Scotland: West Highlands, Mull and Iona 4-Day Tour

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Scotland: West Highlands, Mull and Iona 4-Day Tour

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Explore the scenic islands of Mull and Iona on a small group 4-day sightseeing tour that will take you to the remote sandy beaches, dramatic mountains, and ancient abbeys of Scotland’s West Highlands.

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Highlights

Explore the scenic and historic West Highlands of Scotland
Cross to the picturesque islands of Mull and Iona
Drive across the remote expanse of Rannoch Moor
Stay in the pretty harbor town of Tobermory
Discover the sandy beaches of Islay’s west coast

Description

Day 1: You leave Edinburgh and travel past Stirling Castle to the small bustling town of Callander. From here, you continue through the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and bristling terrain of the Trossachs, before reaching the wide and remote expanse of Rannoch Moor. Your drive north brings you to Glencoe, scene of the infamous massacre of Clan MacDonald in 1692. After a short ferry ride across Loch Linnhe, you meander through the impressive mountains of Morven to Lochaline, where we take another ferry to the Hebridean island of Mull. You arrive in Tobermory, the island’s capital, for our three-night stay. Tobermory, meaning ‘Well of Mary’, has brightly coloured houses looking over the sea and is often referred to as one of the prettiest harbour towns in Scotland. Day 2: You head south to Fionnphort, where you take a passenger ferry to the small island of Iona. Iona is an island of quiet charm, and is the cradle of Celtic Christianity. You have time to explore the island’s Abbey, and museum of history and Celtic heritage. There are magnificent Celtic crosses and headstones to see, or, alternatively, you can enjoy a stroll along the peaceful sandy beaches. In the afternoon, you have the opportunity to take a small boat for an optional trip to the island of Staffa, where nature enthusiasts can seek out the abundant marine life. Staffa is home to Fingal’s cave, which is one of the most amazing geological sites, and is known as ‘Nature’s cathedral’. After a day in the great outdoors, we return to Tobermory for the night Day 3: You drive to the remote areas of the island and visit the pretty settlement of Dervaig. From here, you venture to the wild thrashing sandy shores of Calgary Bay. And if you’re lucky, you may see the huge white tailed eagles that call this area home. An early afternoon return to Tobermory allows you to soak up the atmosphere of this pretty town. You have a chance to peruse the small shops, and the local Tobermory whisky distillery. Day 4: Departing Tobermory, we head south to Craignure for a short crossing to Oban, the biggest town in Argyll. Continuing west, you arrive in the whitewashed 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. After leaving the town, you arrive in the National Park of Loch Lomond and travel up more than 800 feet to the ‘Rest and be Thankful’ view. You continue to drive east towards Stirling, with opportunities for photos of the castle, before we return to Edinburgh in the early evening.

Includes

Transportation Driver/guide Bed and breakfast accommodation (3 nights) All ferry fares (excluding optional trip to Staffa)

Important Information

Transportation is by top of the range 16-seat Mercedes minicoach for a more personal experience
Please bring suitable clothing and footwear for country walks and be aware that Scotland can be a wet place
You're restricted to 14 kilograms (31lbs) of luggage per person on the tours. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag plus a small bag for onboard personal items
Minimum age to participate is 5 years
To maintain the integrity of the tour and ensure the best possible experience for all our customers, we limit bookings to a maximum of 8 passengers per group
Accommodation: Choose from a selection of small, locally owned guesthouses and B&B's. All rooms are en suite. B&Bs tend to be located on the outskirts of towns and you should be prepared for a 20-30 minute walk to local facilities like pubs and restaurants. If you have difficulty with stairs, please mention it to us as lifts will not be available in this type of property.