and its museum of history and Celtic heritage. Visit the magnificent Celtic crosses and headstones, or enjoy a stroll along the peaceful sandy beaches.
In the afternoon there is the opportunity to take a small boat to the Island of Staffa, where nature enthusiasts may be able to spot the abundant marine life. Staffa, with its basalt columns of 5 and 6 sided hexagonal stepping stones, and Fingal’s Cave is the most amazing tribute to the effects of nature and has been called "Nature’s Cathedral". After a day in the great outdoors you return to Tobermory for the night.
Day 4
Departing Tobermory we head south to Craignure, the main ferry terminal for a short crossing to Oban, the biggest town in Argyll. From here we head to Kilmartin Glen, and a chance to explore an area known as "the valley of ghosts" with its standing stones and Neolithic burial chambers. Continuing west, we arrive in the white washed 18th century town of Inveraray on the shores of Loch Fyne. Inveraray Castle is a mixture of Scots Baronial and Neo Gothic architecture and is the seat of Clan Campbell and home to the Duke of Argyll. The castle also featured in a recent episode of ‘ Downtown Abbey’. After leaving the town you arrive in the National Park of Loch Lomond and climb up more than 800 feet to the’ Rest and Be Thankful’ pass, before hugging the shores of Loch Long and Loch Lomond itself. You continue to drive East towards Stirling, with opportunities for impressive photos of the castle, before we return to Edinburgh in the early evening.
Inclusions
Includes Accommodation
Travel in climate controlled mini coach (16-24 seater)
Drive/Guide
The Little Details
- Minimum Age: Age 5+
- Min Age: 5 years
- Months of Operation: May, June, July, August, September, October
- Duration of Tour: 4 days
- Departure Point: Edinburgh
- Departure Time: 09:00
- Expected return Time: 19:00
- Duration of Tour: 4 days
Rates & Dates
Departure Dates:
Tuesdays from 2nd May until 10th October excluding 20th June and 4th July.
Rates:
| B&B | B&B Single | Hotel | Hotel Single | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April & May | 369 | 439 | 449 | 499 |
| June-October | 379 | 449 | 459 | 499 |
Please note that child rates are available as well.
Booking Notes
Accommodation options include either B&B or Hotel accommodation in Tobermory. Booking price includes your accommodation with breakfast in B&B. We can upgrade to hotel accommodation as required.
Some Places We Will Visit
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Tobermory
Mull's largest resort, built in the 18th century. Tobermory's a classic fisherman's village whose multi-coloured houses are picture postcard pretty.
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Isle of Iona
Iona is a small island - barely three miles long and a little over a mile wide - but its importance to Christianity is out of all proportion to its size.
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Rannoch Moor
50 square miles of boggy and peaty moorland that separates the southern highland line from the Glencoe Massif. An SSSI and one of Britain's few wild uninhabited places.
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Glencoe
Dramatic landscape with a dramatic history. Few who visit the glen are unmoved by its majesty and power.
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West Coast of Mull & Dervaig
Guide to Mull's West Coast including Staffa, Dervaig, Calgary Bay and the Treshnish Isles.
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Kilmartin Glen
Kilmartin Glen is the site of an incredible 350 ancient monuments. These sites - which include 150 prehistoric monuments all lie within a six-mile radius of Kilmartin village itself.
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Kilmartin
Kilmartin village sits in the centre of Kilmartin Glen which is home to an astonishing 350 different monuments all within a few miles. The village includes the trust museum and the church
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Inveraray
Inveraray is the classic 18th-century planned town (don't call it a village), with its straight wide streets and dignified Georgian houses, and enjoys the most stunning of settings, on the shores of Loch Fyne.
Castle Visited
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Inveraray Castle
Home to Clan Campbell's chief and a substantial baronial pile built in 1743 on the site of previous castle. Open to visitors and includes lovely gardens.
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