Drive & Hike: Oban, Mull and Iona

Arrive in the bustling town of Oban, the seafood capital of Scotland. Spend your day exploring this magnificent town, no trip to Oban is complete without the short but steep walk up to Mccaig's Tower giving spectacular views across the Oban Bay and towards Mull and Iona. Round the day off with a visit to the world-famous Oban Distillery and dine in one of the many fine seafood establishments dotted all around town. 

Your journey to Mull & Iona begins as you depart Oban on the ferry crossing to Mull. As you pass the Island of Kerrera you start to see porpoises rolling in the turbulent waters while gannets and gulls lead you on to the port of Craignure in Mull. The journey to Fionnphort for the passenger ferry to the Isle of Iona is a delight, the roads are quiet and the scenery dramatic. There is a good walk in Ardtun just off the main road taking you to Fionhport, views over the sea towards Staffa, the Treshnish Isles and the cliffs of Ardmeanach are spectacular. At the peak of the headland there is a gully by the coast where you can find leaf fossils of deciduous trees that once grew beside a prehistoric lake.

On arrival at Fionnphort harbour, park up your car and enjoy 3 days without the stress of driving. Following your first night in your hand picked accommodation you will be ready to enjoy the delights of this most attractive little Island.

Ardtun and the Leaf Fossil Beds: 6.5km Ascent/Descent: 27m/40m

Today you are free to explore the tiny and spectacular Isle of Iona. The main site of historical importance is the 13th Century Abbey built on the site of St Columbas 6th Century monastery. The site is visited by modern day pilgrims and it is worthwhile spending time here to enjoy the peace and tranquillity. Wildlife to be seen includes wading birds such as curlew as they rise with their calls from the beaches and moors.

Also included in today's walk is a short climb up to the top of Dun I, the highest point of Iona at 101 metres. The view from the top is spectacular, looking down on the crystal clear waters, you could be mistaken for being somewhere in the Caribbean. The main wildlife draw is the corncrake, one of the rarest breeding birds in Britain. Even if you do not view the bird you may be lucky to hear it’s distinctive crex call that sounds like a finger being drawn along a comb.

Iona Loop Walk: 11.5km Ascent/Descent: 196m/196m

Embark on a journey to the beautiful uninhabited Isle of Staffa, the 'Island of Pillars'. This tiny island is home to summer colonies of puffins and one of Scotland's most magical places, the remarkable Fingals Cave. This sea cave is 20 metres long and formed of spectacular hexagonal basalt columns similar to those found at the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.

Wildlife spotting opportunities are in abundance here, puffins can be seen ashore in season as well as shags, oystercatchers and black guillemots. Also, you can often see razorbills, fulmars, kittiwakes, shearwaters gannets, great skuas and other birds from the boat. If you’re lucky, you might see a passing otter, porpoise, dolphin, basking shark or whale!

Weather permitting you will have up to 1 hour ashore to enjoy the location that over the years has captivated thousands of people including Johnson & Boswell, Queen Victoria, Robert Louis Stevenson.

Staffa Loop Walk: 1.7km Ascent/Descent: 59m/53m

Following breakfast you are ready to travel back to Mull and continue to colourful Tobermory for your next 3 nights. En route, there are many opportunities to stop off. Enjoy the views of Ben More, the highest mountain in Mull at over 3000 feet, giving it a famed ‘munro’ status. Golden eagles are a feature of these uplands and a site to behold as they soar along the ridges, make sure to bring your binoculars.

The most scenic way to get to Tobermory is to come off the main road connecting Fionhport to Craignure and go around the northern shore of Loch Scridain and Loch Na Keal. Around every corner, there is a photo opportunity. For today's walks, if you are up to the challenge and well prepared, the climb up to the summit of Ben More will give views rivalling any viewpoint in Scotland. Another shorter alternative is the walk up to Glenaros House in Salen giving fine views over the Sound of Mull. Don't forget to leave time for a picnic on the shores of Loch Na Keal if the sun is out.

Ben More: 9.5km Ascent/Descent: 960m/960m

Cnoc na Sroine, Salen: 6.5km Ascent/Descent: 142m/142m

After a long drive to Tobermory on the previous day, we suggest taking it easy today and making use of the excellent walking trails which are accessible from the centre of town. There is the fantastic Aros Park and its gardens of rhododendrons, woodlands of beech, hazel and oak surrounding a lochan filled with lilies, not forgetting the fine views looking back to the colourful capital of Mull. A walk through the Victorian estate allows you to view a lovely waterfall and a chance to see woodland bird species.

Another great walk is the Lighthouse Circuit, also leaving from the town centre giving great views over the water looking out at the Ardnamurchan peninsula, this is particularly scenic around sunset. For the more energetic, both walks shouldn't be a problem, and you will still have time to relax and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of Tobermory in the abundance of excellent local cafes and shops.

The town is also a base for whale watching and in the summer season, it is possible to take a boat trip out to search for marine mammals.

Lighthouse Circuit: 5.5km Ascent/Descent: 150m/150m

Aros Park Circuit: 5.5km Ascent/Descent: 147m/147m

It's time to hop back in the car and head west from Tobermory to explore more of this beautiful and diverse island.

Spectacular coastal scenery is the theme of today's walk on the west coast as you visit the Treshnish Headland, with its sculpted sea stacks, caves and arches eroded by the pounding sea. Views out to the west reveal the exposed Treshnish Isles strung out in a line. As at any high coastal point, it is always worth scanning the sea for whales, dolphins and porpoises as they blow, leap and roll through the food rich waters.

It is worth stopping off at Calgary Bay on the way, possibly Mull's most beautiful beach, there is a great cafe just up from the beach next to the Art in Nature sculpture trail.

Treshnish Coastal Walk: 11km Ascent/Descent: 146m/166m

Following breakfast you are ready to wish a sad farewell to the Isle of Mull, to head back to the mainland. If possible, we would recommend maximising your time by requesting an early evening ferry departure back to Oban at time of booking. 

If time allows, spend the day on the beautiful privately owned Island of Ulva which was once a thriving community of over 600 residents in the 1800's. The population is currently just 11 but big community efforts are in place to try and make this once thriving settlement an attractive place to move to, it certainly doesn't have to try too hard to win you over with its nature. The community are undertaking a plan of restoration, creation and collaboration. New-build homes sensitive in design and structure will be built and filled. New business will be encouraged and welcomed along with sustained support of the existing businesses that the island supports. Who knows, after spending the day here, you may be the next to enquire about a permanent move!

Please Note: The ferry over to Ulva only runs Mon-Friday and selected Sundays. If this day falls on the weekend, you could always visit earlier on in your tour.

If you only have limited time, don't forget to stop off and visit Duart Castle, only a 15 minute drive from the Ferry terminal and home of Clan Maclean. The setting as it sits on a coastal crag is quite remarkable.