The small Isle of Mull is hilly and lush. It is easy to drive around and explore this island on the few roads (mostly single-track). The island is also a good location for a day trip to Staffa & Iona.
Reaching Isle of Mull
Cal Mac (Caledonian MacBrayne), the main ferry company runs ferries from multiple ports on the mainland to the Isle of Mull, including:
* Oban — Craignure
* Lochalini — Fishnish
* Kilchoan — Tobermory
If planning on traveling on multiple ferries, look into the hopscotch tickets to save you a few GBP. Visit the CalMac website for timetable and pricing.
Things To See:
1) Tobermory
This small fishing village has a picturesque water-front lined with small shops, inns, a handful of restaurants and bars, and your local co-op. Tobermory is also home to the Tobermory Distillery. The white sandy Calgary Beach can be reached from here.
2) Tobermory Distillery
The local distillery offers a 45 minute guided tour (including one or two tastings) outlining their scotch whiskey making process. Located on the harbor front.
Day Trip Option:
Staffa & Iona
Staffa is an uninhabited island located 6 miles north of the Southeast port town of Fionnphort (on Mull). The island is known for the basalt columns that were formed from 3 separate volcanic eruptions. A trip to the island will allow you to walk into the basalt cave and explore this small island. A couple of companies (Staff Tours, Staff Trips) run a 3 hour trip to visit the island. The boat tours run from multiple port cities (Oban, Fionnphort, and Iona) and allow you an hour on the island to explore the cave and the cliff top.
Iona is located a mile across the channel from Fionnphort on the Island of Mull, this island should be explored on foot. The island is known for the Iona Abby, which dates back to the 6th century, when St. Columba arrived from Ireland and spread Christianity to Scotland and Europe. This restored Abby can be seen on a clear day from Fionnphort and from the water. Located a short walk (.5 mile) from the ferry port, the island is easy to explore on foot.
Combine the trips to Staffa and Iona for a day trip from Mull. If taking the boat from Fionnphort to Staffa (on the morning journey), on the return, disembark in Iona. Explore the island, and then return on the CalMac foot ferry. (Ferries run frequently between the two ports, about every 1/2 hour.) Note, no cars (except locals) are permitted on the island of Iona. Parking is available at the Fionnphort port, for a nominal hourly fee. (Note: Parking machine only accepts coins.) There is also free parking 100 yards off the Main Street, if you turn left just before reaching the ferry port, look for signs . Additionally, the port is busy with day-trippers (on buses) later in the day. The port and journey is quite peaceful in the mornings!
Accommodations
We struggled to find accommodations on short notice on the Island of Mull. After sending emails to inquiry about availability at almost two dozen locations (not to mention visiting booking.com, airb&b.com, and the individual websites of nearly as many B&B to check online availability), we found one accommodation available, in a caravan located behind a B&B in Salen. Summers appear to be busy. If you have a car, check outlying locations, as the island is small and fairly easy to get around.